About Clay…

Jill Turner.  Well, “Stokely” as I used to call her – my sweetheart from Maryville.  Well, not really then.  I mean she was but she was – engaged.  Most of you might know the story – but in case you don’t, Stokely (her maiden name by the way) and I both worked in the dorm staff as “resident assistants”.  Not much assisting went on – more of the resident “keep-it-to-a-low-insanity-Police” kind of thing.  But that’s how we met.
She was engaged – in retrospect, probably a good thing.  It kept us “away” from each other – even though we knew then that there was an attraction – it was just really, really good friends.  I knew then that she was a keeper – one of those Proverb 31 women – maybe not then – and well, I’d be lying if my understanding of that back then was what it is today.  But there was that “foundation” – ya’know??

In January – the 9th as I’ve been reminded – she “found” me on Facebook.  The woman had changed her name – to Turner – through a marriage that gave her two beautiful daughters – Rachel (19) and Tori (15) now.

But in the spring of 1982 – when I graduated – Jill ended up going with me and my family to lunch the weekend of graduation.  After meeting Jill and spending some time talking with here – my father proclaimed to me, “Clay, this one looks like a keeper…” – Well…DAD…except for her ENGAGEMENT ring!!  Pointed out her ring to him – and told him that I hadn’t given it to her.  Dang.  Nonetheless, she didn’t take off the ring – and we went our separate ways.

But now – reconnected – nearly immediately we found out that we were both involved in some inner city ministry work – she in K.C., me here in Atlanta – and it didn’t take long for me to mention Kenya.  So – here we are!

Me – haven’t really told this story much – born in Kokomo Indiana – raised by a loving mother and father – who stayed together ’till Dad was called home about 7 years ago – they moved our family to Omaha when I was going into 8th grade I believe – a great move for me!!  …variety of reasons…but one biggy:  I ended up at Northwest Missouri State University.  Where in 1982 I graduated with a degree in Finance.  And I left there with a new friend.  That has turned out to be life-long!

Grew up in the Disciples of Christ church – whoa!!  Through a series of interesting and amazing events that included living in London and Brussels, I ended up in Clearwater, FL where I found a great church that helped to solidify my trust in God – my recognition of Him as not just the Creator of the earth, but my Daddy.  That His Son who gave everything for me could be the Lord of my life and walk with me daily – moment by moment – and lead me to His desire for this life I like to call “mine”.  It is not…

Ended up being transferred to Atlanta as an employee of Bellsouth – and have been here for about 11 years now.  Pointed at a ministry called “7:22″ which stood for 2nd Samuel 7:22 – I never really got plugged into it.  BUT – - it was held at Northpoint Community Church – which is now my home church and has been for the past 10 years.  If you want to get a flavor for the church – you can go to the Northpoint Online TV web site on Sunday night’s at 6pm EST to watch a full service front to back.

Baptized when I was 14, my choices in life didn’t reflect a respectful relationship with my Father in Heaven.  I traversed the usual things in life – which were fun for me – fun for a while – and ultimately found to be empty promises.  I really began to understand my personal relationship with Christ at Indian Rocks Baptist Church near Clearwater – well, in Indian Rocks Beach Florida.  Lived there for about 3+ years and found out I could sing.  Well, not like David Phelps – I so WISH – but hey, God gave me OTHER gifts.  I’m just still trying to sort all of ‘em out.

Coming into Atlanta, I found Northpoint and have experienced their mission – to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ.  Being there – every week – listening and devouring the wisdom from Above – studying God’s Word – choosing wisely other authors – like C.S. Lewis, Phillip Yancey, Tony Evans, Chuck Swindoll, Brennan Manning, Erwin McManus, Max Lucado, Josh McDowell – listening to some of the same and Andy, Louie – Voddie Baucham – so many who have influenced my walk with the Lord!

In 2005, I took the challenge to go to Indonesia as a part of a micro-enterprise development trip.  Amazing.  And again, finally – last year connected with Kenya through the 410 Bridge as the sending organization on a trip coordinated by Northpoint’s GlobalX organization.  In between, I attended the U.S. Center for World Missions “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” course – which of course kinda did what my buddy Chuck Phillips of Cafe 1040 told me it would do – ruined my life.  Ok.  Well, you guys probably know – it ruined the life of this world – and opened my eyes and heart to a whole new truth in Christ.  His call to all of us to be a part of what He’s already got going – to be “missionaries”.  Scary word for most.

So – all that has brought me to Kenya.  A largely Christian country – and like most of Africa – struggling with deep poverty – lack of clean water – an education system that leaves many, many wanting – a place where we can walk alongside those already there and be a loving brother – a loving sister.  People who encourage the leaders who are already there and whose hearts are already broken for their own people.

Kenya – the 410 Bridge – the preparation for this next step in our journey – we’ll leave that to the next blog posts!  Jill’s going along – next June – the 12th – we’ve got some plans for that day – stay tuned!!

Clay