I grew up in church but I never truly knew God. I had a great church family, a great youth pastor, and great friends but still I was blind to the truth that was right in front of me. I needed God. Before I became saved I got addicted to pornography and video games. I was angry all the time and would cuss people out over the smallest of things. I disrespected my parents and used God’s name in vain. These things had control over my life. I was miserable, I believed in God but I wasn’t ready to give him control. It took the death of three of my friends who were only 15 and 16 to make me realize that life is too short to wait. The night I found out it was like I could finally see, I remember thinking what if tomorrow never comes. I fell to my knees and wept, and prayed this prayer. “God I have ignored you all my life and I know I don’t deserve your love but if you still care please save me from myself.” When I gave my life over to him he wrapped his loving arms around me and carried me out of the pit of sin and despair that was my life. But I was not free of it yet though I was forgiven I was still tempted by the pleasures of my past life. Our great God showed me compassion again though when I became friends with Bryan Wallace. When I first met him at the beginning of this school year. I had no idea that he was going to impact my life more in one year than anyone else had my whole life.

Bryan Wallace was the greatest Christian and greatest friend I have ever known. He supported me through the struggles of this life and showed me how to truly live for God. Unfortunately I will never get to thank him for all he did. He went to be with Jesus on May 28, 2010, but because of him I can truly feel the joy of serving my God with all my heart just like he did. He was only 15 so you should not wait to accept Christ into your heart. He dedicated his life to bringing others to Christ. He became saved when he was 10 and in his 5 short years of serving our lord he brought countless people to Christ. I pray that I can continue his work even though I am half the man he was. Let me close with this on the day he died he sent his youth pastor a letter. At the end of this letter were these words “Live your life FTW!!!” For those of you who do not know what this means it stands for “For the Win”. Bryan knew that with God you can never lose so tell me are you living your life FTW.

God has big plans for your life, and there is no greater joy than serving your lord with all your heart. If you do not know Jesus today but feel him calling, please pray this prayer. “Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always.”

I am far from perfect but if you have any questions please email me at brandenflinchbaugh@ymail.com and I will pray that God will give me his words to speak to you. His words are powerful they created the heavens and the earth and they comforted a family that just lost their son. I know some of you might think badly of me because of my past but if I don’t care. I will no longer be afraid to share my testimony and God’s word. If God can change even just one heart than it will be worth it. Please pass this message on to everyone on your contacts. I know that not everyone will read this or even care but at least they will be told the truth, and I know God will do the rest. Until The Whole World Hears.

God Bless,

Branden Flinchbaugh brandenflinchbaugh@ymail.com