 Hi... My name is David Drake.
From 1979 to 2006, I was extremely blessed in that I was able to serve East Holmes Academy as a teacher, coach and administrator. Although the school has closed, the memories from my time at East Holmes will be with me forever.
The individuals associated with East Holmes have had a major impact on my life. At the top of this list is Judy Tompkins.
In 1974, Mrs. Tompkins, my tenth grade English teacher, did for me what no one else had ever done. She told me what God's word says about every person having to give account of himself before God.
(Romans 14:11-12)"As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
At the beginning of class one day, she encouraged many of my fellow students to share their faith. That day, in the third desk of the first row, I realized for the first time in my life that I had a problem as far as God was concerned. I suddenly became aware that, if I were to die at that moment, I would be one of those unfortunate people described in Revelation 20. If the Bible is true (and I believe it is), they will be judged by their works and found guilty. The punishment will be an eternity of torment in the lake of fire.
In the opinion of most, I was a "good kid". I did NOT use alcohol or drugs. I did NOT use vulgar language. I did NOT run around with the "wild" bunch. I realized that day, however, that having broken the law in any one point meant that I was going to be judged guilty by a righteous God. The book of James states this truth in chapter 2, verse 10.
James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
Even though I had not done a lot of really "bad" things in life, I had lied before. I had disobeyed my parents before. I had done many things that would cost me my soul.
Although I had memorized John 3:16 earlier in my life, it had absolutely no meaning to me before that day.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
If you had walked up to me and asked me about my salvation, I probably would have asked you, "Why do I need to get saved? Saved from what? What have I done that is so bad?"
I believed that there was a God. I believed that a man named Jesus came and did some really neat things many years ago in Israel. That fall day in 1974, however, was the first time in my life that I realized that I was lost and condemned before God because of my sin nature. I understood for the first time that Jesus came and gave his life as a payment for my sin. That day the Lord changed my life forever. My name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life. If you have never given any thought to what will happen to you after death, read Rev 20:11-15.
Revelation 20:11 - 15 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the sea fled away, and there was no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life.
And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hades delivered up the dead that were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
If the Bible is true (and I believe it is), it is definitely something that deserves your immediate attention. If you know the God of this universe, don't assume everyone around you does. I didn't. I get really irritated when I hear someone say that everyone in America has heard the gospel.
There were many churches around me, but I never went to any of them. There were many good religious programs on TV, but I never watched any of them. I had many friends who were "Christians", but none of them ever told me about the Lord. There are MANY people that we meet every day that have not had the word of God explained to them.
I praise God for my tenth grade English teacher. She cared enough about me to share her faith with me. It has changed my life, and the life of my family, forever. I have had the privilege of spending many Sunday mornings teaching a Bible study at a center for folks who are recovering from drugs and/or alcoholic abuse. I want to leave you with a poem that a recovering alcoholic gave me one day. Most of the decisions he had made in his life had resulted in much grief for his family. One day, somebody did for him what my English teacher did for me. This is the poem he gave me. It is entitled "My Friend".
My friend, I stand in Judgment now
And feel that you're to blame somehow
On earth I walked with you day by day
And never did you point the way.
You knew the Lord in truth and glory
But never did you tell the story
My knowledge then was very dim
You could have led me safe to him.
Though we lived together here on earth
You never told me of the second birth
And now I stand this day condemned
Because you failed to mention Him.
You taught me many things that's true
I called you FRIEND and trusted you
But I learn now that it's too late
And you could have kept me safe from this fate.
We walked by day and talked by night
And you showed me not the light
You let me live and love and die
You knew I'd never live on high.
Yes, I called you "FRIEND IN LIFE"
And trusted you through fun and strife
And yet, on coming to this dreadful end
I cannot now, call you "MY FRIEND."
I now have the privilege to serve the MAIS as the Associate Director of Activities & Director of Technology. I love my job and my co-workers. The Lord has been very good to me and my family. As with my previous job, I see it as a ministry. Please pray that I use my time here in a way that will please the Lord.
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