One week after I had brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, I received a call from Mark Collum. (Mark is the lead singer for a Christian contemporary praise and worship band named Empyreal.) Mark said the he had used the account of my doctor’s visit. He told the church of the report I received, an incurable brain cancer. He shared my response to it, that I am believing in God, his healing power and the authority of God’s Word (the Bible). He followed up by giving the people the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or to recommit their lives to Jesus. He then sang the song “Praise You in The Storm” by Casting Crowns. Mark told me the response was very good to the altar call.

Mark’s account touched me deeply. I am very blessed that anything I have done would lead someone to love my best friend, Jesus Christ.

After I received the call, I said to my Mother that I had an idea. I wanted to build a website dedicated to those who are believing and trusting God in difficult situations. We could place my story on the site and encourage others to send their stories in as well.

I was reminded of the Bible verse, Revelation 12:11 (New Living Translation) “And they defeated him (satan) because of the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and because of the word of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die.” Our stories and testimonies could lead others to trust in Jesus Christ and give them hope (a persistent confident expectation of something good). Nancy, my wife, and I prayed about the website and asked God for His plan. And that is the simple goal of this website- to bring stories of hope to those in need.

But how would I turn an idea into a plan and a plan into a product? After several prayers with my wife a good friend of mine, Jim Nivens, referred me to Scott Page, Chief Executive Officer of Trackside Marketing Group, LLC. (www.tracksidemarketing.com) Scott listened carefully as I told him of the vision of I believed God had lain on my heart. At the end of our meeting, Scott agreed to work with us in bringing the website to reality. He donated his expertise, time, effort and materials to the newly named site- rejoicinginhope.org.

That evening, September 28, 2006, two weeks after brain surgery and the removal of the cancerous tumor, God blessed me with this wonderful new assignment. My hope and prayer is that everyone who reads the stories on these pages will know the hope that comes only from above. May God richly bless you with his full and abundant life.