We sang all over the place.

Each January, we would set aside time to pray. We had a band, families, and we traveled. We had 20 people, and we needed to make sure there was cohesiveness and purpose. The Lord would gently speak into our hearts about what songs to do to be that sharp sword. In 1988, we were praying, and we felt the Lord saying that we would fulfill the commitments for that year and then stop. We were obedient, and spiritually, it was right. We missed it, but at the same time, he opened up other avenues in our hearts and minds.

That's actually how 2nd Chapter of Acts was born. Matthew and Nelly saw the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and they hungered for that. We sat around and sang. By the time they were 13 and 15, we were on the road ministering. People came to the concerts, and some of them hated them because we had drums and guitars, but the Lord told us that whatever you do, do it with all your heart.

I went to St. Mary's School and to St. James High School. We left just before my senior year and moved to California. My dad was a painter in Grand Forks and a house painter in California. My mother was sick, and my grandmother and aunt lived out there, so our transition was family-covered. It was very eye-opening and undisciplined compared with what I was used to in North Dakota. In Catholic school, I was used to standing to answer when someone asked a question. In California, they didn't care if you chewed gum.

We sang all over the place.

Each January, we would set aside time to pray. We had a band, families, and we traveled. We had 20 people, and we needed to make sure there was cohesiveness and purpose. The Lord would gently speak into our hearts about what songs to do to be that sharp sword. In 1988, we were praying, and we felt the Lord saying that we would fulfill the commitments for that year and then stop. We were obedient, and spiritually, it was right. We missed it, but at the same time, he opened up other avenues in our hearts and minds.