By the time I was 19 years old I was restless. I knew that something was missing in my life and I had a suspicion that it was God. My best friend invited me to a youth retreat where, for the first time, I heard the Gospel preached. I could actually have a loving, personal relationship with the Creator of the universe through His Son. I became a Christian during that retreat.
I first attended Lake Avenue Church in 1990 at the invitation of my supervisor at JPL, James Stoker, a long-time member of the church and became part of the Salt & Light Sunday School Class (which no longer exists). While I enjoyed my work as a system administrator, I felt restless once again, not in terms of a spiritual lacking, but in terms of my life calling. The Holy Spirit had sparked a fire within me. I needed to learn more about God and about the Christian worldview. So I attended Fuller Theological Seminary as I continued working at JPL.
A degree in theology from Fuller was not enough. I needed to continue my studies. The leading of the Holy Spirit became so strong that in 1996 I decided to leave JPL and move to St. Louis, MO to pursue graduate studies in philosophy.
After graduation I returned to Southern California, began to work at Cal State Northridge, and once again attended Lake. But after a couple years, I found my restlessness returning. The Holy Spirit was prompting me to live and work, for a time, in the land of my forefathers, Ecuador. I lived in Quito, Ecuador for four years and worked for HCJB Global and SEMISUD, a theological seminary.
I’ve been back in Southern California with my wife and children since 2008, worshiping at LAC once more.
“I’ve been back in Southern California with my wife and children since 2008, worshiping at LAC once more.”
I attend the Crossroads Sunday School Class and am involved with the Scripture and Science Forum here at Lake. I serve the Lord through teaching philosophy at Pierce College and through writing articles on theology and philosophy. For now I am not restless, for the Lord has led me to green pastures fulfilling my life calling. Laudem Deo.
Miguel became an LAC member a few months ago. For more information how to become a member visit http://membership.lakeave.org.