Todd's Testimony - The Caudles to Native Alaska

I was born in Eden, N.C. to John & Debbie Caudle within a stone's throw of the Virginia State Line - in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I am proud of my Southern Heritage. It still stirs me up whenever I see that Confederate Battle Flag.

I remember at an early age going to church. I remember our Pastor at Maple Lawn Baptist Church - Roy Goodson was a fiery preacher. It was here that my Dad surrendered to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.

We moved to Greenville, S.C. when I was four, where my Dad attended Bible College at Tabernacle Baptist Church. It was here that I heard the gospel preached and understood it for the first time.

Dr. Harold B. Sightler the pastor, (who to me as a little boy seemed to look like what Moses or Noah may have looked like) was preaching one evening service, on exactly what I don’t know, but I do know he preached about Hell. God got a hold of my heart that night as a 5 year old boy and showed me I was a sinner, lost and on my way to a Devil’s Hell. I went home that night under great conviction and could not sleep. I kept tossing and turning, when finally I had had enough. I jumped out of bed and ran into my parents bedroom and exclaimed, “Daddy I’ve gotta get saved!” My dad came back with me to my bedroom and prayed with me. That night I called on the Lord and he saved me. What joy filled my soul! My sins were forgiven! I was on my way to Heaven! From that day on I loved my Bible. It was my most precious possession. A lot of pictures of me as a little boy show me clasping my Bible to my chest.

Tabernacle was a large church, but unusual for its size. Dr. Sightler would preach and heaven would come down in many a service. It was a shouting church, where you felt free to lift up your voice and Praise the Lord. I remember men running the aisles. I remember Papa Burns walking down the aisle with his cane. He couldn’t run like the young fellers, but you knew when Papa Burns got out of his seat, the cup was running over! I remember the old widow’s raising their hankies in the air. Looking back, I know all of this was due to the fact that this was a God-fearing, Praying church.

Every Wednesday night service, all the men would come and kneel around the altar and pray in unison while the ladies prayed in their seats. Approaching the church from the outside I remember many a time hearing the roar of men praying, coming from the Men’s Prayer Room upstairs before each service.

I remember singing in the choir with my Dad. I like it when I see churches with children singing with the adults in the choir. These are always the best choirs. What sweet memories we are making when we include our children in our worship to the Lord. And yes, kids can be trained to sit in Church as soon as they can sit up on their own. Don't stick them in the nursery! Let them hear the preachin' when they are very young. It will get in their heart, and more than you realize sometimes. Isn't strange how a small child can sit and watch a movie and not move a muscle or never have to go to the restroom. They can do it if they want to.

I don't exactly remember when I was called to preach. I have been preaching almost ever since I can remember. Soon after I was saved God put the call to preach his Word on my heart. I do remember my official first sermon was at a Nursing Home for the Elderly in Greenville. I couldn't have been much over 7 or 8 yrs old. My text was in 1 John 1.3 "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." I preached on the importance of Fellowship with God and how to get that Fellowship. If I had always heeded my first message, it would have saved me from many a trouble throughout my life.

When I was eleven the Lord called my family to be missionaries to Canada. We completed our Deputation in a little over a years time. It was exciting to say the least. From Maine to Florida we went. I've seen most of the Eastern States. So far, only Alaska excels North Carolina and Virginia in beautiful landscape.

At first, moving to Canada was an adventure. We went to Quebec where they speak French. That was interesting! For the longest time after my family arrived in Canada, I was defiant that I was American and always would be. I had my Star-Spangled Banners on the wall of my room... but over time God showed me that this was His will and that I needed to accept it. Today I know for me to move outside of God's Will would be the biggest mistake of my life and I am content in His perfect will.

I have seen a missionary work started from the ground up. Its hard work! Lots of knocking on doors, giving out tracts, going the second mile, prayer and just being faithful. I thank God for my Dad and Mom that raised me right to Fear God, and who have shown exemplary faithfulness over the years.

The Lord gave me the sweetest, most wonderful wife a man could have. I thank God for his goodness to me. The Lord has taught us much in our eleven years of marriage together and I know he has much, much more. We are both Second Generation Christians.

We are the proud parents of our daughter, Abby (Abigail). She certainly "Gives Joy" and we are so thankful for her.

We look forward to what God wants to do in Alaska...