Foreword. The year was 1991. It would be hard to say where it all really began, but there definitely had been a turning point about a year earlier. It was then that God's Spirit began to convict and move us in a powerful and life-changing way. As we made the commitment to follow Christ without compromise, we embarked on a journey that would forever change the course of our lives.
We had been soldiers stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, but now we found ourselves leaving behind not only the country we had both grown to love, but also our citizenship in the world as we had always known it. Join us on a journey and find out why we found Jesus' words so irresistible. Find out how we found the joyous simplicity of the Gospel not only liberating, but also empowering. Throughout the book, I invite you to hear the stories of others who have gone before us.
Their lives and testimonies far surpass our own. Shakespeare once said, "They speak true that breathe their words in pain." I assure you, after hearing the testimonies of the early church and the Anabaptist martyrs, you will never be the same. My aim in writing this book is not simply to write one more book on the doctrine of non-resistance. My desire is to share with you some of my innermost thoughts and how I struggled to find my way to the truths we now so freely embrace.
Jesus said, "If we are ashamed of Him and His words, He will be ashamed of us in the end." In this book, I hope to challenge and inspire each reader to a higher and deeper devotion to Him, to hear His living words and do His blessed will. Everything we need in this life is hidden in Him, and those who truly find Him, happy are they. In short, there have been many, many Christian brethren living today who have blessed and influenced us with their teaching and testimonies of Christian integrity and faithful living.
It would be impossible to list here everyone who has aided me in the writing of this book in one way or another. To each of you, I would like to express a heartfelt thank you. May the Lord who sees in secret reward you openly. However, I feel I must express my deepest thanks and appreciation to my dear wife, Tanya, who not only shares this testimony with me, but has labored side by side with me in the writing of this book.
Not only that, but if she had not willingly accompanied and supported me on the many difficult paths of this journey, I shudder to think whether there would be any testimony to give. I would also like to express my love and appreciation for our six wonderful children: Stephen, Stefana, Christian, Christina, Joanna, and John Wesley. You are living proof of God's mercy in my life.
Finally, I should mention that while this book is about non-resistance, my aim is not to make you passive, but rather to make you a soldier, a soldier of the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, although this book is about non-violence, my prayer is that each page might be stained with the shed blood of Jesus. I hope you enjoy the book, but mostly, I hope to convince you to give your allegiance, your life, your all, completely for Christ.