Dean Mayo

Before I came to know Jesus, I was living life largely according to my own understanding and relying on myself. I grew up in a dysfunctional, chaotic family that never really pushed a relationship with God or knowing Jesus. When I was young, my Grandma would pray, but to be honest, it seemed pointless to me because things in life never seemed to get better. I thought that because I had read a couple of Bible verses over my life, I had it all figured out. Boy, was I wrong.

When I met my wife, we were living in sin. I was living the same dysfunctional life, thinking I had somehow escaped it all. She had a relationship with God and expressed how important it was to her and that we needed to change our ways. I told her that because I loved her, I would support her in going to church and getting involved, even though I thought, “It wasn’t my thing.”

Through day-in and day-out attendance and building a community here at GBC, I came to know Jesus as Lord, and He saved my life. What started out as something I did to support my wife turned into the most important decision I have ever made, and it is what put me here today. I couldn’t be more grateful for my wife, my kids, and the new life I have through knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with God.

I’m not perfect, but I strive to be consistent in my faith, and I am convicted daily. That’s why I stand here today, wanting to profess Jesus as King and commit to living my life for Him.

My life has changed since knowing Jesus as my Savior in so many ways. I no longer feel alone or like I need to carry the weight of the world by myself. I am still learning to lean on Him, and I still struggle with surrendering control. But the times I have let go of control and trusted Him, I have seen Him work in my life. I’ve been given peace and strength in so many aspects of life because of His grace.

That’s why I stand here today, wanting to profess Jesus as King and to live my life for Him. As Joshua 24:15 says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”