Larry First

Along with my wife, Linda, I have been a member of Deerfoot Community Bible Church since Fall of 2002.

From as early as I can recall, I was raised going to church. The sad part of that is, for the first 5 years of my life, I had never even heard OF the Gospel, much less the details -- the Good News, itself.

The first time I heard that my sin would keep me from going to Heaven unless I accepted Christ's sacrificial death in payment for that sin, I didn't have to question whether I was a sinner. I suppose that is one great advantage to hearing the Gospel at an early age - before I could establish an “adult” alibi or gloat in the "credentials" of a so-called good life. So, at the age of 5, I was neither a drunkard nor a thief, but I knew I had done wrong things.

Accepting Christ didn't turn life into a bowl of cherries. I got in with the wrong crowd at school and although I didn't set fire to the teacher's lounge, I was definitely not growing as a believer, and my academics reflected my lack of concern. Although I regularly attended Sunday School and church, I was not letting what I heard make a difference in me. But during summer camp following the 8th grade, I realized for the first time that God had not merely provided "fire insurance" for me, but that He loved me... me, personally. That impacted me profoundly, and made me realize the debt of love I owed to Him in return. I wanted to repay Him by committing my life to Him.