My Faith Story and Journey by Bill Ockerman

Six years ago I would have never thought I would be standing here sharing my faith story, because for me that's when I thought my faith story and journey had ended.

As a child, I spent a lot of time in church. I grew up in a small Methodist church in Nelson County and a lot of my social life revolved around church. My parents always made sure that my sister and I were at church on Sunday morning and night. I really didn't mind going to church but it always bothered me that I didn't get to watch Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color on Sunday nights!! It seemed like I was the only kid that had to miss that program. I was always so glad when church was cancelled for some reason just so I could watch that show.

At the age of 13, I wanted to be baptized and throughout high school & college I remained very active in church. In the early 70's I was married and became the father of 2 children that I made sure grew up in church. Although their feelings about church and mine didn't always agree, we usually went to church as a family. In fact the last words that my son said to me before he was killed in a car accident on a Saturday night in May, were “I’ll see you in church tomorrow." As they were growing up in church, I remained active in teaching Sunday School, Bible School, being a deacon and served on numerous committees.

My point in telling all of this is that it seemed my faith journey was a good journey and for the most part it was, but God and I knew that I was struggling with an issue that I had to deal with before I could continue on.

Finally in October of 2004, God gave me the courage to be open with my family about myself and I shared with them feeling that I had prayed and prayed would go away and leave me alone but never would. Dealing with my family was one thing, but I knew dealing with my church was going to be a different story; because you see I had set through so many sermons being told I was going to hell and "my kind were not worthy of life." I knew exactly what the outcome would be but prayed for something different.

After leaving my church, I spent several months being angry with God for allowing this to happen. I decided that I would never be active in church again but for someone who loved being involved in church, this proved impossible. I soon realized I had to find a church that would welcome me as myself, that would love and respect me and most of all would allow me to be an active participant.

Since I wasn't familiar with any of the churches in Louisville, I turned to the internet for help. Luckily Highland was one of the first churches I found and from the first Sunday I walked through those front doors, I knew I had found a new church home. Many of you even knew where Bloomfield was and expressed how sorry you were I had to drive so far to church. The 45 minutes it takes me to get here is worth every minute to be able to worship with all of you. I even found out I have a relative here that I never even knew about. Billie Johnson and I figured that out a few weeks after I started. 

I can honestly say I am not sure where I would be today if I hadn't found Highland Baptist Church.  All of you have made me feel so welcome, you have allowed me to be a part of your Bible Study, you have allowed me to sing in your choir, you have allowed me to be part of your worship ministry group and now you have asked me to serve as your deacon. Those things many not seem that big to some of you but for someone who was told they were not worthy to live they mean the world. 

I will do my best to be the deacon that Highland deserves and to all of you, I thank you so much for allowing me to continue on the journey that I thought had ended.