For I Am Convinced

November 13, 2024 / by Steve McNair

In August of 1971 a 17-year-old boy from New Jersey, who had never flown before, boarded a plane in Philadelphia bound for Chicago’s O’Hare airport.

He was planning on playing football and attending Wheaton College. Little did he know that this journey was really about being united with Christ. It was about his life changing for eternity. Growing up he attended church but you see, in October of 1971 he truly recognized what it meant to follow hard after Christ and his life was transformed. It was then that he was “convinced.” He adopted Romans 8:38-39 as his “life verse.” Look it up.

Over the years this boy’s life had both highs and lows. He married his college sweetheart, they had two beautiful daughters and he had the privilege of walking them both down the aisle at their weddings. He also started and ran a successful business for nearly 30 years. Over those years he also lost his father to an untimely death, nearly lost his sweetheart in a horrible automobile accident, and walked alongside one of his precious daughters through the heartbreak of her divorce. All the while he continued to be convinced and united, depending on his Christ.

I was that 17-year-old boy from New Jersey. Now I am 70 years old. I have walked with Christ for 53 years. Over the past 12 years, I have served at a ministry to boys who are about the age I was when I became convinced of the Hope found only in Christ. Each day I am reminded of when I first trusted Christ as a teenager and His faithfulness for over a half a century! On July 3rd of this year I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The Lord has given me yet another opportunity to trust and be convinced of His faithfulness! Bless His name!

Steve “Mac” McNair and his wife Martha have been attending East White Oak for 50 years. They have two grown daughters and 7 grandchildren. Currently Mac serves at Salem4youth in Flanagan, IL. He enjoys spending time with his family. Mac is also a hobbyist beekeeper.