My Salvation Journey
Dedication
I was raised by parents who exemplified a life of faith, prayer, and worship. Before my birth, my mother claimed scripture promises for me as she did for all of my siblings. My parents dedicated me to God as an infant. They named me Wesley Philip, similar to the evangelists St. Philip and John Wesley.
Nurturing Faith
My spiritual formation as a child occurred in churches where my father served as pastor. Similar to Susanna Wesley, my mother raised five kids giving each one of us spiritual guidance. From memory we recited the commandments, beatitudes, Lord’s Prayer, songs, and psalms. She also taught a youth catechism class at church where we were grounded in the scriptures.
Saving Grace
Both of my parents cultivated my spiritual sensitivity and reverence for God. Daily they prayed with me and often spoke of my need to respond to God’s grace. This prepared me for my first response to grace at age 10 during a revival service at my father’s church. My parents nurtured my faith and spiritual commitment.
At age 14, I received an assurance of regeneration during a summer family camp service. It was here that I became conscious of sin and the need of a Savior. Thereafter, I was baptized by my father and received as a member of the church. My parents faithfully prayed for me through my challenging teenage years. Even today their prayers continue to encourage me.
Growing Grace
As a young married man my wife became my “spiritual soul mate”. Together, Patti and I share our spiritual life in Christ. As a young man, I experienced a distinct revelation of God as one who is as holy and triune. Later, as a college student I received an assurance of the grace of sanctification and was entirely consecrated to God during a 3 day spiritual fast. Later, I was ordained a minister by the ”laying on of hands”. Later still, I reaffirmed my baptism by immersion in the Jordan River in Israel to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection.
In Summary
Like Jeremiah, I was consecrated to God at birth by righteous parents. Similar to young Samuel, I responded to God’s call at 10 years of age. Then at age 14, I was baptized in response to an assurance of regeneration. Like Paul, I was sanctified in response to a divine revelation as a young adult. Like young Timothy, I was mentored in ministry by godly leaders. As a mature man, I reaffirmed my baptism in the Jordan River to fully identify with Christ. Jesus is my Lord, the Holy Spirit is my Sanctifier, and God is my Father. I have a continuing assurance of his saving grace. I am confident that God will continue his work in me until it is fulfilled on the day when Christ returns (Phil 1:6).
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Col. 3:1-4.
Christ is my Life! Christ is my Hope! Christ is my Joy!
– Wes McCallum, 10/15 2010.
