Hunter Avery

Growing up, I was raised Southern Baptist. However, at the time my parents were not involved in the church and we only attended a few times a year. Though they were not involved, I was baptized at an early age. As I grew older I attended church sporadically with friends but never found my true home. While I quickly believed in and took Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior during one of the times I attended church I never took the leap of faith to actively show it under my own free will. Maybe it was due to some less than favorable experiences with churches or simply a fear people would think differently of me. As I have gotten older, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on all the amazing things God has blessed me with. From countless sunrises and sunsets watching his creation come to life while fishing and hunting, an amazing wife who’s is always there for me, two healthy and beautiful children and most importantly his salvation and never ending love for me just as imperfect as I am. This is just a short list of the wonders he has given me. As I look at these things it is easy to see how great and how real God truly is. After one of the many lessons the Coastal Life team poured into my children they asked me “dad have you been reborn”. For the longest time I had felt like the first time was enough. Hearing them ask it stirred something deep in my soul and the only answer I could give them was “no but I am going too”. Today is the day I quit living in the shadows, worrying about what others may think of me and I thank God for each and everything he has done in my life.