Me and my wife Martha
I was born in Salem Co, New Jersey in 1958 and grew up in the small town of Pennsville. My parents Lynn and Nora Childers were native to the Smoky Mountians of western North Carolina. Our family attended a little Wesleyan Methodist Church. I have a sister, Angie and a brother, Lyle. My father and mother had always been musically inclined, and it carried over to the kids. So, we began to sing quartet style at the churches in the area. At about the age of 15, I had the habit of going to the movies on Friday nights. I was not picky and would watch what ever was showing. One night, a movie called "A Time to Run" was showing. I didn't realize it was a Billy Graham movie. So, at the end, when they raised the house lights and gave the call, I felt the wonderful, tender touch of the Saviour. He was asking me to allow him to come into my heart, and I accepted Christ. I had finally met the One I had been singing about! When I graduated high school, my family moved to the mountians of North Carolina, the town of Sylva. We continued to sing at the churches in the area. Then in 1979, I got the chance to travel with the Inspirations Quartet of Bryson City, N.C. I played the upright bass and sang in what they called the Pickers Quartet. I would often sing a solo "How Great Thou Art". After I left the Inspirations, I married and started a family. My wife and I had three children-Chris, Brandi and Adam. Then in 1989, my wife, Terry, was diagnosed with cancer. She made three hard years and passed away in 1992. Our children were 17, 11, and 9. With the Lord's help, the children and I managed. I now have two daughter's-in-law and one son-in-law and six grandchildren. Also, in 1981, I formed a trio with two of my friends. We were called the Lordsmen. We sang for about five years, recorded three albums and were regulars on Mulls Singing Convention TV show in the mid 80's, along with a few other Gospel music shows. The Lordsmen disbanded in 1986. In the fall of 2000, I had spent almost 10 years of my life as a single parent, wondering if it was Gods will for me to spend the rest of my life alone. Since my kids were of the age that they were beginning their adult life, I was feeling desperate. I had been feeling the loneliness for a long time and praying that God would allow someone to come into my life. One Sunday morning about a week before Thanksgiving I was at Church. I couldn't pay any attention to the message. Out of despair, I stepped outside and sat on the front steps of the Church. I pled with God to fill this need. On the following Tuesday, while eating breakfast at a local restaurant, He allowed me to meet my wife. Her name is Martha. Her husband passed away in 1998 while they were living in Houston TX. They never had children, her parents had passed and her sisters and brother were spread across the US. So, she also was asking God for someone in her life. Martha had been visiting a sister in Memphis TN, planning to leave in a few days and travel through the Smokies, then on to Maryland to spend Thanksgiving with her other sister. Suddenly, she felt the urge that she must leave right away, so she did. This was that same Sunday morning. When she arrived in Sylva, it was late, so she decided to spend the night. The next morning it was pouring rain, so she decided to take her time and have a good breakfast. While she was eating she asked the waitress how to get to Asheville, the girl was new to the area, so they asked me. My, my, how God works! We were married July 28th 2001, and we couldn't be happier. God truly does fill your needs. Now, I think it's time for me to continue on with what I started years ago...travel, sing and testify for the Lord. |
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