Some People Change II. The Clifton Jansky Story

Last time out we discussed how the Gospel of Jesus changes us for the better and transforms our lives.  On September 11, 2011 our church will be blessed by such a life.  Clifton Jansky will be singing at our church.  He is the 2004 Christian CMA Artist of the Year.  Part of his testimony from his website (CliftonJansky.com) reads:

You would hear these words, and find me under the spotlights of some south Texas dance hall every Saturday singing ”Amarillo by Morning”. For 22 years I entertained south Texas with my country music and became one of the well-known performers in the area. With twelve regional hits on country radio including, ”Amarillo by Morning”, which was later recorded by George Strait, a national recording contract seemed to be the next step in my career. However, after several trips to Nashville and opening shows for artists like Gary Morris, Lee Greenwood, Tanya Tucker and Eddie Rabbitt, the big break had not come, and my childhood dream of performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry seemed just out of reach.

I grew up on the Southeast of San Antonio and graduated from East Central High School in 1975.My parents always encouraged me in my music and taught me right from wrong with my brother and three sisters. My mother went to church sometimes, but I had only been a couple of times on Christmas and Easter. I was not a drug addict or an alcoholic, I was a good, moral, respected person who made a good living singing country music. I didn’t know that there was more to life than this.

In November 1983, someone stole my band trailer, and I lost everything that I owned in  country music. Two months later, I went through a divorce unaware of God’s plan for marriage or my life because no one had ever shared that with me. I began to go to a Bible study at a relative’s house, and at the age of 27, I heard the Word of God for the first time. I was told that God loved me so much that he sent his only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay the price for my sins, and that He had a plan for my life.

A short time after that, God’s Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that I was a sinner and that there was an emptiness in my heart and life that only Jesus could fill. On May 3, 1984 in a little farmhouse in Sutherland Springs, Texas I got down on my knees and confessed my sins to God and by faith received forgiveness of all my sins through Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. I took my eyes off of everything in my life, put my eyes totally on Jesus, and he changed me. After praying that simple prayer, I felt as if I weighed only three ounces, for the weight of my sin had been removed and I was saved. Saved from sin, death and hell and saved to abundant, victorious life in Jesus and the hope of Heaven when I die. For the first time in my life, there was an overwhelming peace about everything that had ever happened to me and as I began to read the Bible, I had a desire to follow God’s plan for my life.

The Lord has knocked on various areas of my life after becoming a Christian including country music and personal relationships. In regards to my country music career, my response was, ”Use me where I’m at or take me out. ”Well, he did, and on July 22, 1989 I ended a 22 year career in country music. Five days later at a youth camp I sensed God calling me into full-time Christian service. From that moment on, my family and I have been totally dependent upon the Lord for our every need and He has been faithful.

Please join us on September 11, 2011 as Clifton Jansky ministers in music and the word.  Come and see how the power of God can change a life.  Come just to hear some good Christian country music.

Below is a video of Clifton singing his testimony in the song: ” Amarillo by Morning to Amazing Grace”.  The concert will be held at New Hop Christian Church, 700 S. Main, Del Rio, TX at 2:00 PM.

hope to see u there

pastor greg t.