As a Christian author, I am often guilty of simply pasting my standard bio in the "About" section of blogs, websites and social networking sites. But the truth is, there is more to what God has done in my life besides produce books and speak at churches. First and foremost, I am a born-again Christian. I invited Jesus into my heart on January 14th, 1989. I was a shy, introverted high school student who struggled with fear, rejection, and a poor self-image. All of that changed when over the years, I began to grow stronger in my walk with God. The more I learned who He was, the more confident I became in who He made me. So naturally, the shyest guy of the class of '91 became a street preacher. I proclaimed the gospel in New York subways as glazed over onlookers stared blankly, pretending not to listen to me. I handed out gospel tracts on street corners. I also volunteered at my Brooklyn church every week, in whatever capacity that was asked of me.

In 1998, God blessed me with my wonderful wife, Ose Burnett, and we moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to start a family, and a ministry. The family has already begun. I have two sons, Niral Russell (7), and Thomas Anthony (5). They are a major reason why I work hard to stay focused on what God has called me to do. I am a writer and a preacher. I will one day be a pastor. That day will come when the tests of character and knowledge are complete in me, and I can give my community a church that can impact their lives. In the meantime, literature is my medium to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Precious things are not found in pretty places. They are found in dangerous places where most men fear to tread. In my Christian walk, I have been to many of these dangerous places, and I believe that those are the places where God is closest, although it seems that He is farthest away. You can read about those dangerous places in my book, "From Broke to Broken: Embracing a Life that Lacks Nothing." If you have taken the time to read all of this, I am persuaded that this book will irreversibly impact your life.

Today, I am the co-founder of NiOse Communications Company - a company whose vision is to publish materials that change lives. I am the author of Tithing and Still Broke: Exploring the Reasons Christians Suffer Lack, From Broke to Broken: Embracing a Life that Lacks Nothing, Daily Meditations for the Kneeling Christian, and the upcoming release, First Love: Unveiling the Passion of Radical Christianity. I am a former project development editor for Harrison House Publishers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and have also worked as a freelance writer. For Honor Books, I compiled/wrote Water From the Rock: African American Edition, Voices of Hope: Timeless Expressions of Faith from African Americans, God Has Soul: Celebrating the Indomitable Spirit of African Americans and served as contributing author for the devotional, Daily Grace: Devotional Reflections to Nourish Your Soul, also published by Honor Books.

Finally, I will never abandon my conviction that through good and bad times, God has been faithful to me, even when I was not faithful at all. In the midst of my darkness and sin, I lifted up my eyes, and somehow, God still loved me, accepted me, and changed my life.