William Long
My salvation experience is from the time I was very young, I was raised in a household with what I would call dueling religions. My dad was a practicing Catholic and my mom was a member of the Evangelical Church. When it came time for me to attend classes, dad never signed me up to attend so my mom signed me up in her church to attend their Sunday School classes. When I was in my early teens, I began to question Catholicism the only answer my dad could come up with was “because that’s what you do”. This made me no longer interested in the Catholic Religion. At this point, I continued to attend the Evangelical church with my mom. My grandma developed cancer and ultimately passed. Because it was her dying wish, I continued classes and was confirmed in the Evangelical Church. I was confused about God and did not understand His plan for me so I fell away from the Church altogether. Fast forward to around 2010, Cathie’s grandfather passed away and his wish was that we all get back to church. The only church we knew was her other grandparent’s church, Cornerstone Community Church of God. This is the church that both Katelyn and Brandon were dedicated to God at their wish. Before this, we only attended on major holidays (Easter and Christmas). By going back to church, I realized that my knowledge of religion was nowhere near what I believed it was. I thought I knew a lot since I had attended Sunday school with my mom when in reality I knew virtually nothing. I began studying the Bible and asking questions about salvation. After going to church on a regular basis for 2-3 years, both my daughter and I got baptized. Following this, the rest of the family professed their faith and got baptized. After attending Cornerstone for about 6 years, the family and I began to feel that there was no spiritual growth happening. At this same time, there was a falling out in the church and we felt no longer welcome, so we began looking for a new church home.
My family is a multi-generational Christian family living under one roof. Katelyn is a Freshman in college attending Missouri State University in Springfield. Brandon is a junior at Northwest High School. Cathie is a special educator currently at Special School District. I am a civil engineer currently working for St. Louis County in the Planning Department. Joy is a retired special educator of 22 years.
I have been a member of Concord Church for 6 years. From the time we walked into the building, we were welcomed into the Concord Family. Having a nephew with severe special needs, Concord has wrapped their arms around us and made us feel at home.
What interests me about this role is I am willing and able to serve the Concord family in any and all ways possible.
The Full Armor of God is the most important Bible verse in my life. Although more than one verse, tells the story of who I attempt to emulate every day of my life.
Ephesians 6:10-17 The Amor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
One strength that I would bring to the Deacon Team is that I am outgoing and personable. I am able to make connections with almost everyone I meet.