Stories of Proximity- NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Kelly was one of those guys who looked perfect on the outside and seemed to have this Christian life figured out.  Go to church, pray before every meal, be a good person and hopefully, people will see your life and want to do the same.  He had been raised in church since his earliest memory.  Whenever the church doors were open, his family was there.  His Grandfather was an Elder, his uncles were Deacons, and he lived in a sheltered "Bubble".  He remembers being baptized in the 6^th grade at a Youth Rally and the positive feelings he felt, but he doesn't remember it changing his life in any significant way.

In high school, as he began to make decisions for his own life, he drifted away from church.  He went to a Christian University, where he had to take Bible classes, but beyond that, he had little interest in church.  His girlfriend, who he had met in high school, found the Lord and began growing in her faith before joining him at college.  They got married and moved to Dallas, but still, Kelly did not lead them to church.  It wasn't until they moved to Bentonville that Kelly decided they needed to repeat the model in which he was raised.

He got involved with a church and became a Bible study leader and a regular member.  However, in the midst of doing what he knew to be right, he did not have a real relationship with Christ.  One of his customers invited him to join a Journey group.  The customer assured him that his decision to participate would have no bearing on their business relationship, but Kelly felt a little obligated to check it out.

From the moment he read The Journey to the Inner Chamber, he was challenged and intrigued.  This book said nothing about going to church, but described this personal relationship with Christ and a daily walk with Him.  He really engaged with the process, doing the assignments and journaling scripture and prayers.  These were all brand new concepts to this kid raised in the church.

Soon, Kelly's priorities began shifting, and he was finding fulfillment in his Christian walk.  This started spilling over into his family.  He was shocked when his wife and his Mom and Dad told him they saw a change in him.  He seemed kinder, less angry, more happy than they had ever seen him.  When the process ended, he knew he did not want to fall away, and he challenged himself to lead some other men.  He was intimidated and did not feel qualified, but he felt the calling and he trusted the Spirit.

Now, he is seeing the blessing of living out the Great Commission, as he gets to witness life-change occurring in others.  Kelly is so grateful God guided him to The Journey.  He ranks this experience as one of the most significant in his entire spiritual walk.  Now, his Dad has joined a Journey group, as well!