A LITTLE ABOUT ME...

Thanks for visiting my site. This project has been long in the

making, and is very special to me. I am thankful to be able

to share the insights and truth God has shown me over the

years. I hope they bless and encourage you too.

I was born in Southern California in 1954. At the age of

fifteen, I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus that

altered the course of my life. Almost as soon as I gave my

life to Jesus, I knew I was called into ministry. I spent the

next several years devouring the Scriptures and seeking that

call. I published a Christian newspaper called "The Last

Edition" when I was seventeen, and spent hours on Hollywood

Boulevard passing them out. A girl and a guy from my church

and I started a band called, "Isaias", and together we wrote

and performed over 100 songs. I continued to do small

concerts even after we broke up.

When I was eighteen, I had a startling and life-changing

encounter with God driving home one day, when I became

aware of the magnitude of the child abuse and child

pornography problem. I remember pulling off to the side of

the road on the way to work and weeping uncontrollably until

my insides ached. I prayed one simple, powerful prayer that

would change the entire course of my life: "Jesus, whatever it

takes, use me. I want to help these kids. I'll do anything you

ask."

Within months, I received a direct word to enter Bible college,

and I enrolled in Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas.

There, that calling was sharpened, and other aspects of

ministry were added, including sign language and touring with

the original Signs of Love choir.

After a year, I returned home and went to work with my

pastor, Rev. Glenn Adkins of Topanga Community Church in

Topanga Canyon, CA. Wow. Talk about a ministry. Rev. Glenn

went where angels - and most Christians - feared to tread.

(And he still is!) And I went right along with him, eventually

doing evangelistic work in Hollywood. It would take another

book just to outline all the adventures, and all the miracles

of that time. I am deeply indebted to Glenn for taking me

under his wing and giving me a place to minister.

In the fall of that year, I was hired as a full time counselor

for Youth Defenders, a live-in center for organic and drug

related brain damaged kids. What a challenge. What an

opportunity to learn God-kind of love. I left there in the

winter, and found myself speaking to over 1,000 people at

Church At El Paso in El Paso, Texas.

For the next ten years, I was engaged in crisis counseling,

youth outreach, youth evangelism, missions, media, and a host

of other incredible ministry positions and opportunities. I was

able to travel to Mexico, Canada, Europe and Indonesia as

well.

In 1987, I landed in El Paso Texas, embarking on what would

be the most dangerous, difficult and phenomenal work God had

ever given me. I began to work for the WATCH NETWORK, a

ministry established to inform, teach and train law

enforcement, professionals and churches about the danger of

satanic crime. At the same time, I was approached by a

missionary's son, Tim Gamwell, and asked to take part in a

home Bible Study for a handful of kids who were involved in

the occult and wanted to learn about God. For the next ten

years, I was part of both of these works. In 1989, I

branched out from the WATCH NETWORK and began traveling

and speaking on my own - training and speaking to well over

200 criminal justice, medical, professional and church groups

and agencies since then. The youth group exploded, and in ten

years' time, we probably saw over 1000 kids come through

our doors seeking Jesus. It was the most awesome time of

ministry I have ever known.

Of course there was a price to pay, and there were many

attacks, threats, dangers, and actual losses. But when we

finally closed the youth work, JOEL, in 1997, it was with a

sense that we had done a good, right and eternal work. Tim

Gamwell was the real pioneer, leader and tireless laborer in

JOEL, I was just blessed to participate, teach and love those

kids when I was not traveling. And Sue Joyner, who founded

the WATCH NETWORK, was a true pioneer and advocate for

abused children. I owe them both a debt of gratitude.

My mother passed away in 1994, and my father in 1997, and

it was a difficult time. Nearly every ministry venture had

come to a standstill. Slowly, though, doors once again opened.

I became involved with a local interdenominational youth center

called "The Wayside", got to know a lot of kids, and through

that, landed at the church I now call home.

The Pastor is one in a million. He has completely opened his church to me and

welcomed me. In the difficult work I do, particularly as a

law enforcement trainer on occult crimes, having a place of

rest, acceptance and welcome is a true miracle to me.

I am still traveling frequently, dividing my time between youth

outreaches, church speaking and criminal justice training. When

I am home, I teach High School Sunday school and just hang

out with the kids I've come to love so much.

I am a blessed, happy man. And I can't wait to see what

God is going to do next!

Please let me know how I can pray for you or serve you.

And if you are interested in having me come and share at

your church or youth outreach, just write to me. Thanks and

may God bless and keep you in the shadow of His Wings.

My soul was bought for God,

Gregory Reid