My Story

I was born in the late 30's, and my sister Judy and I spent our growing up years on a small farm in northern Indiana. There was no electricity or running water. The roof leaked and the cold came in, but the one thing that was never missing was love.

Our father (Earl) worked the second shift in a munitions factory, so every night at bed time our mother (Belva) read us a bible story, helped us with prayers and tucked us safely into bed. The house was small and the flickering of the flame from the lone kerosene lamp on the kitchen table, casting its golden glow into the bedroom where we slept, is among my warmest memories. Dad and Mom are both now safely home in heaven

We went to town twice a week: Saturday nights for groceries and shopping, Sundays for church and Sunday school. Wednesday Evening Prayer was a given because someone always came from town to give us a ride.

At age 12 I walked down the aisle to give my heart to Jesus, and was baptized that same evening. At age 15, at church camp, I felt God put a call on my life to become a missionary/pastor. Through out high school and the army I was committed to that calling. My strong and confident faith brought me through lots of challenges: school, athletics, the army, several leadership positions, and well into college.

My senior year of college, however, life began to unravel, even though I was not aware of it at the time. Rather than pursuing the mission field, or ministry, I told myself, "I can minister in many ways," and changed my major to education. Not long after I began to get a haunting feeling that one day there would be a time of reckoning.

The years from 22 to about 40 were years of moves, jobs, and searching. Teaching, counseling, publishing, community service and ulcers were among my common activities. Even though things usually seemed right on the outside, inside was a different story. Life would work out, almost. There would be peace, but not quite. Always a restless searching. I drifted away from church at times but was always aware of a tugging that would not let go.

One night at age 39, in the midst of a crisis, I surrendered. "O.K. Lord. You know where I am, you know what I can do, I am listening." I knew in that moment that I was headed for the ministry. I did not know how, when or where. That was God's business and I trusted him to provide. I do know that I slept that night in a way that I had not slept in a long time. The year was 1977. Within a year I was in the ministry full time.

For the next 26 years God taught me about prayer, healing, fasting, praise, worship, a pioneering spirit, planting churches, the Holy Spirit, and the power of his Word.

At age 54 I began to develop two diseases that at age 60 would cause me to become almost dysfunctional. One night at a worship celebration in Connecticut a Nigerian evangelist prayed over me and through ministry of the Holy Spirit I was instantly healed.

Since that time I have prayed over others and seen the Holy Spirit heal many of them instantly, or a healing experience begun. Twice within this past year, within a ninety day period, I was told, "You have cancer". Today, two surgeries and many powerful prayers later, doctors tell me I am cancer free.

When Jesus healed people they immediately rejoiced and began to tell others what Jesus had done in their lives. The Spirit has laid it upon my heart to do the same.

What difference does Jesus make in my life? Jesus has made all the difference in my life. He provides all my needs. He comforts me in times of sorrow. He awakens in me a desire to live a pure and holy life. He helps me resolve my problems. He heals me when I get sick. He keeps me from the snares of the devil. He helps me forgive those who hurt me. He gives me wisdom and direction in the decisions of life. He reveals truth to me when I read the Bible. He enables me to teach, to share the Good News of God's love with others. He gives me strength to reach out and help those in need. I am thankful that I heard the simple message of God's love and forgiveness at an early age and gave my heart to Jesus.

In January, 2002, my wife Barb and I made this covenant with God: "Lord Jesus, our lives are totally and completely yours for the fulfilling of the Great Commission in our time. Whenever, wherever, however, regardless of the cost. We are yours. Chuck and Barb Tooman." We wrote it, we each signed it, and then lifted it up to him in prayer. Again, I say there is no life like the surrendered life, and once you have tasted it you cannot live any other way.

Maybe you have never surrendered your life to Jesus. Here is a beginning prayer: "Lord Jesus, I am yours. I am asking you to come in and take full control of my life. I thank you for dying for my sins on the cross. I seek your forgiveness for every wrong I have ever committed. I want to walk with you here and spend eternity with you in heaven. Thank you, Jesus. Amen."

If this prayer is the desire of your heart, pray it right now. Jesus will come into your life and take away your sins; he will transform your life and you will have peace with God that passes all understanding!

If you'd like a copy of THE LIFE OF JESUS written by one of his disciples, send me your address and I will send you a copy free of charge.