Our Faith

When they were married, Annette was practicing the religion of their childhood, but Randy was not. Randy had become an agnostic and even asked the minister who married them to remove all references to God from their marriage ceremony. After they were married and as time went on, Randy went from being an agnostic to being an atheist. About the same time Randy and Annette became involved with a new group of friends in the Madison, Wisconsin, area though they had just moved from there to a suburb of Chicago. They had moved because Randy had taken a job in Chicago as a Quality Control Engineer, and Annette was employed in Elgin, Illinois, as a legal secretary.

As a result of our new associations, their move, a coworker of Annette's, and a friend of theirs named Mike, they became more aware of spiritual issues. Mike was a man Randy had worked with in the electronic field for two years before marrying Annette and moving to the Chicago area. He was a Christian who lived his faith. But it was through all of these things that Randy and Annette began to look at, question, and consider Christianity.

A woman Annette knew was giving her a Christian magazine to read on a regular basis, and during that time she began reading the New Testament. Then on Easter, 1982, while driving back to Bartlett, Illinois, were we lived, as Randy slept, she finally realized how much God loved her and how Jesus gave His life for her. She also realized that if she walked with Him, that He would only have her best in mind. As a result of this experience, a great peace came over her and her life began to change.

It was shortly after this that Randy began his quest by reading the New Testament and some Christian books, and four months later he too asked God to save him. As Annette, Randy also came to understand that the Bible is God's Word and that Jesus Christ did die on the cross for his sins, and that He rose from the grave three days later. He is alive!

Randy and Annette's lives have changed ever since they both prayed to accept Jesus, her while driving, and Randy while lying in bed. Though we could go on and tell you many more things, our concern is not that you know what has happened to us, but that you know Jesus personally. So for your convenience, we have listed biblical truths you need to understand as well as related Bible verses that state these facts.

• There is life after death: (Luke 16:22-25)
• There is a heaven: (Philippians 3:20)
• There is a hell and a final judgment: (Revelation 20:12-15)
• God's requirement for us is that we live a sinless life -- but this is impossible!: (Matthew 5:48)
• Why is it impossible? For we have all sinned: (Romans 3:23)
• God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for your sins: (Romans 5:8)
• If by faith you believe Jesus paid the penalty for your sins, He will save you if you ask Him, because salvation is a free gift from God for whomever will ask Him for it: (John 1:12); (Romans 6:23)
• If you were sincere in your prayer, you will be assured of a place with God for all eternity: (John 5:24); (1 John 5:11-13)

All passages quoted are taken from The New American Standard Version of the Bible, The Lockman Foundation, 1977.