Thomas Wayne Rice Research Paper

Every Sunday my mother would force me into my church dress with the itchy lace, and white ankle-socks with the big, puff bow. We would walk into St. John A.M.E. Church and sit in age-old pews, singing Negro Spirituals that I had not yet learned to appreciate. Growing up, church consisted of sermons, praise, and family. For years I would automatically participate in the church activities and youth-group service projects, taking the many lectures about education a grain of salt. However, I never understood the true meaning of service and the importance of education until I learned about the history of Huntsville, Alabama. The founder of St. John African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, and the founder of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU), William Hooper Councill, truly exemplified what it meant to serve his community.

Although, I still lived in the same patterns of sin and found myself living a lie as Sunday Christian. Fast forward to when I was 15. I got back from summer camp with a desire to study God’s word that was never there before as the message “stop beholding yourself and start beholding the Lamb” struck a chord in me, and my life began to change. Shortly after camp my family moved, the anxiety that had not been present in my life for the past 5 years, now was something I dealt with nearly

I was a Follower of Christ and I didn’t even know it. I was the last of three boys to two faithful Christian parents. My parents attended St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, OH. I was baptized and confirmed by the same Bishop. Some of my earliest memories are of me standing in the pews with my parents and stacking the prayer books as if it were my own pulpit and I would pretend to be the priest giving the Sunday sermon. I didn’t know what he was talking about but I always thought that I would be like him one day. I was an acolyte and attended the youth programs regularly with my friends. I completed my studies to earn my God and Country award with the Boy Scouts.

Robert Alton Harris was born January 15th, 1953 in North Carolina. HIs mother, Barbara Harris was only six and a half months pregnant when she had to deliver Harris due to her husband kicking her in the stomach. Harris’s father accused Barbra of having an affair with another man and thought that the child was not his. So, in a drunk fir of rage, he pushed and kicked his wife, causing her to have to deliver Harris at onlysix and a half months. Barbara felt resentment towards Harris, and in turn began abusing him just as her husband abused her. While most of the nine Harris children were abused in the household, his siblings agreed that Robert was abused the most. As a child, Harris had a speech impediment, as well as a learning disability, Harris became a target for bullying in his school. Harris would come home from being teased at school, to being abused at home by his parents. As a young adult Harris would often take his frustrations out by killing animals, mainly cats and dogs, while laughing maniacally according to his brother, Daniel Harris By the age of fourteen, Rover was sent to a federal

Who Am I? I'm Malik Shaw, I've just recently in the past year made Jesus Christ my lord and savior. I can admit that it has been hard staying on the right track, but everyday I've been seeing him relay messages that help me in my daily walk in life through other people. Even though life has been hard for me I'm very fortunate. I realized in my time at Richmond Christian that a fall can humble you, but you will only change when you actually sit down, watch and totally understand that God has made a way for you. I can say that I was suppose to have been down and out for the count, but God held me up. When the devil threw his firsest punches at me. I was one day sitting in my room and a song that my favorite guitar player, pastor Johnathan dubose jr, was playing at an event and the words of the song said" I don’t believe he brought me this to leave me, nobody told me this road would be easy and I don’t believe he brought me this far

What was the process of my conversion like? I’ll begin with this year, all the way back to my trip in Guatemala. I struggled to understand what belief was and what being a follower of Christ really was. I was trying to understand the faith with my own intelligence, which constantly failed me. On top of that I was living without morals, saying, doing, and thinking whatever I pleased. This all, plus sickness, made my trip to Guatemala very challenging. As the year went on I still tried to live in Christ on my own will, which isn’t living in Christ at all. I would read his word but only some days instead of every day. What I didn’t realize is that I need his word every day. Because this world is evil and unclear, but his word gives ultimate clarity.

The rest of the week went extremely quickly; I’ve never learned more about my spiritual relationship with God. Not a single day at Gull Lake Ministries was the same. There was always a new adventure to discover. Whether it was making friends, playing games, or jumping off a one-hundred-foot tower, camp was always entertaining and fun. I found that the “camp high” that my friends had told me about was real, and it changed me for the better. My first year at camp had been made a success through the combined efforts of the counselors, the staff, and my newfound friends. I have returned to Gull Lake six times since my first year, and

The camp withholds a deep, meaningful sense to me and inundates my soul in a spiritual atmosphere. The peace I am able to feel at the Camp is unprecedented, and I have come to realize it is due to the perfect combination of nature and God´s presence. From the very first minute we get there and are able to witness the alluring sight, we are able to feel peace and an overwhelming feeling of joy. These sensations intensify during worship at the chapel, supported by the psalms sung by everyone in the crowd. When I worship God, I praise him for all the good he has done in my life. I also ask Him for wisdom and a clear perspective so I can see how I should live my life. It is unbelievable how I can actually feel his presence in that place, and how He embraces me when I need it the most. The camp is also a great opportunity for some students to give their life to Christ, or if they have wandered off his presence, they are able to reconnect once

I became a Christian in 1982 while in high school. I had never attended church prior to Easter 1982. I found something interesting in the whole of the service and decided to read a Bible. The Bible made some sense to me. I had a few questions about some of the stuff that had happened and was given Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. Well that answered most of my questions. I was also given Mere Christianity which answered more questions. I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit and asked G-d to come into my life and forgive me of my sins.

I was a Christian, but I would tell myself I was not nearly as strong in my faith as some other people on the mission trip were. I had shut God out of life for an entire year and wasn’t sure if I’d get him back. However, I found out that all you have to do is say yes to God’s plans and He will take care of the rest, no matter how inexperienced, unequipped, or unprepared you think you are. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is trying to make you something else is a great accomplishment.” That quote I have lived by. I use to give in to society and be someone I knew I wasn’t. I now know I am that happy and bubbly girl that has the most contagious smile. I know I am a girl who lends a helping hand to those who need it most. I know I am a girl who has future goals and accomplishments. I want to stay close with God and continue to pursue a career as a psychiatric nurse, and alcoholic dependency counselor. I want to be able to save lives that are worth living for, something that I didn’t have. Though my life has been no were near perfect, I was still able to find out who I

Founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Iona Prep opened its doors to its first class of thirty-seven eager young men in 1916. Leading the charge was Br. Joseph Ignatius Doorely, the school's first principal, whose mission was to create a community of faith and service in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice.

The day I became a believer, I was in middle school and attending summer camp at Hume Lake. I had always been a “good kid” and part of a church going family. Yet, I did not know the Lord for myself. I’ll never forget the speaker we had at camp. Chris Simning had many physical ailments that caused him to experience pain and suffering for much of his life. I could relate instantly to what he shared. He was now passionate for Jesus, who carried him through these terrible experiences. I realized then I was a sinner in need of a Savior and only Jesus could save me from myself. I took refuge in the promise found in John 6:47 that says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” I, too, desired to be saved and to follow God with all of my

Every summer during my elementary years I attended a Christian summer camp called Camp Thurman. After experiencing the great joy of many years of fun-filled weeks, I chose to spend my summers in high school working at this camp as a counselor. Without having the honor of working at this camp, I would not be the person I am today.

I was baptized as an infant and accepted Jesus as my savior when I was four years old. The Lord blessed me with Christian parents and the opportunity to grow up always hearing the Word. We are members of New City Fellowship of Fredericksburg. It is a PCA church with an intentional cross-cultural vision. My family and I are very involved in our church. We actively participate in worship, small groups, Bible study and serving where the Lord calls us. Personally, I am part of a small group and a mentorship Bible study group for older teen girls lead by some of the older women. Before the mentorship group, I was in youth group. This mentorship group has helped further my knowledge and understanding of God’s word.

My leaders started to notice me and care for me in a way I had never felt before. Finally that summer I decided to go on a camp trip with them. Little did I know that the speaker that week would tell me a message that would open my eyes to concepts I had heard but not realized were truth. I heard that the Lord loved me unconditionally as my Heavenly Father. I learned that he cared for me, every second of the day, no matter what. He cared for me so much that he sent his only son to die for me. No matter how broken I was, he continued to give me attention and care I lacked as a child. That week I found hope in Christ. I had decided to start my new life and relationship with