Eye Opener - Ministry Videos

As a child, our family attended churches whose pastors taught about a fiery hell, and I sure didn't want to go there. Therefore, at seven years of age, I made a profession of faith. When I walked the aisle, the minister failed to explain to me just what I was doing. Even, during his counseling session, he didn't help me find God. Afterward, I still had an overwhelming fear of the afterlife and impending doom. Between 1969 and 1970, we attended a church in Dallas, Texas. The church was really amazing and fun. There fluctuated between 6,000 and 8,000 people in attendance each Sunday morning with about 150 kids in my grade. The youth building had 12 floors. On one floor there was a skating ring with a restaurant, and on another floor there was a bowling alley, a weight room, and a Gym. On one occasion, our church even rented out Six Flags over Texas for a night. Going to that church was like going to church heaven. It was a blast. I really loved the pastor of that church. His name was W. A. Criswell, and was very well known around that time frame. As a twelve year old boy, I watched Dr. Criswell, and observed that he was loving and kind. It was as though his face radiated light. Dr. Criswell would preach exclusively about Jesus each Sunday night. When Criswell spoke, I felt the presence of God. (www.wacriswell.org)Just before the eighth grade, our family moved to Tupelo, Mississippi. While in Tupelo, I still had a lingering fear of hell. Every time a visiting evangelist spoke at our church I'd surrender my life to Christ all over again. However, no matter what I did. I just couldn't find peace. As a tenth grader, I got disgusted with Christianity, reading the Bible, and going to church because it just wasn't real to me. I didn't know Christ, so I considered renouncing my faith. As I thought about doing this, I remembered W.A. Criswell and said to myself I believe W.A. knew God. However, I said. If there is a God, I don't k