Post by lovelace on Mar 28, 2006 9:48:25 GMT -5
It is not Bryan's fault for this, I just sent him the questions today. I am having to switch months I had planned.
Thank you Bryan for the quick response.
God Bless, Mike
Can you give us some background information (age, height, weight, where you are from, what you do for a living and your family situation)?
I am 35 years of age, 5’8”, 165-170 pounds, originally from South Point, Ohio. I am a preacher who works part-time as a professor at Jefferson Community College and going through the appointment process to be a chaplain for the Ohio Army National Guard. I am a Biblically divorced single father of one beautiful little girl.
When did you get saved and how?
I accepted Christ as my personal Savior during a Junior Church service on March 2, 1980 in fellowship hall of Zoar Baptist Church in Coal Grove, Ohio. I don’t remember what the lesson was about, but I went up to a worker and told him that I realized I would go to Hell right now if I died and asked him how to get saved. Afterward, my father came to get me from Junior Church and I excitedly told him what had happened. His response: “What do you want? A hug?”
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I started weight training with a home-made set of weights [bleach bottles filled with water and a metal tomato stake] in 6th grade [around 1982]. I didn’t begin powerlifting until my junior year in high school in the fall of 1987 when I joined the powerlifting team. In college I strayed into bodybuilding [NPC, NABF, and NGA] as a backslidden Christian and didn’t return to competitive lifting for about 8 years.
I have also participated in a competitive form in softball, baseball, track & field [800m & 1600m], cross country, volleyball [college intramuel], and basketball [college intramuel]. Currently, I only do raw form of powerlifting in NASA – Power Sports – as well as push/pull competitions. Any other athletics I do now is just for the fun of it rather than competition.
What denomination of Church do you Pastor/Bishop?
I am an independent fundamental Baptist preacher, hence I believe in the autonomy of the local congregation rather than human created denominations. Simply stated, the Scriptures gives no higher human authority than the local congregation of born again, baptized believers. I believe that the local church is to be governed by the Word of God, and the local church does not need, or does the Scripture teach that the local body rests under the authority of any earthy group. It is a group unto itself, under the authority of God [Christ is the head of the church], and solely responsible unto Him for its conduct, direction and affairs. Jesus in Rev. 2:6,15, that He "hated" this doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The group of heretics in the early church along with other doctrinal errors promoted a clerical hierarchy in the church. Yet, the Bible only records [Acts, the Epistles, chapters 1-3 of Revelation] local congregations.
What are your best lifts in competition?
I have not done competive squats for about a decade, so I have no idea what that would be. It was around 400 pounds. Here are my personal bests since I have started doing NASA Power Sports:
Strict Curls: 65 kg or 143 pounds
Bench Press: 145 kg or 319 pounds
Deadlift: 210 kg or 463 pounds
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
I look up to no one in religion, but I do have some heroes in the Christian faith [not a religion]. In the Bible, that is Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul. In modern times, this varies from Knox, Spurgeon, Sunday, Moody, Hyles, Rice, Hutson, Roloff, etc. None of these are perfect, but each has been a blessing to me in one fashion or another due to their uncompromising stances for God and the Bible.
In powerlifting, the two most influential are a couple of guys that you may never meet this side of Heaven – Jim Bennett and Fred Conley. They were my powerlifting coaches in high school. They not only taught us how to lift and told us what to life but they lifted right with us. They both taught that lifting is for fun and not the goal. They also opened up their homes to us. Jim Bennett was one of my groomsmen at my wedding. Both of them are serving as preachers, one as a missionary in Africa – who shipped his weights to Africa before he got all his support!
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
It is a natural balance. My ability to lift is a God-given gift, so I use it to glorify Him, worship Him, and witness for Him.
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I have helped to train a few others but [with the exception of my daughter] none for competitions. I have instead donated my knowledge to help friends and family.
I also keep myself open to knowledge from others who have more training experience than I. I am constantly studying and asking questions to improve myself. I don’t know it all and never will.
What organizations do you lift in?
NASA
Bryan, you are very active as a soul winner for Christ. What are some examples of you witnessing to others? How can we forget our nervousness and reach out/speak out?
Here are few ways that the Lord lets me to obey the Biblical commandment of soul winning: praying for souls (Matthew 9:38), inviting others to church (John 4:28-29), writing and giving away tracts, Scripture magnets on truck, Scripture printed on jacket, shirt, lifting singlet, hats, etc., giving away Bibles (Psalm 19:7), street preaching, Gospel strength demonstrations, going door-knocking (Acts 5:42; 20:20), church visitation, altar work, and giving my tithes and offerings to support the spreading of the Gospel through my local church and missionaries.
Get over being nervous? I pray that I never do! I want to be nervous and depend upon God. I want to feel inadequate when I knock on a door or stand on a street corner. I want to completely depend upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom and boldness. NEVER give up the gift of being nervous!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
The following verses have special meanings to me and define my ministry: Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 20:24; Romans 11:29; Galatians 4:16.
What is your favorite food?
Favorite food that I am unable to eat is fruit, including cobblers and juice! The favorite food that I am able to eat is turkey or rice.
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc.
I have a modified and personalized form of H.I.T. [High Intensity Training] that I use.
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
I only read the Authorized KJV Bible due to believing the Preserved Text Position. I used to use the NIV, NASB, TLB, etc. but have since repented of that after looking at the historical, manuscript, and doctrinal issues surrounding the Bible doctrines of divine inspiration and divine preservation.
As a Pastor/Minister, what are your concerns with society today?
The lost not hearing the Gospel due to compromise that has entered too many churches. Churches have compromised so that they can increase the size of their congregation and/or their budget. That is sad. Instead, we need pastors and preachers on fire for the Gospel who are willing to stand for God and the Bible without compromise.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
Unfortunately, I really don’t have any time to read books other than Bible. I am blessed if I get 6 hours of sleep at night! LOL!
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
Too many to list. I would have to put on the top of the list watching Him use me to see souls trust Christ as Savior, especially my own daughter.
What is your favorite lift?
Deadlift – just you, the bar, and gravity in a strict competition. No bounce [bench press] and no swing [curls] – you either get it or you don’t. What a rush!
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear or do you compete raw?
Raw other than a hand-carved leather belt made for me by my father when I was in high school. Even though he is in Heaven now, he still goes with me this way to my meets as well as training.
What is your favorite religious hymn/song?
“I Want That Mountain” – I can picture elderly Caleb singing this song!
Do you have any hobbies outside of powerlifting?
Leatherwork, interior decorating of my home, landscaping my yard, video games and board games with my daughter, and studying the Bible.
Whom is your favorite music artist?
My daughter, but I may be biased on that.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
It depends upon the Lord if I am in the 165 or 181 weight classes. Currently, I hold a few state records for Power Sports and Push/Pull in NASA. I also recently regained an American record for Push/Pull.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
I depend upon the Lord Jesus Christ for my strength rather than chemicals. Unless drugs are prescribed for a medical purpose then as Christians we should avoid them in every aspect of our life, not just lifting.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
This is a tie.
1) Peter – a “blue-collar” preacher who made mistakes [especially shooting off at the mouth] and was still used greatly of the Lord.
2) Paul – a scholarly preacher who humbly gave up being religious to share the Gospel without compromise to anyone who is willing to listen.
Do you have any final comments?
It is my prayer that God will continue to strengthen me for however long that He can use me. The moment that I am no longer usefully to Him, I pray that He will remove me so that I do not hinder His work or the Kingdom of God.
Thank you Bryan for the quick response.
God Bless, Mike
Can you give us some background information (age, height, weight, where you are from, what you do for a living and your family situation)?
I am 35 years of age, 5’8”, 165-170 pounds, originally from South Point, Ohio. I am a preacher who works part-time as a professor at Jefferson Community College and going through the appointment process to be a chaplain for the Ohio Army National Guard. I am a Biblically divorced single father of one beautiful little girl.
When did you get saved and how?
I accepted Christ as my personal Savior during a Junior Church service on March 2, 1980 in fellowship hall of Zoar Baptist Church in Coal Grove, Ohio. I don’t remember what the lesson was about, but I went up to a worker and told him that I realized I would go to Hell right now if I died and asked him how to get saved. Afterward, my father came to get me from Junior Church and I excitedly told him what had happened. His response: “What do you want? A hug?”
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I started weight training with a home-made set of weights [bleach bottles filled with water and a metal tomato stake] in 6th grade [around 1982]. I didn’t begin powerlifting until my junior year in high school in the fall of 1987 when I joined the powerlifting team. In college I strayed into bodybuilding [NPC, NABF, and NGA] as a backslidden Christian and didn’t return to competitive lifting for about 8 years.
I have also participated in a competitive form in softball, baseball, track & field [800m & 1600m], cross country, volleyball [college intramuel], and basketball [college intramuel]. Currently, I only do raw form of powerlifting in NASA – Power Sports – as well as push/pull competitions. Any other athletics I do now is just for the fun of it rather than competition.
What denomination of Church do you Pastor/Bishop?
I am an independent fundamental Baptist preacher, hence I believe in the autonomy of the local congregation rather than human created denominations. Simply stated, the Scriptures gives no higher human authority than the local congregation of born again, baptized believers. I believe that the local church is to be governed by the Word of God, and the local church does not need, or does the Scripture teach that the local body rests under the authority of any earthy group. It is a group unto itself, under the authority of God [Christ is the head of the church], and solely responsible unto Him for its conduct, direction and affairs. Jesus in Rev. 2:6,15, that He "hated" this doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The group of heretics in the early church along with other doctrinal errors promoted a clerical hierarchy in the church. Yet, the Bible only records [Acts, the Epistles, chapters 1-3 of Revelation] local congregations.
What are your best lifts in competition?
I have not done competive squats for about a decade, so I have no idea what that would be. It was around 400 pounds. Here are my personal bests since I have started doing NASA Power Sports:
Strict Curls: 65 kg or 143 pounds
Bench Press: 145 kg or 319 pounds
Deadlift: 210 kg or 463 pounds
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
I look up to no one in religion, but I do have some heroes in the Christian faith [not a religion]. In the Bible, that is Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul. In modern times, this varies from Knox, Spurgeon, Sunday, Moody, Hyles, Rice, Hutson, Roloff, etc. None of these are perfect, but each has been a blessing to me in one fashion or another due to their uncompromising stances for God and the Bible.
In powerlifting, the two most influential are a couple of guys that you may never meet this side of Heaven – Jim Bennett and Fred Conley. They were my powerlifting coaches in high school. They not only taught us how to lift and told us what to life but they lifted right with us. They both taught that lifting is for fun and not the goal. They also opened up their homes to us. Jim Bennett was one of my groomsmen at my wedding. Both of them are serving as preachers, one as a missionary in Africa – who shipped his weights to Africa before he got all his support!
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
It is a natural balance. My ability to lift is a God-given gift, so I use it to glorify Him, worship Him, and witness for Him.
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I have helped to train a few others but [with the exception of my daughter] none for competitions. I have instead donated my knowledge to help friends and family.
I also keep myself open to knowledge from others who have more training experience than I. I am constantly studying and asking questions to improve myself. I don’t know it all and never will.
What organizations do you lift in?
NASA
Bryan, you are very active as a soul winner for Christ. What are some examples of you witnessing to others? How can we forget our nervousness and reach out/speak out?
Here are few ways that the Lord lets me to obey the Biblical commandment of soul winning: praying for souls (Matthew 9:38), inviting others to church (John 4:28-29), writing and giving away tracts, Scripture magnets on truck, Scripture printed on jacket, shirt, lifting singlet, hats, etc., giving away Bibles (Psalm 19:7), street preaching, Gospel strength demonstrations, going door-knocking (Acts 5:42; 20:20), church visitation, altar work, and giving my tithes and offerings to support the spreading of the Gospel through my local church and missionaries.
Get over being nervous? I pray that I never do! I want to be nervous and depend upon God. I want to feel inadequate when I knock on a door or stand on a street corner. I want to completely depend upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom and boldness. NEVER give up the gift of being nervous!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
The following verses have special meanings to me and define my ministry: Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 20:24; Romans 11:29; Galatians 4:16.
What is your favorite food?
Favorite food that I am unable to eat is fruit, including cobblers and juice! The favorite food that I am able to eat is turkey or rice.
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc.
I have a modified and personalized form of H.I.T. [High Intensity Training] that I use.
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
I only read the Authorized KJV Bible due to believing the Preserved Text Position. I used to use the NIV, NASB, TLB, etc. but have since repented of that after looking at the historical, manuscript, and doctrinal issues surrounding the Bible doctrines of divine inspiration and divine preservation.
As a Pastor/Minister, what are your concerns with society today?
The lost not hearing the Gospel due to compromise that has entered too many churches. Churches have compromised so that they can increase the size of their congregation and/or their budget. That is sad. Instead, we need pastors and preachers on fire for the Gospel who are willing to stand for God and the Bible without compromise.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
Unfortunately, I really don’t have any time to read books other than Bible. I am blessed if I get 6 hours of sleep at night! LOL!
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
Too many to list. I would have to put on the top of the list watching Him use me to see souls trust Christ as Savior, especially my own daughter.
What is your favorite lift?
Deadlift – just you, the bar, and gravity in a strict competition. No bounce [bench press] and no swing [curls] – you either get it or you don’t. What a rush!
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear or do you compete raw?
Raw other than a hand-carved leather belt made for me by my father when I was in high school. Even though he is in Heaven now, he still goes with me this way to my meets as well as training.
What is your favorite religious hymn/song?
“I Want That Mountain” – I can picture elderly Caleb singing this song!
Do you have any hobbies outside of powerlifting?
Leatherwork, interior decorating of my home, landscaping my yard, video games and board games with my daughter, and studying the Bible.
Whom is your favorite music artist?
My daughter, but I may be biased on that.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
It depends upon the Lord if I am in the 165 or 181 weight classes. Currently, I hold a few state records for Power Sports and Push/Pull in NASA. I also recently regained an American record for Push/Pull.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
I depend upon the Lord Jesus Christ for my strength rather than chemicals. Unless drugs are prescribed for a medical purpose then as Christians we should avoid them in every aspect of our life, not just lifting.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
This is a tie.
1) Peter – a “blue-collar” preacher who made mistakes [especially shooting off at the mouth] and was still used greatly of the Lord.
2) Paul – a scholarly preacher who humbly gave up being religious to share the Gospel without compromise to anyone who is willing to listen.
Do you have any final comments?
It is my prayer that God will continue to strengthen me for however long that He can use me. The moment that I am no longer usefully to Him, I pray that He will remove me so that I do not hinder His work or the Kingdom of God.
