1.21.2009
It was 1997 and I was off to "Jesus School." Now before anyone reading this gets up in arms- I am very thankful for my education I received at Roanoke Bible College (actually in Elizabeth City, NC). The biblical training I got, the mentoring from older students and professors, the life experience there... all appreciated and needed.
Okay, now that being said... I didn't really fit too well. Being a city kid with long hair, piercings, tattoos, loving metal and straight edge music; I didn't really slide into the mold of the typical student.
Another big thing standing in my way was that I was still a lot of things that aren't normally what you look for in a future pastor: A liar. A thief. An abuser. A womanizer. A deceiver. And the list goes on. I learned really quick that sharing your past meant one of two things:
- People would shun you from their social groups or
- By noon, everyone would know your story and people all across the Bible belt would soon know as well.
I would go into people's dorm rooms and have an inner war going on that no one could see... "Should I take that (name the item) when no one's looking? No! Don't do it. You're here for a reason. Stop thinking those things." Or maybe it was in conversation... "Should I lie to impress these people and tell them I'm fine? Yeah, because if they find out the real you, no one will accept you." Even in class... "Jason, you can totally cheat on this test. No one even covers their papers. NO! Stop telling me to do this stuff. I want to be a better man. Stop it!"
Yeah. Imagine living in that on a daily basis. It was not picnic
In the process I joined a band and we started playing shows, toured, and also fed my appetite for ego and sin. I'll explain next time the not-so-pretty picture...
I hear good things about your Ministry up there...and I wish you well. God has changed alot of us from what we were in Bible college...that is pretty intresting isn't it...
Check out Brandon Heath's song...
"I'm not who I was" that is like the sound track of my Christian walk.
Peace and Love.
Nick Vipperman