Testimony of
Jason Crebo
Long time personal friend of the Andres'
Valued member of
Open Door Baptist Church
Missoula, MT
Table of Contents
1. Jason Crebo, #37
2. Early on
3. Sports
4. My Roommate was Different
5. Conviction
6. Confirmation
7. Feeling Worse
8. A Pamphlet
similar to this One
9. Jesus Came
10. How about You?
11. A New Start
12. Example: Prayer of
Repentance
13. Thanks
14. It had been an
Undefeated Season
15. Place an Order
"My Pursuit"
Jason Crebo, #37
(John 3:7 "...you must be born again ...")
3 time All American and Big Sky Conference Defensive Most
Valuable Player
With merely seconds left in the game, "The Kick" brought the score
to 22-20. As the clock hit zeros, 32,000 fans were screaming our
victory and swarming the field. The University of Montana Grizzlies
had just won their First national Championship! I stood in the midst
of it all, realizing this was the culmination of my training, hard
work, achievements, and goals. I was where I always wanted to be and
yet the thought of my heart was:
"THERE'S GOTTA BE MORE!"
Early on
My mother and adoptive father saw to it that I had the opportunity
to succeed in life. However, the death of my dad in a boating
accident when I was 15 caused me to think about life after death and
wonder if there was a God. Of course my mother, relatives, and
friends were there for me, but I lacked a father figure and I became
a confused kid. I began to seek an outlet for my frustration.
Sports
I found that outlet in sports, especially football. My happiness and
contentment hinged upon my success. I eventually received a football
scholarship to the University of Montana. I accomplished all the
goals I thought would give me fulfillment. I was loved and accepted
by my family, friends and community, but my happiness was only
temporary. On the outside I had fame, prestige, and was experiencing
everything that came with being in the limelight. But inside I knew
I was missing something and even winning the National Championship
could not fill the void.
My roommate
was different
This began my pursuit for a real purpose in life. During the next
six months, I noticed one of my roommates was different. I had known
him in high school, but he had
changed. He had peace, happiness, and
most importantly, freedom from his sin. He began to tell me about
how Jesus Christ had
changed his life. I was drawn to what he said
about "receiving Jesus as his personal Savior" and "knowing he was
forgiven of his sin". He gave me a Bible and I began to read it and
ask questions.
Conviction
I started to feel uncomfortable with the sinful way I was living.
God, Jesus Christ, or religion had never been a part of my life, but
I began to attend church to help me feel better, but that didn't
relieve my burden.
Confirmation
I was now 21 years of age and I decided to seek out my biological
father. I thought maybe meeting him would provide the answers for
which I was looking. I was surprised to find that he had received
Jesus Christ also, and it had
changed his life dramatically.
Feeling worse
Because of these events and what I read in the Bible, I saw that
there was a God and that I was accountable to Him. The thought of
dying and going to hell began to haunt me and I was afraid to meet
Him in my condition. I felt lost, alone and empty.
A
pamphlet similar to this one
On March 27th, 1997, I began to read a pamphlet, similar to this
one, written by the Billy Graham ministry. It showed me that Jesus
Christ was the Son of God and that only through Him could I be
forgiven. Jesus died to pay the penalty that God demanded for my
sins, and rose from the dead to give me eternal life.
So, I knelt by my bed and humbled myself before God. My heart was
broken, sorrowful, and guilty because of my sin. I cried out for
Jesus Christ to forgive me and
save me. I did what God required in
His Word: "... repentance toward God, and faith toward our lord
Jesus Christ."
Jesus came
I believed Jesus would
save me, and He did! The burden of sin began
to be lifted immediately. My fear of death and hell were replaced
with peace, love and joy. The empty void in my heart was gone!!!
The important part was getting to where I saw my need of Jesus
Christ and His forgiveness, and then calling upon him in repentance
and belief that He would
save me. God said, "for whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved." I didn't just "turn
over a new leaf" or "get religion". I became a child of God by faith
in Jesus Christ and was born again. Soon afterwards I was Baptized,
by immersion, in obedience to Christ and showing publicly that I had
received the Gospel of Christ into my heart.
How about you?
Obviously, the events in your life are different from mine, but we
all face the same questions: Am I going to heaven or hell? How can I
be free from my sinful habits? Where can I find true peace and joy?
How can I be right with God?
All of these questions can be answered in putting your complete
faith in JESUS CHRIST, not in a church, your good works, a religion,
or even Baptism.
"For by grace are you saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest
any man should boast."
A new start
God is offering you a new start and a purpose in your life through
Jesus Christ. Do you see your need of Him? If He is speaking to you,
please stop and find a place alone and humble your heart before Him.
In your won words, repent of your sins and receive Jesus Christ. He
will forgive you and hear your sincere prayer!
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Example:
Prayer of Repentance
Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you. I know I am a sinner and
repent of my sins against you. I believe you died on the cross by my
sins and rose again. I believe you are the Son of God. Please
forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and
save my soul. Thank
you for dying on the corss for me and having mercy upon me. Help me
to follow you from this day forward. Amen!
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou
knowest not what a day may bring forth."
"Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation."
Thanks
Thank you for your time in reading my story. My prayer is that you
may experience the love of Jesus Christ in your heart as I have and
continue to follow Him.
It had
been an undefeated season, 14-0.
We were preparing for a second consecutive National Championship. My
college career was at its peak, but my life was in a downward
spiral. It was obvious: "There was more to life!"
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his soul?" Mark 8:36
Place an order
To place an order for full color copies of this Testimony, call or
write:
Open Door Baptist Church
406-544-9660
135 Knowles St.
Missoula, MT 59806
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G. Steven Andres
Psalms 45:17
Missionary Evangelist
Copyright - 1996 to 2010 |
