Rekate had a life changing experience flying on a commercial airline leaving Las Vegas and was within seconds of crashing. The airbags came down and the stewardess walked past him saying “were going down,” including locking herself into her own seat not to help anyone. Roger’s partner later told him he was seconds from jumping off the plane looking out the window. The pilot later got control of t
he plane after the backup system finally started working and then flew back to the airport like they were in the Indy 500. The pilot later said in 30 years of flying this has never happened to me and you have something to tell your grandkids. “ I just remember praying that the Lord would save everyone on the plane” and I realized then my “Journey in Life” could be short and I wanted to start making difference in helping others. Within weeks my wife “Theresa” and I decided to start at a new church James River Assembly in Springfield, Missouri. In April, 2006 after being at a the new church pastor John gave us a message to reach out and challenged me to get involved with helping others. I decided to volunteer for prison ministry to go into the Greene county jail every three months helping our prison team in the chapel. I have been blessed to see 1,000 men make decisions for Christ in the six years I have been involved and have seen the need to help these individuals one on one as they transition into society.
In April, 2010 the one on one idea was born where one person helps another and if they receive help the individual is then challenged to help another. The one on one program was named after the great “Pistol Pete Maravich” who became a Christian at age 40 after years of ups and downs. Pete was the all-time scorer in college Basketball history in just 3 years. He became an ambassador in helping others after he became a Christian really focusing on the youth of our country. Roger personally tested the one on one program in 2011 helping one inmate out of a state prison in Missouri to see if the one on one program could really make a difference. In December, 2011 Life’s Journey received its tax exempt status as a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization. This will allow any individual or business to contribute for a tax deductible contribution. In July, 2012 two committees were formed to help in two major areas of focus. This includes the Student & Military committee for helping young kids and military needs. In addition, a 2nd committee was formed for the prison & homeless of our country. Both committees will focus to help others with the one on one program. In December, 2012 we publicly announced our non-profit and awarded two scholarships for baseball and fishing. The Julie Martin Fishing scholarship and Dick Birmingham Baseball scholarship was named in order for kids to receive opportunities for fishing and playing baseball. Our hope and prayer is to help others one on one making a difference in their lives. We will be partnering with other organizations along this journey and ask for your continued prayers. Everyone in Life has a beginning and an end to their journey. I challenge you to volunteer one on one helping another, serving on a committee, or to donate. This will bless your life in ways you can’t imagine.
