I was born with severe hearing loss, though it wasn't discovered until I was three. At that point, I did intensive learning in an effort to help me adjust to having hearing aids and for me to try to catch up in time for school. My parents sought to enroll me in a private school, but the school expressed concern with not having the personnel to accommodate my hearing loss, so I wasn't accepted. Therefore, I attended my local public school, and continued diligently learning and strengthening my listening and speaking skills. With the amount of time I invested in it and the support I received, it led me to pursue public speaking. In fifth grade, I won the public speaking state championship. My hearing loss began as a setback and weakness. It eventually gave way to a strength and victory. Two passages I'd like to close this paragraph with are 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are in middle school, I began to get overwhelmed with pressure, so much so that I started losing my appetite. I was eating less and less, and continued dropping weight. It got to the point where I became drastically underweight and the doctor wasn't sure I would live through the weekend, as my organs were faltering due to lack of nutrition. I was admitted to the hospital and spent my fourteenth birthday there. I was diagnosed with anxiety that had manifested into an eating disorder. It was a long road to recovery, but I eventually got to a stable weight and remained healthy. The verses I'd like to end this paragraph with are Psalm 103:4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy Psalm 39:7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Midyear my freshman year of high school, I transferred to a Christian school. It was a new experience having Bible class and chapel services. I also noticed something different with my peers. My junior year, one of my friends on the soccer team invited me to an event at his church. Strongman Steve Carrier from Mega Force Ministries was going to be demonstrating feats of strength. I went and watched the presentation. Carrier was also an evangelist, so he shared the gospel. I went forward at the altar call and spoke with him afterward. When I got home later that evening, it continued weighing on me. Finally, I decided to settle it once and for all. I began reading and came across Billy Graham's Peace with God ministry. It walked step by step through the gospel: I'm a sinner- I fall short (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for my sins (Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-9) and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). That night, at the age of 17, in my room by myself, I prayed and asked Jesus Christ to forgive my sins and I put my faith and trust in Him as my Lord and Savior. That night, I got saved. I would like to close this paragraph with the verse John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

My original plan after graduating high school was to attend a state school and study business. Being a fairly new believer, I decided to attend Word of Life Bible Institute first to become more grounded in my faith. I learned and grew a lot during that time, had the opportunity to serve in various ministries, and decided to then attend Liberty University. After graduating college, I married Erica. God laid on my heart the call to ministry and I went to seminary. After finishing seminary, Erica and I had a son named Jett. In addition to being blessed with family, God's faithfulness with His call to ministry has led me to serve as a hospital chaplain. To end this paragraph, the passages I'd like to close with are 1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

God doesn't promise it'll be easy; He promises He'll be with us. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) With Him, the future is as bright as the promises of God, and His promises are always bright. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) There are things that everybody wants, regardless of their age, background, etc.: Love, Peace, Joy, Freedom, etc. They're all found in Jesus. God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son... (John 3:16) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you... (John 14:27) These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36) There are mud puddles, and there's the ocean. The vast ocean of God's love, peace, joy, freedom, grace, and so forth. We can be done with the mud puddles and go enjoy His ocean. "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." C.S. Lewis "I'm nothing without my Savior, I'm everything with Him, and would not exchange Him for the whole world." I pray this serves as an encouragement to you. God's love for you is like the waves of the ocean - it keeps on coming. I pray that you come to that ocean - that you come to Jesus.

Thank You Dylan for Sharing Your Testimony to the WORLD!