From the Firehouse to Faith: Why I Chose to Follow Jesus
I didn’t grow up planning to write about my faith. In fact, there was a time I wasn’t even sure I had one. And to be honest, I’m still not sure I’m qualified to tell this story. I haven’t always been a Christian. I didn’t come from a long line of Bible scholars or grow up quoting Scripture. This is my faith testimony as a firefighter — not perfect, not polished, just honest and real.
I had a fulfilling career as a firefighter/paramedic, a strong work ethic, and a good life by most people’s standards.
But underneath it all, something deeper was smoldering.
On the surface, everything looked fine. I wasn’t making reckless decisions or spiraling into disaster. From the outside, there was no sign of a fire. But if my fire service career taught me anything, it’s this:
Just because you don’t see the fire doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
There were questions I hadn’t faced. Moments I had ignored. Warning signs I brushed off.
But it wasn’t until I turned 35 years old that I began to intentionally consider my faith.
I wasn’t in crisis. I wasn’t at rock bottom. I was simply… searching.
Quietly. Slowly. I guess in prayers to God in my mind—asking questions I hadn’t asked before.
People don’t expect their world to change in an instant — but in my job as a firefighter/paramedic, I was seeing it happen over and over again. One moment, someone was living their life like any other day. The next, they were gone.
And it wasn’t just the calls I responded to. It became personal.
My wife and I had recently lost young, close family members on both sides of our family. Death was no longer something that happened to strangers — it had hit home. Then came something even more devastating: a miscarriage. No amount of training or preparation could have braced us for that kind of loss.
The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore
It was during that time that I stumbled across a Christian radio station one morning on my way to the station. I almost changed it… but didn’t. The man speaking was Pastor Greg Laurie. At first, I remember thinking, “This guy is actually pretty funny.” But what surprised me more was that what he was saying made sense.
I started listening daily — quietly, privately, not telling anyone.
The crazy thing was, I could relate to so many of the stories he told. He didn’t sound like a preacher — he sounded like a regular guy. He talked about people who had led him to faith, and I knew similar people in my own life. I had written them off as “Jesus Freaks.” Looking back, I’m ashamed to admit that… but at the time, that’s exactly how I saw them.
Eventually, I told my wife.
I remember hesitating before saying, “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but… I’ve been listening to this radio show on my way to work.”
She didn’t think I was crazy at all. In fact, she admitted she had been having similar thoughts — wrestling with life’s deeper questions.
The Fire I Didn’t See Coming
One call in particular taught me a lesson I’ll never forget.
We arrived at a home with no visible smoke or fire. Everything looked fine on the outside. But inside the attic, the fire had already begun to spread. Had we ignored it, the damage would’ve been devastating.
That attic fire? It was my life.
I thought everything was okay — but I was burning from within. I needed a rescue.
The Knock I Had Been Ignoring
In Revelation 3:20 (NIV), Jesus says:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
That’s exactly what I experienced.
Eventually, I answered that knock.
I said the same prayer Greg Laurie offered at the end of his broadcasts. And though there were no lightning bolts or dramatic signs, I felt peace — real peace — for the first time. A weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying was lifted.
I told my wife Annie what I had done. She listened with support and love in her eyes. I think she had already seen the change in me. That conversation sealed something in my heart. I wasn’t turning into someone else — I was instead becoming who I was meant to be.
To learn more about Pastor Greg Laurie and his teachings, visit harvest.org.
The Prayer That Changed Everything
If you’ve made it this far, maybe it’s not by accident. Maybe you’re feeling what I felt — like something in your heart is stirring. If so, then you might be ready for this same prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, but I believe You died on the cross for me.
I now turn from my sin and receive You as my Savior and my Lord.
I choose to follow You from this day forward.
Thank You for calling me and accepting me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.”
That was it. Just a simple, heartfelt prayer — but when you truly mean it, you become a child of God. Not someday. Not after you’ve cleaned up your life. Right then and there — instantly.
Why This Story Matters
If you’re wondering if you’ve gone too far, messed up too badly, or waited too long — please hear this:
Grace is a free gift.
You don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus.
You just have to open the door.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.
— Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
This story isn’t just mine. It can be yours too.
The alarm is sounding. This is your moment.
Will you answer it?
Want to learn more about me? Check out My About Me page.