Mike Cavalleri
Salvation Experience
I heard about the Lord when I was in the Navy in 1960. During that time, I would go to the “Sing for Your Supper” meetings in Long Beach, CA, to get the free meals. I heard about Jesus during those meetings, but I ignored it. All I wanted was to do things for myself. When I got home from the Navy, I continued getting in trouble. I moved to San Francisco with my girlfriend, but that didn’t work out. I met another woman and eventually married her, but that ended in divorce after about 11 years.
After the divorce, some dear friends, Harvey and Marie Klein, and their three children invited me to go to church to see their kids in a musical skit. Not knowing what the Lord had planned for me, I continued going to their church and a Sunday School class for adults. I was so lonely and had money troubles and other problems, and I lived in an 18-foot trailer for 3 years. During this time, as I continued to go to church, God softened my heart, I finally gave in and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I didn’t want to give up a life of sin because I thought going to church would take away my fun and freedom. But as a Christian, I’ve discovered a life that is so much fun and it turns out I didn’t give up fun and freedom at all. As time went on, I started turning my problems over to Him. Things began to slowly improve. I had to learn that all things come in His time, not mine.
In the Sunday School class I was attending, there was a group of people that were not married. We would go out to dinner on Sunday evenings, which was often the highlight of my week. I decided to ask one of the ladies in this group to go with me to a yearly picnic event held at a camp near Watsonville, CA. I was nervous when asking her. I felt like a high school kid asking for a date. It was wonderful when she accepted. On the way home from the picnic, we stopped in Capitola to walk on the beach. At one point I took her hand to help her across a creek that was running out to the ocean, and when we held hands, we both knew there was something special in our relationship. The Lord put Nancy Francis into my life. He had definitely put us together.
A few months later, my dear friends, the Kleins and their 3 beautiful children decided to go to Disneyland in their motorhome. I had a pickup truck with a camper, so Nancy and I decided to go too. Nancy would stay in the motorhome with the Kleins and their son would stay with me. On the way to Disneyland, Nancy rode with me. I loved her so much, that during the drive, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I knew that the Lord was in charge. I wondered how He could put together two different people like us, but felt this was what He wanted and who am I to ask why. We have been married 37 years, and we have one wonderful son. Over the years God has guided us through some big problems, including financial issues, lost jobs, and deaths of family members and friends. The Lord has taught me to pray and trust in Him through all of life’s difficulties.
We started attending 3Crosses about 17 years ago. At that time, we felt that the Lord was leading us to find a new church. On Thanksgiving weekend that year, Nancy’s parents were visiting us. We told her mom that we wanted to try out 3Crosses church, and she said, “Let’s go.” So we did, and we’ve never left. We felt so welcome here and knew this was where the Lord wanted us.
One thing I wanted to do was to serve others by being an usher. The Lord led me to Bob Okamura who was the Head Usher at that time. I worked under his guidance for a few years and when he retired, the Lord led me to take his place as Head Usher. It was such a wonderful experience serving the Lord in that way.
Susan Okamura was a leader of a Bible study small group, and the Lord guided us to join that group. I did not read very well at all, and one of the first things I told Susan was that I didn’t want to read or pray out loud. Well, the Lord took over again, and Susan asked me to read just a verse out loud. I had time to read the verse to myself several times before it was my turn to read out loud, making sure I knew all the words. That was the beginning of God helping me improve my reading skills. He has caused such an improvement, that as of this time, I have read through the Bible eight times so far, and am currently reading through a chronological Bible. Praise God for teaching me to read so well and for giving me enjoyment in reading and learning His Word. I praise Him for helping me to read His Word!
I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with some wonderful pastors at 3Crosses. Also to have made some life-long friends here. My wonderful wife of 37 years has been a very special blessing to me. We know that what we do is always with the Lord’s help.
In closing, I accepted the Lord in September, 1980, and wish I had done so much earlier in my life. I just turned 78 years old and have had a wonderful life with the Lord. Even though I have had some problems, I have nothing to complain about. I know that by turning my problems over to the Lord in prayer, He has accomplished so much in my life. No matter what comes your way, pray to the Lord continuously and wait for Him to guide you through. Also, you don’t need to feel lost in a large church like 3Crosses. Join a small group and do some volunteer work in the church. You can also become part of one of the community classes. As you become involved in these groups, you could meet some wonderful people that will become life long friends. God will bless you greatly as you draw close to Him.
Key Scripture
My favorite Scripture is still John 3:16-
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
If you are a senior and would like to submit your testimony, we invite you to contact us for details on how you can participate. We would love to include your story!
