Posts Tagged ‘5 Things’

5 Things About Author Brett Parks

posted on by Susie

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Brett Parks wrote the incredible true life story “Miracle Man: A Bullet that Ignited a Purpose-Filled Life.” Here are Brett’s “five things”:

I was an actor In New York. I don’t like to tell many people this, but, yes, I tried my hand in acting. I even went as far as going to New York and pursue my dream of being the next Marlon Brando (who is my favorite actor). I’d love to say that I made it to Broadway and later starred in a Blockbuster, but, sadly, that wasn’t in the cards for me at that juncture of my journey. But I WAS in a few Off-Broadway shows and Miracle Manlater was cast in a leading role as a “Kung Fu Vampire” in an independent film in Bermuda (The only reason I took the role). The film was left unfinished after “the money” pulled out of the project. I wasn’t upset at all. All the following week, I went fishing and swimming. Not a bad way to make a living.

I hate cutting my fingernails and toenails. I don’t know why, but I’ve always hated cutting my finger and toe nails. It’s not that I’m afraid of cutting my nails; it’s just the tediousness of it. I feel like my nails grow super fast and I’m so busy, that I can’t stand taking 10 minutes out of my day to clip them. I think God heard my complaints though when he took my right foot. Now, it doesn’t take NEARLY as long to clip my nails! Come on, guys, that’s funny.

I’m an International athlete. I was pulled out of a pool in Houston, Texas and thrown onto a volleyball court. I didn’t know it at the time, but that would change my life. I am now onBrett Parks 4 The USA Sitting Volleyball A2 team and looking to compete in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan. In 2014, I competed in the first annual Invictus Games (17 Nations with over 500 wounded/ill athletes) in London and will be competing in this year’s Invictus Games located in Orlando, Florida. I’m excited to bring the Gold home.

My wife and I are expecting our THIRD baby. My wife was seven months pregnant with our little girl (Stella) when I was shot and nearly died. Stella was born while I was still in the hospital and I felt robbed of her birth. For a while after, I wanted to try for a third but didn’t want to push my wife until she was ready. Well, she brought it up and I was ready to go. We prayed to The Lord and asked Him to have His hand in the decision. We set on a six-month timeline tBrett Parks 5o get pregnant. If, after 6 months, Susan wasn’t pregnant, we would take it that The Lord didn’t see fit that we have another. First, second, third and fourth months went by with no result. We were feeling as if another baby wasn’t in the cards for us. At month six, we were taking one last pregnancy test just so we could move on (we figured there wasn’t going to be a baby). I was so surprised when my wife ran out of the bathroom and jumped on me, knocking me onto the bed (don’t be too hard on me, I only have one leg) and yelled that she was pregnant! We didn’t hesitate holding each other and praising God for His perfect timing. We are very excited to announce that we are having a little boy! His name is John Rockefeller Parks (Johnny Rocco for short) and we are expecting him in July. Our kids are SO happy!

I’ve had dreams of being a professional wrestler. As early as I can remember, I have been in love with wrestling. I never really thought it was “Real”. I kind of always knew that it was a form of theater and entertainment. I’ve always appreciated the athleticism and choreography behind the storylines. Upon leaving New York in 2006, I was going to enlist myself in a wrestling school in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, I was 190 lbs. and I told myself that if I could get myself to 200 lbs., I would register for school. After a few months, I got to 200 Lbs., but I was having knee problems at the time and the extra weight was really wearing my knee down. So, I decided to forgo a wrestling career. As of right now, I am 225 lbs. and my knees feel great! Maybe I still have a shot to get into the squared circle! I’m sure there is a good storyline for an amputee, if you smell what The Rock is cookin! Maybe that could be the follow up to Miracle Man!

5 Things About Author David Garcia

posted on by Susie

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author David Garcia wrote the book Portrait of a Powerful Last-Day Christian, available now. Here are David’s “five things”:

We spent 9 years as full-time missionaries. From January, 1976-July, 1980, in the inner city of Bronx, New York (where Nellie and I were born and raised), working in an inner city church doing evangelism and discipleship. Also from July, 1980- November, 1984, in Zimbabwe, Africa, right after the government changed from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. We were involved in church planting, evangelism, discipleship, and directed a bible school.

Portrait of a Powerful Last-Day ChristianWe have been pastoring Grace World Outreach Church, Brooksville, Florida for 26 years. This is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church of 1,600+ people, with a strong emphasis on evangelism, missions, and discipleship.

I travel world-wide teaching in churches, leadership seminars, pastors schools. I especially have a passion for teaching teenagers and young adult singles on biblical romance and godly relationships. In addition, in the pastors schools I train pastors in Kigoma, Tanzania covering subjects that include Leadership, how to disciple new converts, marriage enrichment, authority over demonic powers, dealing with witch doctors, healing, and bible prophecy. I have a team from our church in the area who are reaching unreached people groups which include the Tongwe and Regwe people. In addition, I also minister in Mindinao, Philippines conducting evangelistic crusades, leadership training, and discipleship. I serve as an apostolic advisor to two organizations: one in Dipolog & the other in Pagadian City. The group in Dipolog is also reaching unreached people groups in the remote areas. In addition, Inhave a passion for the UK and have preached in churches in Hull, Wolverhampton, London, and Manchester. I have a conviction that since Britain planted the seeds of the Gospel in our country & is now post modern with less than 2% of the population saved, that as the US Cuvier j invests in the UK, revival will come to the US.

My wife Nellie and I are avid college football fans. Since she is a Florida State Seminole and I’m a Florida (Univ of Florida) Gator fan (both teams are state rivals!), football season is very interesting in our household and church!!!

I am an avid reader of history, especially military history. I have a large collection of war movies including the Civil War, World Wars 1, World War 2, and others. I firmly believe if we do not learn from the past, we are bound to repeat the same mistakes in the future.

5 Things About Author Holly Mthethwa

posted on by Susie

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Holly Mthethwa wrote the recently released book Hot Chocolate in June, available now. Here are Holly’s “five things”:

I discovered a deep love for writing when I was 11. My teacher entered a poem I’d written into a school competition in which the winner got to attend a Young Authors Conference. I ended up taking first place in my age group and got to attend the conference and workshops. It was through that experience that a passion for writing began to etch itself upon my childhood heart. I still have my young author t-shirt and held it up to stare at shortly after I signed my publishing contract with Ambassador for Hot Chocolate in June.

I used to be devastated I wasn’t musically gifted. I played the cello for a year and a half until I moved to a new school that didn’t offer orchestra. I was last chair among the many cello players and my parents cringed when I practiced. I switched to playing the clarinet at my new school and was last chair again—and there were a number of chairs (though I was eventually able to move up a couple of spots). That, along with having been rejected for a song solo, led me to believe I should rather stick to writing.

Hot Chocolate in JuneRedemption is one of the themes I want to take the spotlight in Hot Chocolate in June. One of my most favorite things about Jesus is that He takes our muck, our sin, our shame, and our rebellion and not only forgives us, but gives us a new identity in Him. I want others to see that amongst my adventures and love story; and to claim the truth of His love and grace for themselves.

Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan was one of my favorite books growing up. I wanted to live in Maine like Sarah once had. My cousin and I would daydream about one day sitting in rocking chairs on the wraparound porch of our old Victorian house by the sea. I’ve yet to visit Maine and think my heart will burst with joy the day I do.

My life verse speaks of gentleness. I find it incredibly easy to be gentle with the hurting, the poor, and strangers, but sometimes my family and friends aren’t on the receiving end of my gentleness. My mom says there are times when I’m about as cuddly as a porcupine; and my husband agrees. I think we can easily forget about our fleshly tendencies to be prickly to those closest to us; and find myself a big work in progress in this area. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” –Philippians 4:5

Five Things About Author Joanie Bruce

posted on by Susie

Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Joanie Bruce wrote the recently released book A Memory Worth Dying For, available now. It’s the anticipated follow up to her first novel, Alana Candler: Marked for Murder.  Here are Joanie’s “five things”:

I surprised my family when I told them I had a book accepted for publication. None of my family, even my husband, knew I was writing until I was completely done with the first manuscript. Fear of being incompetent as a writer kept me from sharing with my family, but love of clean, Christian suspense/romance books kept me writing anyway. My inspiration for improving my writing style comes from being an avid reader of “how to” books—how to create characters, add conflict, build suspense, and write from the correct point of view. Many of my friends are surprised that a former first grade teacher would find writing about murder and intrigue interesting, but I find it both challenging and fun. It’s a rewarding way to honor the Lord with the abilities He has given me.

Besides being an authW by Joanie Bruceor, I’m also an artist. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to paint portraits and has given me the wonderful opportunity to have pictures hanging in the governor’s private office in Atlanta, Georgia, the late Senator Charlie Norwood’s office in Washington, D.C. and a portrait of George Bush in the private collection of George and Laura Bush in Texas. The funny thing about this talent is that I never knew I could draw—especially not portraits—until about eleven years ago. God’s timing is always perfect!

I love music and play several musical instruments: piano, pedal harp, harmonica, and a little guitar. When I was in high school, I took drum lessons and played privately for a couple of years. I have to say, though, that the piano is my favorite. When I’m upset or tired, I play for relaxation and for inspiration. I’ve written several arrangements for popular hymns, and I thoroughly enjoy making up new arrangements on the piano. There is only one problem with this skill: I hate preforming in front of others. I hardly ever write my arrangements down because I play them from memory, and I’m sure you know how memory plays tricks on you when you’re in front of a crowd.  =)

I’ve actually milked a real cow. My husband was raised in the dairy business and was managing his own dairy when we married. Before we sold the dairy cows in 2012 and changed totally to beef, we celebrated thirty-three years of running our own dairy business. I have milked cows by hand, put on automatic milking machines, run calves through the pasture trying to steer them toward the loading chute, and fed baby calves with a bottle. For this city gal, born and raised in the city, living in the country was an experience. But I have to say … country living is the BEST. I love watching the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets from our house sitting high on the hill, and watching the beef cows grazing in the pasture in front of our home. There’s nothing like country living!

I hate loud noises that scare me to death: Balloons, mouse traps, smoke alarms, canned biscuits, and thunder are not my favorite things. I make my husband replace the battery in the smoke alarm when it warns of a weak battery because I can’t stand the anticipation of waiting for that loud “beep” that surprises you when the battery is first installed. I also make him open the canned biscuits, crescent rolls, or cinnamon rolls before I cook them. That “pop” when they burst open almost gives me a heart attack.