Richard Kalman
Salvation Experience
I am one of nine children born into a family where both parents were Christians, my father was a lay minister, and a grandfather who was a missionary. As I grew into adulthood I did not accept the Lord into my life initially and thought I could handle whatever came along whether good or bad with my own solutions. The unfortunate truth is that I had not thought out or worked out a solution as to how I could effectively deal with my life problems. I wandered through life like most people in our world depending on myself to resolve each day’s problems. I personally tried to plan and run my life my way and wondered why so many things went wrong. I failed in marriage and had many problems come into my life that I was unable to resolve in a satisfactory manner? Many of my relationships deteriorated, and things I did to find happiness seemed to end in failure. Running around from party to party, and drinking with friends left me very empty inside, thirsting for something of substance, but not knowing how to obtain it. A need for a change in the course of my life was apparent.
By the grace of God, after many years drifting in this confusing world, I came to realize that when one encounters problems that become progressively more severe, one should chart a new course. I was blessed to have loving Christian parents and siblings who were a wonderful testimony and for me to strive for in my life. I decided to search my local area for a church to attend and finally settled on 3Crosses church that was founded on sound biblical principles. I discovered that God loved me and had a wonderful plan for my life. (Romans 5:8)" But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." As I studied the bible, my “Life Instruction Manual", I found wonderful truths and promises, and a way out of my dilemma. I read that man (and woman) is sinful and separated from God, and that Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. (Romans 3:23) "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Through Him, I could know and experience God's love and a plan for my life. I further read that each of us must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (I Timothy 2:5) "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ". So I received Jesus Christ and turned my life over to him. On June 11, 1972, I was baptized at the 3Crosses by Pastor “Pop” Ruhl. That decision was not made on an emotional basis, and no earth-shattering changes came into my life right then and there. But spiritual growth began and changes in my life did follow. Each day brings new insights through the Word of God and growth continues. Sometimes I move forward and some days backward. But overall, the progress is in a forward direction. I look to God for solutions, drawing on his infinite wisdom as the creator of all things. He provides the answers in His way and they are always correct. In my new Christian walk in life, I became active with a 3Crosses Sunday school class and the Fellowship of Christian Airlines Personnel (FCAP) ministry that is a world-wide outreach to airline personnel that has brought many aviation personnel to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Key Scripture
One of my favorite biblical scriptures (of many) is II Corinthians chapter 13 called the love chapter. This was read at my marriage to my wife Branka in 1989 by 3Crosses pastor Malcolm Cash who coincidently (?) was from my hometown of Akron Ohio. That chapter lays out wonderful guidelines as to how, as Christians, we should respond to others with love in our daily life. Additionally, I like Galatians 2:20 that as a Christian I am crucified with Christ spiritually and I live my day to day life in faith. Also, I John 5:12-13 is a reminder to me that I was at a crossroads in my life many years ago as a non-believer and I am blessed that I now have a new life in Christ Jesus.
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