Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
On Saturday, Dec. 12, Chris Musgrove will be holding a book signing for his first book, "Journey to My FutureNow." The book details the unlikely beginning of his student outreach ministry that has reached thousands of teenagers over the past 30 years.
Musgrove is no stranger to the church community in our area, having ministered as a youth pastor and evangelist in North Florida and South Georgia for over thirty years. In 1990, Musgrove embarked on a new mission to broaden his ability to reach teenagers for Christ. Area Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Steve McHargue contacted Musgrove with a request for help in facilitating local in-school assemblies.
The first assembly was held at the Suwannee County Coliseum and, after months of preparation, the team of volunteers was hoping for two hundred students to attend the evening outreach. Instead, approximately 2,200 kids showed up and 400 responded to the altar call at the close of the service. The success of this assembly ignited a passion in Musgrove that continues to this day.
Musgrove's book details how this successful ministry was turned into a full-time opportunity. Musgrove recalls that he wasn't sure what he would have to offer that would draw crowds of kids to his assemblies and meetings. "In the 1980s, we had groups like the Power Team that would break concrete blocks and baseball bats, or tear large phone books in half while sharing the Gospel," said Musgrove. "I couldn't break a rotten hoe handle."
What Musgrove did have was a gift for communication and a story to tell about how God changed him from a class clown and a college drop-out to a man on a mission. "I got arrested once and I was completely without direction for my life," said Musgrove. That all began to change when Musgrove's brother, Steve, left a mini-book in his apartment that shared the Gospel. Chris gave his life to Christ after reading it and has been loving and leading people to Jesus ever since.
"Journey to my FutureNow" is quick and enjoyable read that will inspire you to find your gifting and purpose to make a difference in the world around you. The book is available at chrismusgroveministries.com, and can be purchased locally at New Life Bible Book Store, in Live Oak.