By Gary King, Contributor
On July 10, 1952, my story begins when I was born to Charlie and Betty King in Jacksonville. I grew up on the west side, graduating from Paxon Senior High School in June 1970. I joined the United States Army right out of high school and was deployed for a tour of duty in South Vietnam after basic and advanced training.
When I was eight years old, I decided to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Like many, I strayed from Him as I grew older and during my time in the Army. When I returned home, I rededicated my life to serve Christ.
It was during this period in my life I began to sense a call into the Gospel Ministry. I welcomed the idea at first, but soon became reluctant when I contemplated my own inadequacies. During an extended time in prayer on Oct. 15, 1975, I surrendered to the will of God as He made clear to me, He would make me adequate.
As I began reading and studying the Scriptures in preparation for ministry, I was stirred up by things I read in my hometown newspaper, The Florida Times-Union, that misrepresented the Christian faith I had grown to love. I began writing letters to the editor defending the Christian worldview.
Those who knew me said I was a good writer and liked what I wrote. These early efforts at writing led to me penning articles under the umbrella of "Christian Concepts." My column appears weekly in the Lake City Reporter, the Madison-Enterprise Recorder and as a guest writer for the Riverbend News.
I consider my writing to be a natural extension of my preaching ministry and I believe I am a better writer than I am a speaker.
I returned to school at the age of 44, earning an Associate of Arts degree at the former Lake City Community College, now Florida Gateway College. In Jacksonville, I transferred to the University of North Florida to complete my Bachelor of Arts degree.
I eventually enrolled in Rockbridge Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree. Though I am by far older than most traditional students, I have contemplated pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Apologetics. I enjoy the rigor of the academic study.
My wife, Joyce Ann, grew up in Lafayette County and, when she retired as a physical therapist assistant, we decided to move back from Lake City to her hometown of Mayo.
I recently retired from the Florida Department of Corrections as a chaplain, but I am not retiring from serving Christ. I hope to continue in the ministry in pulpit supply, interim pastor or possibly a pastorate, wherever the Lord may lead.
It is good to be living in Mayo.