Updated January 3, 2012
My History
I was born, and raised in St Paul, Minnesota. I have one sister, and one brother. (he Committed suicide in November 1999 at the age of 34) I graduated from Johnson in 82. I joined the US Army one week later. I flew down to Fort Benning , Georgia: Where I went to basic training. Co. B 3rd battalion 1st infantry. Three months later, I was assigned to Co. C 1st battalion 58th infantry 197th (also known as $1.97th) Fort Benning. I was there until April 84. I was assigned to Co. A for three months then assigned to Co. D 1st 17 (Buffalo's) infantry 2ID Camp Casey Korea. I left active duty on 12 June 85, and joined the Army reserves at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. I stayed in the reserves until August of 90. Click on the Army photo button below to view my Army history, and photos. I'm still working on some of the pages. It was in around July of 2003 when someone told me that they had Tuesdays night men,s basketball at First Evangelical Free Church Maplewood in Minnesota. I played basketball for a month or so and made some Christian friends. I met this guy named Dan O. I visited Dan about 3 or 4 times a week. Dan talked to me about Christianity. On December 31, 2003, I did not want to stay home so I called Josh to see what his plans was. (8pm) I did not get an answer so I went swimming in my indoor pool at my apartment. I was thinking about going to a liquor store to buy a case of beer and I was going to sit home watch movies and get drunk. I felt something in my body that told me to stay away from the liquor store and call Josh instead. (it had to be the holy spirit) I got out of the swimming pool and went to my apartment and try calling Josh again. This time he answered and invited me to a Christian party. I had a great time that night and I did not need the alcohol to have a good time.
I was invited to go check out the Christmas concert a couple days before Christmas 2003 at First Evangelical Free Church. Also my friend Dan Olson invited me to church on the first Sunday of 2004, I was my 3rd time going to church in a long time. At that time I have not been to church since 1983 back in the Army. I invited Dan to go swimming at my apartment after Church. He talked about Christianity again. Dan and myself prayed and I accepted Christ into my live.
I started going to First Evangelical Free Church every week. I joined the church choir in February 2004. I also attended true north (Sunday school class) to learn more about Christ and to fellowship.
I lost interest in the Christian faith in 2008 when I was going into foreclosure. I made a mistake and started up drinking again instead of letting god handle my situation. I have lost interest in singing in the choir and going to church because of my stupid situation and I was not getting community. Yes; I was going to Sunday school but nothing else during the week.
I have moved out of my house after missing 3 months of mortgage payments, (I will publish that page in the future with more details) and into an apartment in Little Canada. I was there for one year when I met Aaron J at the outdoors swimming pool. We chatted for about an hour. He seems like a decent person so we exchange addresses. I stopped by his apartment about a month later to see how his was doing. Aaron was packing to move in a week so I offer to help him move, and he accepted. I visit him for about two hours and he told me about Substance Church and wanted me to join him the next day. (The last week of August 2010)
Substance Church (Not abuse!!!!)
I started going to substance Church about the last week of August 2011, and I will continue to go until God calls me home. On my second week I serving on the greeting team at Northwestern campus and everyone is so friendly. I was directed to go to the operation center for what they called 201 (now its called Starting Point) Its where you meet the Church Pastor and staff and its a class on whats Substance is about. I like it when they say~~ "Its not church until after the service" Substance Church empathy's joining a subgroup and get to know people and find your 4 to 7 best friends. (Great!!! I love that!!!) I was at the Substance Operation Center when, I think it was Mark Mellon or someone else that handed me a flyer with Men of the city logo on front and that they had a fall kickoff for the subgroup. I decided to go check it out and see what it was all about on the following Thursday evening at Elmwood Church in Saint Anthony. It was at men of the city that changed my life for the better. I made some great friends there. My good friend; Nate who worked at well's Fargo bank helped me a lot with my foreclosure garbage and got Crooks of America of my back. (Bank of America) and that other worthless bank (2nd mortgage a pain to deal with company). Men of the city has a large group bi weekly and small groups on the off week of the large group. I joined Band of Brothers and 3 fold cord. Band of Brothers was bible studies, playing board games, good food, sports, and 3 fold cord is the group where we pray for each other, and talk about life's struggles. I have started a group called "men of the city ~ Game on!!!" It is a group who plays board games and take prayer requests.
There are so many Substance subgroup to attend that I have to flip a coin or two to decide witch ones to attend. People at Substance say "That I have a record of days in a row that I will attend at least one subgroup" My record is 27 straight day in a row that includes 4 subgroups in one day. Some of the Subgroups I attend is; Sunday night I attend Rampi,s Worship and prayer group. There they have food and fellowship followed by some worship music and Prayer. Where we lay hands on other people and pray for them. I receive prayer a lot as you never get enough. Monday nights I go to Deeper for (you guessed it!!!) Prayer and worship. Some of my favorite worship music is. Tear down the walls, With Everything and~~~ they all good. And they also have a prayer room where you can get some prayer. I hope to help out praying for people in the future. Wednesday I attend Living with Purpose. (I need to find a purpose in life). Every other Thursday is Men of the city subgroup. Well! there,s too many to list but I keep busy. (A little too busy at times).
Most of the time, I attend Saturday nigh service at Substance Operations Center. And at Sunday mornings at Northwestern Campus. I'm on the Green team for greeting at Saturday night and Sunday morning service and on the green team usher every third Sunday. Even when I,m not serving I like to hang out and chat with people. its hard not to since I'm an extravert. I have taken the Myers Briggs personality and I'm a ESFJ
This site was viewed
Webmaster’s Disclaimer - Please read this!!!
Click the buttons below on the left to view my army photos!Past concert page! Click the button on the Right to view photos I took in China!
Photo of me moving some rocks. 
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,” he is a new creation;” the old has gone, the new has come!
(NIV)
When I became a Christian 
This was taken at the 2011 Men's retreat I will be adding more photos soon from Men of the city retreat.
View, and sign my Guestbook
Web Counter
Times since August 20, 2011
Please sign my guest book. . When signing, please keep in mind I will only accept statements about this web site, which includes: Army photos,My China trip, paintball, concerts, Christianity, movies, music, or anything in good taste. Please be aware that if you post spam (which includes, advertising your sick adult materials, Viagra ads, come on make millions of dollars scams, or any other garbage), just remember that when you exit you leave behind your IP number - which I will gladly send to your internet provider if I deem it appropriate.
I reserve the right to delete, post, or edit any part of your postings in the guest book before I publish them (in other words all garbage, Spam, etc. will be deleted).
The webmaster retains copyright on all images listed here. If you wish to use them. Please E-mail me. Also you must give photo credit, and it is not for commercial usage.
© copyright 2011 James Secor
