Name:   Stephen Calhoun

Occupation:   Writer / Audio-Visual guy for Premier Elections

Staff Level:   Crossroads

In my spare time, I:  Read, play with Sable dog, work on the house, and watch movies.

I joined the Crossroads Staff because:   College is cool. No doubt about it.

I think the best part of being involved with this age group is: Being able to talk about issues both perosnal and theological that would be too "high level" for younger age groups. 

My favorite FBC Crossroads memories are:   Hearing what the students contribute during teaching.

One of my favorite passages is:   Job 1:20-21 “Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked shall I return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

My Testimony: 

In life we attempt to assimilate our knowledge and experience into a cohesive worldview that encapsulates what we believe is ultimately true. Any contradictions between knowledge and experience are weighed against each other, and the idea that is “more truthful” emerges and becomes part of a worldview until another idea comes along to challenge it. In my personal experience, no worldview resonates more deeply and truthfully than Christianity.

          The reason why I am a Christian begins with the person of Jesus Christ. By examining His life and work, I began to gain understanding about ethical living. I grew up in a Christian home, so this discovery began at an early age, and now the realization and wonder of Jesus continues to amaze me allowing Christianity to stay fresh and new with each passing day.

            While attending church as a child, I grew in knowledge of the Bible. I learned many of the stories, memorized all its books, and sang songs proclaiming praise to God. At that point, I lived by Christian precepts but not necessarily by my own choice. My parents encouraged and admonished Christian behavior inside and outside of the home, so I lived a Christian lifestyle in order to follow their rules rather than understanding that their instruction stemmed from the Bible. When I entered high school, I realized that Christian values weren’t good only because my parents said so. They were good because they were how others and myself genuinely wanted to be treated.

            This, more than any other reason, is why I choose to live by Christian principles. They teach how we want to be treated. Christians are commanded to help the hurt and downtrodden regardless of personal troubles. We are to avoid hypocrisy, judgmental behavior, lusts of the flesh, and many other sinful activities not only because Jesus commands it but also because we will live fuller and more joyful lives.  The teachings of Jesus and the Bible as a whole make too much sense to be ignored. I now find myself wanting to spend time in God’s Word and seek friendships primarily with fellow believers. Every Sunday I choose to come to a place where I sit quietly for close to three hours while listening and to others discuss the Bible and making personal applications. These actions are not natural to the human condition, and only because of Christ’s saving grace do I desire to grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. In a Christian’s life certain things will be off limits, but that is to protect us, not to frustrate us. Ethical living by the standards of the Bible builds a more fulfilling and satisfying life.