Fredly's Testimony
I grew up in church, but as a young man, I lost my way. I figured that I had made enough mistakes, that surely God wouldn’t want anything to do with me, so I just sort of gave up. But the thing about God - He’s relentless, and He’ll chase us until we catch Him. He brought my wife, Julie, into my life, and she invited me to church. A year or two, a wedding, and number one of three children later, while working radio in Missouri, we walked into Lebanon Family Church. That morning, Pastor Matt Flanders shared a message that I had never heard before - it was a message of GRACE, and about God’s never-ending love for us. As I look back, that was my Day One. God used Pastor Matt, my wife, and our friends at LFC to transform my life - even bringing me out of mainstream radio, to begin a life of ministry in Christian Radio.How did you get into radio?
I actually got my first job in radio while I attended Harding University back in 1991, at a tiny little country music station in Heber Springs, Arkansas…and it was the gal I was dating at the time who got my foot in the door. What is your favorite Bible verse?
That’s an easy one - my life verse is Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (KJV) Ephesians 6 is my favorite chapter of the Bible, specifically verses 14-18, where we read about the full armor of God. It’s such a huge part of my life - it’s even the theme upon which my motorcycle is painted!
What's your favorite childhood memory?
Okay, this one isn’t as easy, because there are many. I was blessed to grow up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, so I have many vivid memories of life in the Rockies. I think some of my most favorite memories come from the years my family enjoyed Buckskinning - going to annual mountain man rendezvous, learning the ways of the old fur trappers, explorers, and our native American brothers who were here long before we were. The love, care, and respect for God’s creation around us was deeply instilled in me through those awesome years.
What's your favorite food and why?
Hard to nail down just one - so, I’m going to have to go with more of a type…and that’s a really tight toss-up between Italian and Cajun cuisines. I got to do some mission work years ago in Italy, and the food was almost indescribable…rich, and flavorful! And having lived for many years in the south, I developed a taste for the spice and flavor of quality Cajun cooking. That said, the “Best Gumbo Ever Award” still goes to my friend (and best-selling Christian author), Tracey Bateman, who we actually met in Missouri. Go figure. By the way, it should be noted that Tracey’s family hails from Louisiana, which is where she gets the ingredients for her amazing gumbo…
What's your favorite hobby and why?
I guess I’m going to have to go with motorcycling. I’ve been blessed to ride with the Christian Motorcyclists Association for the past decade, and being out on the highways and byways, especially with Julie on the back of the bike with me, is one of my most favorite things to do in the world. Julie and I used to take an annual short tour on the bike, to the spot where we spent our honeymoon…it’s a bit more of a trip from Michigan, so I think that this year we’re going to need to come up with a new destination, that allows us to get away, and still enjoy some time back-roading and enjoying God’s creation! (Feel free to recommend great riding spots anytime!)
