Tony's Story

Well, a bit about me. I am a graduate of Crown College, though that's just the end of the odyssey. I spent most of my childhood on the mission fields of Mexico and Italy. When I was not there, I was sampling IFB'dom in America.

Our home church was First Baptist Church, Milford, Ohio - Dr. Charles Keen - Great man! Still the best pastor I have ever had! I spent one year at Longview Baptist Temple - Dr. Bob Gray. I spent my senior year at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Colorado Springs - Dr. Dean Miller (I was kicked out a week before graduation for "rebellion" and actually graduated from Lighthouse Baptist Church's school in Wyoming - Dr. Gary Knouf). My freshman year of Bible College was spent at P.C.C. My sophomore year was spent at Oklahoma Baptist College - Dr. Jim Vineyard. I finished at Crown College, Powell, TN - Dr. Clarence Sexton. I have been at most of the other schools and churches in the movement, many supported our family...West Coast, Golden State, Trinity - Fl, Midwestern, Hyles Anderson, to name some.

Where am I today? I have been pastoring a bilingual church in Vineland, NJ for the past 9 years. I have been on a journey to grasping and living grace and relationship. The Lord has done amazing things in my life! I am not angry or bitter at any of these people or institutions, though I have my share of bad experiences. The Lord used many experiences in my life to bring me to where I am today, and none of it has been wasted. I believe that most of the people in the movement I came from are very sincere and love the Lord. I am grateful for Christ being lifted up in any way shape or form!

Today, I profoundly disagree with many of the tenents of my roots. Though I am technically still a fundamentalist, as I unapologetically stand for the fundamentals of the faith. That term has become so attached to a certain strident and dogmatic strain of Christianity that it makes me a little nervous to use it. I have moved away from Legalism, Arminianism, KJVonlyism, Dispensationalism, Easy-believism, Secondary-separationism (did I just coin a phrase?) and assorted other "isms". I have moved MUCH closer to Christ. I have never been more in love with Him and less impressed with myself than I am today. I started out as a young hot shot determined to Pastor the next "big" church. He has truly broken me and shown me the wickedness, arrogance and idolatry of my heart. Blessed be HIS name! I started out with all of the answers; now I realize more than ever how clueless I am. I praise His name for His mercy in my life. If any of my experiences can be a blessing to you, praise His name!