Though raised in a Christian home, I encountered Christ during a physical and moral crisis in my early twenties. It was my parents’ life that influenced me to accept Christ.

Today, I believe prayer, the Bible, fellowship and sharing our lives with one another will keep us alive in Christ. Prayer releases our guilt and the Bible examines our soul. Sharing keeps us away from our old ways, and fellowship helps us in the present.

As Christians - looking forward to our Savior’s return - it is the ‘present’ that is critical as we face every day life. And it is this reality that led me to envision the importance of “Family of Friends International.” Family - because as one body we are redeemed by the blood of Christ; Friends - because we live in mutual accountability as Christ did.

(John lives in the Queens, New York, area with his wife Rebecca and their daughter Elizabeth. They covet your prayers and thank you for praying for them. They are members of Christhava Tamil Koil church [www.nyctk.org])

My name is Victor Wright, I’m a 44 year-old African American, and I live in Altadena, CA (USA). In 1976 at the age of 15, while participating in a high-school football game, I received a traumatic spinal injury. Today I’m a quadriplegic and on a respirator in order to breathe and speak. Every day is difficult - but in spite of my condition for the last 29 years, I still believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior and that He loves me and is with me at all times. In the midst of difficult experiences, I believe that Jesus Christ has never forsaken me - He’s never left me.

I also still believe that He has the power and ability to heal me through his love, mercy and forgiveness. I think that all things can be for His Glory if we submit to his will by living in obedience to his word and Spirit every day.

As members of Family of Friends International, we serve as the Lord's Body - being like his hands - giving to and sharing with those in need; being like his heart - loving and caring for those that are hurting; and being like his tongue or voice - speaking the Gospel and sharing His word with those who are lost. My personal website is www.victorwright.com.

I grew up in a very compassionate, moral and religious home, but it was not till I went to college that I came to know Christ personally. Up to that point, I had a strong belief that I was a “good” person, a belief only heightened by campus awards I received. Over time, through circumstances and the faithful witness of others, I realized sin was more about someone’s intentions than their actions. It was in this context that the Lord spoke to me, saying, “I want the reigns of your life”. In yielding to the Lord, I learned the importance of being in continuous contact with the Lord through prayer, staying in consistent fellowship with believers for mutual accountability, in God’s word for the purposes of growth and sharing with others for the purpose of carrying out the Great Commission that Jesus laid out for us.

I’ve just completed my 11th year as a Real Estate Broker-Salesperson. It has been this career that has given me the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally to share the good news of Jesus and the vision of Family of Friends International. My life verses can be found in 1 Samuel 22:1-2 and Psalm 78:72.

(Tony resides with his wife Marlene and their two year old son Sebastian in Princeton area of New Jersey and they are members of Allentown Presbyterian Church.)

Church: Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Kansas City (www.vineyardkc.org)

I grew up in a warm, multi-ethnic church in Delaware, (USA). In that loving community, I learned the value of following Jesus Christ, and being in fellowship with those who love Him.

One of the most freeing things I learned at Fuller Seminary (Pasadena, CA) was that we are all called to serve – and that being a “minister” or “pastor” can look very different from the traditional models. After many different careers – civil engineer, fund-raiser, IT consultant, sales – I’m now a “pastor” who gets to do the things God created me to do. And you know what those things are? Many are things I learned to do in those other vocations! I get to “play” in God’s playground, and just like I enjoy watching my own kids play, I believe God loves to watch us doing what He created us to do.

At my church, I’m involved with:

• Missions – partnering with what God is doing around the corner, and around the world.
• Volunteers – partnering with God to help others find and fulfill their purpose in life.
• Outreach – partnering with God to help meet the practical needs of life.

It’s an honor to be a part of Family of Friends International – partnering with friends who are passionate about serving God and serving others.

From me to you: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."   Romans 15:13

It was May 10th 1988, when I attended the last day of my Vacation Bible School in Chennai India. The teacher in the Church explained me how to give my life to Jesus. I closed my eyes to pray. I saw a enormous brightness surrounding me. With shivers I gave myself to Him. I was thirteen years old then.

By now I am facing alcoholic parents, huge financial crises in the family and a bleak future. I felt that mankind is an inherent failure. One day my Mom told that the experience I had came from the devil. She was a traditional Christian though. I also knew my health is failing and I am suffering from a rare genetic disorder called Becker muscular dystrophy. I left my search for God then.

March 2nd 1997 I was forced to attend the Church by my cousin. There Pastor preached, Job 19:26 - "And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;". I realized human sufferings will always be there, but it is that faith in Christ that gives us a life of abundance and victory. After that I was baptized and on that 30th, I was praying and again that same brightness surrounded me. This time I kept on praying and God made me to sing and pray in a different language. I was filled by His power. I lost myself in His love and my wonderful Christian journey started.

Today in spite of my physical limitations, I am enjoying abundant grace in Christ. I bring the Gospel of Christ and His fervent love by joyfully sharing my blessings with other brothers and sisters. Family of Friends International, enables me to win friends for Christ.