God Wants Me!: Embracing ministry and my unique self at the same time (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781985650688)

DeChard Irlin Henrick Marshall-Freeman (Pastor FREE), was born February 27, 1982 in Houston, Texas to Anthony Freeman and Carol Marshall. He accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior at the age of 6. With the call of God apparent on his LIFE from an early age, it was no surprise when he acknowledged his call to preach the Gospel at the age of 8 years old. DeChard Freeman began to exhibit signs of leadership, ministry and the hand of God on his LIFE in school and through community organizations (Teen Leadership Austin, Mt. Sinai Youth Min., Who's Who, St. John District Youth, Austin Children's Chorale, Austin Chapter Youth Choir, No Weapon, etc...) Pastor FREE attended Austin Schools graduating from Stephen F. Austin High in 2000. After receiving a clear call to pastoral ministry, Freeman determined to complete his undergraduate studies at Huston-Tillotson University, where he served as the Asst. to the Chaplain and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology (May 2004). While at HTU, Freeman met and fell in love with Kayla Ardoin and they married November 12, 2004. DeChard and Kayla are the proud parents of Micah, Caleb and Josiah Freeman. After graduating from HTU, Freeman went on to pursue his M. Div from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (grad. May 2008). While in school, Freeman served as the Youth/Young Adult Minister at Mt. Sinai Church. In Sept. 2008, Pastor FREE launched the Abundant LIFE Church (ALC) in Pflugerville, Texas. As pastor of ALC, he has led this ministry to hundreds of members, multiple worship experiences, multi-site ministry and a $1.6 million ministry campus. In 9 years of church LIFE, Pastor FREE has led ALC to produce 10 narrative sermons, a live recording, studio recordings, 2 movies, outreach efforts, a summer camp and a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, etc. Pastor FREE is noted and awarded as a community leader in Greater Austin. He serves as co-founder of the Next Level Ministry Fellowship, Founder of FREE Ndeed Ministries, CEO of ALCDC, Asst. Youth Coordinator of St. John District and Board Member of CTGA. Pastor FREE is a nationally recognized evangelist, a song writer, producer and artist, a film maker, community organizer and now author! Pastor FREE believes his LIFE's call is to present the Gospel to the world with clarity, creativity, collaboration and "coolness." His favorite Scripture is John 10:10 and favorite hymn is "The Blood..." He is committed to family and ministry until the LORD calls him from labor to reward!