To Whom It May Concern

A special day that comes only once in a lifetime

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 (Now it is August 24)

Today is a special day on God’s “calendar” and on our wall calendar too. This is what I mean.

We began this little epistle with the words, “To whom it may concern,” for we know that it may not concern all of you. You may not have an interest in this, thus we are sorry to bother you. On the other hand, we know that at least some of you would be interested in my past, especially a day of this magnitude.

Years ago, perhaps it was on a Thursday, I received a rare phone call and Mother answered, then gave the phone to me. (This was unusual in itself for a telephone was only used for speaking. How times have changed! Anyway, let me proceed.) (By the way, we realize that “Mom” is the preferred term, but today and in the past, it was Mother.)

Since about January of that year, I had been learning about salvation and baptism. I spent much time in my room, with door shut, seeking Jesus and God’s will. His Word became very precious to me. Finally I (along with a friend) took our bicycles and peddled to another close town (named Zelienople). There I went up a hill outside of this town and asked about the involvement that they had with a television program I had watched weekly for some months. He knew nothing about it, thus we peddled back home, up and over the Pennsylvania hills, dejected and wondering what to do next.

This brings me to the summer of that eventful year. All summer long I read, studied and learned more. With closed doors of my bedroom, I studied Scripture and wondered what my next move would be. I would look out of the window, to the east, and pray, with the Bible at my side and wondered what the future would be. This is when I received that phone call mentioned above.

Two men (preachers) from two other states had arrived in town and we agreed to meet at the little local school (where I had gone for eight years) and the one man asked what they could do to help me. I told them that I did want to be baptized now, presently, at this very moment! They then took me to the local park that I knew so well, then we walked down the embankment to the large rock that jutted into the water. One of the preachers immersed me in those cool waters, then I rose to walk in newness of life. We ascended the hill, sat in the car, and traveled to my home. While still two blocks away, they went on their way and I walked back to the house, changed my clothes, and waited for the inevitable.

When my parents came to the room that night, my father became angry and my mother began to cry. Dad wondered how I could do this, inasmuch as he had taught me according to the dictates of his denomination. And Mother was sad that I had departed from their background in their Protestant group of which they were members. (Interestingly, a few years later they too departed from this denomination, considering it liberal.) This began the beginning of my journey in life. I have no time to pursue this, but wanted to share this event with you, my readers and friends.

Much has transpired since that time. I went to a local “Christian” college for several years (from home), then for several years I pursued a path of secular work (at the government behest, as alternative to the military), then worked in a friend’s business (for a year), then traveled the country (of America). I also went to various colleges in other states. After working in another state, I went back to the original state and worked various jobs and finally went back to other schools in this state of Texas (and elsewhere) for several years. (Also, I went to other schools elsewhere.)

Finally, I came to Texas (where I now reside) and worked in the secular field, in lieu of the military, while reading and studying on my own, and collecting books and literature of a Christian nature. When I was fired a few years ago (since I refused to obey non-Christian orders), I continued to work at home. It was at this time that I married (for the first time) to a wonderful woman and eventually found a house that we bought at half-price. Here I placed all of my books and literature and other Christian work (that I had stored for 22 years). And so this is where I find myself at present, typing about this eventful time of my life.

As you can see, much has happened since that special day years ago (about which I write and remember). God has brought me from a searching lad to the present time, by His grace and according to His power. Much remains to be done, if the Lord gives me the time and strength. I have a dozen things in mind, but I am aware that we don’t know what the future might be (James 4:14-15; Proverbs 29:1). Only God knows what lies ahead and we will give our future and our all to Him and His will.

In the meanwhile, I continue on, and seek God and His will in all I do. My wife is working here and I daily pursue Him. Presently, I have a website (www.Truediscipleship.com) and have access to Facebook, with perhaps thousands from the first outreach and 4,800 from the latter. I have no idea where this will lead but know that God knows the future. May He be praised now and always!

This is my past. Yes, I was baptized (immersed) on August 23 but, of course, this was not my only baptism. Since that time, many years ago, I was re-immersed, thanks to God and under His direction. It has always been my desire to follow His will, wherever it may take me. This may be to be “baptized” originally in Ellport (near Ellwood City), or it may be to be rebaptized (reimmersed) since that time. What does the Lord have for my future? God alone knows and it is good to allow Him to decide.

Thank you for being my friend and for reading these words. Yes, they are touching and they are significant. Only God knows what they represent and where it will all end. May He be praised now and always.

Richard Hollerman

4813 Shell Ridge Drive

Fort Worth, TX 76133