Greg’s Story

My name is Greg C. I grew up in a pastor’s home and at the age of six accepted Jesus as my Savior. When I was eight years old my family moved from rural Iowa to Colombia, South America, as missionaries. I was able to go with both my parents on some of their missionary ventures in and around the metropolitan city of Medellin, but it was my mom’s activities which really caught my attention. Wherever there was a needy family, my mom was there to help. For example, there was a single mother who lived with her two young sons in a one room paper shack. She could not walk because she was hit by a bus and had never received medical care of any kind. My mom started a Bible group for kids in this shack. Later, as my mom became friends with this single mom, she was able to teach her to walk again even though her leg had not healed correctly.

One summer when working in Wisconsin, I had a very serious car accident, involving a deer and five trees. All that was left was a pile of scrap metal instead of a car. Everyone who saw the aftermath said that I had been protected by my guardian angel, otherwise I would not have lived. I was able to walk away from the car, and then was taken to a hospital. During the three days there, God got my attention. I had always thought that if it came time to die, a person could make things right with God at the very last second. When I hit the deer and five trees, all I could think about was the damage to the car. While I was in the hospital recuperating, I rededicated my life to God.

Shortly after coming to the Cedar Valley, my wife Veneice and I with our two children Crystal and Kory moved to Cedar Falls and looked into Trinity. An important reason we decided on this church was the strong children’s program . Growing up, I had always liked visiting Trinity, as the church was one of our principle supporters. Trinity has always been a mission-minded church which both supports and sends missionaries around the world. The messages are biblically based and spiritually challenging. Worship, whether contemporary or traditional, always lifts our hearts and minds heavenward.

Our Adult Bible Fellowship helped us move into our new home several years ago. This sure made the move much easier! Our class has continued to help others in need whether it be moving or roof repair.

In January of 2004 I became a part-time industrial chaplain. In this position I daily get to help others that perhaps have gone unnoticed and are in desperate need of physical and spiritual help. Trinity has formally commissioned me for this work and has been very supportive of this calling.

Matthew 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”