A little info on who I am.
I guess if I’m going to start a blog, the best way to start is by telling a little about who I am. My full name is Richard Henry Wendland. Born and raised in Calallen, TX. (Corpus Christi) I found salvation at the age of 14, but I can’t say I maintained a relationship with Jesus since then. Since then I’ve believed but have been just as far off track as many unbelievers, a “practical atheist” I guess you might say.
One Sunday morning, when I was living in Harbour Landing apartments, I decided I needed to “check in” with God and let him know I still believed. There was a church I had heard so much about & since it was right in front of my apartment complex, I decided I’d check it out. The church was Bay Area Fellowship. At the time it was the only BAF location.
Pastor Bil Cornelius, as with many who walk through the BAF doors, did something that no pastor had ever done before. He gave a message that not only kept my interest, but left me hungry for more. About a year & several visits later I told my then fiance, whom I had met since the first visit, that I wanted to stay for the membership class. (More on that in another post) God started speaking to me very clearly after that. I started to hear God again after that. I began to serve and tithe and saw my life change in ways that only a follower of Christ can understand.
Shortly after this I was married and My awesome wife, Veronica, and I decided to move to the valley to try and start a business. (More on that in another post, can’t give all the good stuff now.) During our last visit to BAF before moving we were on our way out the door when I saw Pastor John Atkinson. He had taught the membership class I attended so I asked him for a recommendation on a church in the Valley that shared the same kind of vision as BAF. Next thing I know I’m a member of Cornerstone Church in McAllen, TX. I became good friends with the pastor there Loui Canchola. Not only was Pator Loui a great Mentor and teacher, but he was the first person to meet our first child, Richard Timothy Wendland (Timmy). Loui and his family will always be special to us and have their own place in my heart.
After about a year and a half God saw it fit to bring me back to Corpus Christi. I say God saw it fit because the more I tried to avoid it the more things went wrong for me and my family. It was when we got back that I began to get plugged back into BAF. However by now, BAF had a total of 4 campuses in the area and one of them was in my home community of Calallen. BAF 5 Points had been launched while I was gone in the valley.
Pastor Jason Curlee, aka @jasoncurlee, wasted no time taking in a new volunteer. I am now, an Element (youth) leader, and the Hometeams coordinator for BAF 5 Points, and I help with several other miscellaneous things around the church.
This path may sound much like a “Wild Goose Chase”, and it has been. But that’s exactly what life is like when you follow the spirit and will of God. Although it is full of ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Stay tuned for more of my ramblings and stories as I continue to learn new things everyday about God, Jesus, and following the spirit. I hope you enjoy what I have to say as I enjoy sharing it. If all I do for the kingdom brings but one soul to know life with Christ, it was worth every effort.
AMEN
