THE PREACHER’S STORY
From humble beginnings to a higher purpose
Iwas born outside of Bathurst, N.B., in a place called Canobie. I lived there with my eight siblings on a farm where the cash crop was mainly alders. These were hard times and I remember going to bed hungry a number of times. Our home was an old rundown farmhouse with no indoor plumbing nor electricity. You could see right through the walls in some places. We never owned a radio or a TV.
I had a sweet and Godly mother who kept the home together. My father never seemed to hold a steady job. I remember he played the harmonica quite well. Sometimes I would pick up a broom and pretend it was a guitar while attempting to accompany Dad as he played harmonica. There was one occasion when Dad said to my mother, “Would
you get that kid a guitar—he is driving me crazy with that broom.” My dad bought a $10 Stella guitar from a man who worked at the mines. Since we did not have a radio, I just wrote my own songs. This launched my music career.
My hopes of success were shattered when I got to Grade 8. A teacher convinced me my future would be to take over my dad’s farm and get myself a new tractor. She said I would probably marry a poor girl. Since my mother taught me to respect my elders, I thought my teacher knew what she was talking about and I began to believe I was dumb and stupid with no chance in life. I spent three years in Grade 8.
During high school, I got a job working at a fried-chicken outlet and worked my way up to weekend boss. At graduation, the boss made me an o er. He would give me five per cent of the company as a gift and I had the option of buying the company with my earnings. I bought the company. I married my childhood sweetheart and we had three children. It was not long before I had three stores, a restaurant in the shopping mall, and a mobile canteen that moved wherever the crowds were. My businesses were in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I found myself enjoying a rags-to-riches lifestyle— having a home on the golf course, fancy cars and all the toys big boys enjoy. I bought an electric guitar and amp and began playing lead guitar in several bands. I enjoyed that for a while, but a nagging emptiness remained in my heart. I began a spiritual quest to see if there was anything beyond this life. I got out a dusty old Bible a priest had given my wife and me when we got married and I began to read. Long story short, my search ended beside my sons’ bed one night when I sought God’s forgiveness and asked Christ to save my soul.
My life was completely changed as I turned from the emptiness of smelly barrooms and the hopelessness of material things to embrace a life of real hope. I ended up going to Bible College and pastored a small rural church before returning to the college to teach for nine years. I left the college to found a charitable organization
called Furtherance Ministries in 1998, which is still active today.
I had continued to write songs throughout the years, but I was now writing gospel songs. I was asked if I would consider recording if funds were made available. I agreed and an interest-free loan was secured for the first recording. I went on to record another seven projects after that.
God used humble beginnings and material success to bring me to a higher purpose. I have so enjoyed His blessing and guidance in my life. I am blessed to have a wonderful family and ministry, and to have travelled throughout Canada and abroad, preaching and performing as a way to bring the message of hope and joy to people everywhere. My hope is to resume a busy schedule when the world reopens after Covid-19. ■