"I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at the age of 11 years old in a small church in Northern California.

My earliest memory of my Christian experience was going with my Grandpa and Grandma, to a little country church in Shirley, Arkansas.

I was only about five years old when the Preacher asked if anybody had a favorite hymn we should sing, and I shouted out; “I am Bound For The Promised Land”. Everybody got a good laugh as we all sang it together. Going to the the little country church in Shirley with my Grandma and Grandpa is a memory I'll always cherish.

I always look back to that place and time as the beginning of my desire to know about God, and to know Him personally. My Grandma and Grandpa loved the Lord. I was sure of it. Their whole life revolved around Him.

I was born with the name John Preston Privitt, but I was raised with the name John Carter (Carter being my mother’s maiden name). I got my middle name after my Uncle, Preston Carter. He is one of my heroes.  He served in the 4th Armor Division, 3rd Army, under General George Patton. He was awarded three bronze stars and a Purple Heart in World War II. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge.  His tank was  part  of those who spearheaded the forward movement. At 19 years old he was in the battle at Bastogne, Belgium  the Christmas of 1944. Uncle Preston's tank ran over a road mine and they had to dismount the tank and as they were on foot they received heavy mortar fire and he was hit with shrapnel in the leg and foot. My Uncle Harvey Carter was on a ship at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed.  He spent the rest of his life in a wheel chair. He was a good man.

Segway....

Early on in High School, I picked up the nick name “Cody”. All of my friends began to call me “Cody” or “J.C.” It wasn’t long before everyone called me John Cody Carter. Even though I used my birth name “Privitt” when I got married and had kids, all of those who knew me still called me John Cody Carter. So, I have two names. The only one that matters to me is what the Lord calls me on that day He takes roll.

To this day most of my close friends call me Cody.