I was born in Norman, Oklahoma and was also raised there. My parents made sure I went to church as a rug-rat. We went to Church of Christ. When I was around seven I decided I didn't need God and decided I'd do my own thing. When I was 15 God decided he was done letting me romp around in my sin and began to pull me back to Him. I first decided it was time to go back to Church after watching a televised Billy Graham stadium gathering. Needless to say my parents were pleased. A few weeks later I was baptised by their pastor, Leon Dennis. After the initial "yea I'm a Christian and I'm immortal blah blah..." wore off, I felt actually emptier then I did before I went up to get baptised. I shrugged off God's telling me I'd left something out and tried to follow God as best as someone who was still dead could do. What happened was that I hadn't prayed for Jesus to take over my life and use me to radiate his love. I think I missed the point because the message was usually what I call the "Hellfire and Brimstone" (ie. YOU'RE GOING TO HELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HELL, unless you're baptised!) When I was 17 I began dating a Baptist. I tried going to First Baptist Church and decided I liked it so I began to attend that church instead.
When I went to a youth retreat at Falls Creek in Davis, OK, I asked Jesus to take over my soul and make me one of God's kiddies. I can honestly say that my life has dramatically changed since I prayed that prayer. I was baptised by Dr. Brown 2 weeks later. I joined the Army after I graduated High School. After BCT and AIT I went straight to Korea (South) where I was stationed on Camp Carroll outside of Waegwan, S.Korea. For me Korea was being alone in the desert with God. Although, I did have a bunch of strong Christain friends to support and encourage me. Now I'm at Ft. Hood, and since it's so big I don't see my Christian friends except at gatherings. Its made it harder but I am recovering. I'm in the 3rd Signal Brigade supporting III Corps. I'm in C co 57th Signal Battalion.
God is COOL!
Charles
April 4, 1998.
Email for Charles Heinrichs (hamhawk6@hotmail.com)