Fellowship Memphis

Pictured above: Chris Powell and his wife Paula.

I believe I can sum up my life in two words: perpetual grace. Growing up, I had absolutely no interest in spiritual things. I can honestly say that I lived 100% for myself. My life was like a smaller scale of Solomon’s life, in pursuing whatever it was that my heart desired. If you looked into my life you would see through my use of time, money, and relationships that I was self-consumed.

My brother shared Christ with me regularly and prayed with a friend for me for 2 years straight. At this point my interest in Jesus was “transactional” at best. If He was real and had all power why not bless me with what I want, right? My perception of Jesus was simply a selfish view that never produced any sort of transformation in my heart. He chose to show me through His Word that my actions proved I was an enemy of God.

Eventually, through God’s grace, He allowed me to see my sin and disobedience for what it was. I responded to Jesus’ call in 2005 by confessing and quickly repenting of my offenses against Him. God had truly allowed my life to reflect the new creation in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. During college, I had the privilege of being challenged by other men who illustrated what it meant to walk intimately with Jesus. God has continued in His faithfulness to open up His Word and make me His workmanship. He has allowed my wife and I to get opportunities to share with coworkers and friends who He is and what He desires. I’m so grateful that most of all God in His wisdom sent Jesus to demonstrate the very principles He spoke about. Community, evangelism, and disciple-making are a few of the things God is teaching me more about in my daily life.

In His kindness, He has also allowed me to see lately how short I fall of His standard. Because of this He is magnifying His patience and perpetual grace towards me. By the spirit of the living God I’m using that grace to be crucified with Christ like Galatians 2:20 and my hope is that my attitude will continue like that of Paul’s in Philippians 1:20-21. (According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.) And if you’re interested in hearing the longer version holler at me and we can chop it up.