Yesterday in Part 1 of A Funny Thing Happened on my Way to Becoming A Pastor, I shared about the decision to begin to study for ministry and a reading a book that has been key in my life.
Today is Part 2- A Discovery and Downfall Begins.
While I was studying at the school I went to in Minneapolis, a discovery was made at a time some language “experts” would not think possible. I had the wonderful opportunity to study Greek and Hebrew the original languages of the bible. I loved those classes. They were my favorite ones during my time there.
Studying Greek and Hebrew led me to a discovery about myself. I have an aptitude for languages. That discovery would play a role for me later.
In the summer of 1993, I began to feel tired and low on energy. I dismissed it as being out of shape. Beginning in the middle of 1st semester, I began to need a nap every day due to how I was feeling.

During 2nd semester my health kept getting worse. It got to the point that I would fall asleep sitting in a booth in the coffee shop/mailroom area and miss a class.
I had also begun to realize that I would not be able to continue in the denomination the school was a part of due to not being able to affirm core beliefs of the denomination.
By March 1994, I knew I would not be able to finish the semester due to my declining health. I had visited Crystal Lake Free Church and while there felt God calling me to attend First Free Church Lincoln upon my return to my city.
In April 1994, I loaded up my clothes into my Chevette to return to my city. I shared a post a few years ago about that trip- $10 in quarters, A Chevette and 430 miles to go.
I came back to my city thinking I was coming back to die. More on that in my next post.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
I am thankful you are alive to write this! ❤
I am thankful I met you ❤️
💸🚗🙏💕
Thanks for sharing, dad. I’m enjoying the read. ❤
Thank you sweet daughter ❤️
Wow. Thankful it wasn’t what you thought would happen. Thank God for preserving you thus far, big bro. 🙌 He is a good father!.
Amen 🙏
Somehow, when wondering how you were feeling going back home, I’m reminded of Joseph’s journey and wondering how he felt in Egypt and then in prison… It’s always easier to see in hindsight how God has used circumstances to put you just where He needs you.
Wow brother Matt…you really walk in faith. Tested several times….
Yet you stand…
Greek and Hebrew too.
Wow who knew!
Eagerly waiting to know….
Some bits more…
Thanks for sharing…
💐🤩😍🤗🙏🏼
Thank you 🙏 little sister. Jesus loves you 🤗😇😍🤗😇😍🤗😇😍
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙂🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼