Gary Geisler

Testimonial
Gary and Carol Geisler We have lived in the Twin Cities since 1981. We have been married for 33 years and been on Campus Crusade for Christ staff for 31 years. We have three grown children, all trained to be teachers. Jonathan teaches Computer Science at Taylor University, Benjamin is teaching biology and coaching football in a local high school and Sara is teaching elementary school (K-8). Who I am “ My faith story" By Gary - Growing up on a farm was a good experience for me. Being the oldest of 12 children gave me many opportunities for work on the farm with my brothers and sisters. Being the oldest also meant that I always wanted to do things to please my parents and others. I wanted to have their approval. In fact, throughout my entire life, I have wanted the approval of others. In school, I did quite well and received recognition and approval from most of my teachers. In my small country grade school, I received special recognition and was accelerated in my math course. Even though I didn't have the same recognition in Jr. High or High School, I still received much praise and recognition from the teachers. Throughout my school years, I kept looking for approval and recognition. I was trying to find significance from people and the activities that I was involved in. If I didn't achieve what I was going for, I would get down on myself and feel like an insignificant person. I was also looking for meaning and purpose for my life. I needed something to tie my life to. When I was a teenager, I remember many nights when I'd look up into the sky and wonder about the vastness of the universe and my own insignificance. I'd see how big everything seemed and I'd feel so small compared to it, I was just a speck. Then I'd think and wonder about the God who created it. And I would think, could I ever be good enough for Him. It was during this time that I was told that God really loved me and wanted me to experience His love and acceptance. I was also told that it was my sin that kept me from experiencing His love. I also learned that Jesus Christ died on the cross to forgive my sin. And all that I had to do was accept His payment for my sin and I would be forgiven and receive eternal life. His forgiveness would mean that I would be totally accepted by God as His child. I prayed and asked Christ to forgive my sin, to come into my life and to make me into the type of person that he wanted me to be. I still like receiving approval from others, but I know that God was accepted me. My acceptance by God is not based on how good I am or what I do. I have come to realize that God loves me unconditionally and He has accepted me as His child based upon my faith in Jesus Christ's death on the cross for me. When I look for significance and purpose in my job or the people around me, it comes up empty and I am disappointed. I find that any fulfillment in my life comes from a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. My wife, my family and my job have all let me down at times, but Christ has always been there. He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Inviting Jesus Christ to be my personal Lord and Savior, has changed my life in numerous ways. My life has purpose and meaning, I'm not just a small peck in a vast universe, but I am a person that is greatly loved by the Creator of this universe. My acceptance is not based on whom I know or what I do, but I can accept myself because God has accepted me because of Christ's death on the cross for me. And I know that I have eternal life because I know that Christ's spirit is living within me. Gary