The Salo Family

My Personal Testimony...

I was born and raised in a God-honoring, Christian home. I praise God for giving me loving parents that saw fit to raise me in a home where He is the center and is glorified. Our family was always among the most active in the local church. We were at most services, participated in the local church organizational structure and joined in various events.

I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior at the age of twelve after hearing the Gospel for so many years in various church activities. I believed in my heart and mind He is God's Son and came to Earth to save us. I was baptized in January 1980. During this time I was what you would call a "Sunday Christian." Essentially, when I was around the church or my family, I was a "good Christian boy." At school I was someone different. This lifestyle lasted through college.

After college, I took a job several hundred miles from home. In the beginning I tried to find a church to call home. I searched for one that would "permit" my lifestyle as I saw fit to live. Being unsatisfied in finding such a church, I stopped looking. Instead, I continued in my life on my own, putting God on the shelf. I still believed He is Divine, His Son Jesus died to save my sins and was raised again three days later. I just didn't give Him control of my life.

In October 1995 I decided this employer did not have the growth pattern I desired for my career. So, I sought elsewhere. Given it was a small (but very nice) town, the opportunities elsewhere in the community were limited. Several friends had taken jobs as consultants in various areas of the country so I considered that as well. I also felt I should consult God. I told Him I wanted another job and asked Him to lead me. This prayer was somewhat halfhearted; it seemed like the "right" thing to do.

I ended up moving to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. I spent several summers there while in college so was somewhat familiar with the area. Once I got settled, I figured I would do the "right" thing again and ask God for a church home. Again, I desired to find one that "met" my lifestyle. In March 1996 I was introduced via a direct mailing to Evergreen Community Church. This church had what I desired most: a contemporary, upbeat worship service. I prayed that God would start to take control of my life.

In June 1996 the Billy Graham Evangelical Association held crusades in Minneapolis' Metrodome. Despite avoiding Billy Graham whenever his crusades were on television while growing up, I ended up going to every service. Even though I was not one of the many who went forward during these services, the Lord really worked on my heart! They are an example of how God changed my heart and got me back in tune with Him.

I continued to be involved in the various activities at Evergreen Community Church. I participated in some small groups, helped serve cookies and punch and helped in the nursery. One suggestion I learned from Evergreen was keeping a journal during your quiet time with the Lord. I started doing this rather than reading the morning paper. These times of reflection on God's Word allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my life.

After a couple of years I wanted more in my walk with Christ. This included a deeper teaching of God's Word. I ended up leaving Evergreen for Crystal Evangelical Free Church. They had the contemporary worship service I preferred along with the deeper, stronger teaching of walking with Christ. I continued attending Crystal until I moved back to Upper Michigan in May 2004.

God has been with me during many changes in my life! The biggest (and best) change in my life is meeting and marryiing Sara!! She is such a blessing from God!!! It is God who brought Sara and me together; He is the sustainer of our life together!

Jesus is ready, waiting for you too. All you need to do is call on Him in faith. He will be there for you. If there is one lesson I have learned in my walk with Jesus it is that the decision to follow Him is not only intellectual; it is not only knowing stories from Sunday School or being a "good" person. It is not sufficient to simply give time or money to the church or charitable organizations. We cannot earn our place in heaven; it is freely given to us. All we need to do is receive it.