Ari Keller

Birthday: April 11, 1977
Birthplace: Mountain Home Idaho Air Force Base
Age: You can do the math, can't you? HAHA
Married: to the beautiful Rachelle Keller on June 5th, 1999 (almost 9 yrs.)
Children: Josiah David Keller 2
Levi Benjamin Keller 6 mo.
Favorite Food: All, but Lasagna is the best
Favorite Color: Blue and Green
Favorite TV Show: NCIS, The Unit
Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings, Twister, Star Wars
Favorite Books: LOTR Trilogy, This Present Darkness, THE BIBLE!!!!!!!!
Hobbies: Sports, hiking, Fishing, Hunting, video games, hanging out with family and friends.
Schooling: Graduated 5th in my class in high school
Attended WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE (1996)
Attended Pensecola Christian for one semester
Graduated from Tennessee Temple University with a degree in Bible (1999)
Currently have worked somewhat on my Masters degree, but presently in the school of Life

YOUTH PASTOR FOR 10 YEARS AND STILL MOVING FORWARD TO MANY MORE!!!!!

Testimony: I grew up in a non-Christian home that was broken. My parents divorced when I was three and it doesn't get any better after that. My mom has been married five times, and my dad three.

It was hard as a child always being tossed to and fro from house to house. All the lies and deception that got me all mixed up and confused really took its toll on me. I grew up seeing sexual abuse, physical abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, and with a concept that I was worth nothing and life was useless unless you lived for yourself, but that didn't even seem meaningful. I was lost and without hope and on several occasions had thought about suicide.

It was Easter Sunday when I was ten, I first set foot in a church that I can remember. My dad woke up drunk on the front lawn and decided it was time we went to church. Since that time, I have hardly missed a Sunday. WE got in involved in a little church, Bible Baptist of Mountain Home, Idaho. We were there several years, highly involved in several areas of the church. My dad was in charge of the bus ministry, and I helped out with it and the children's church program.

In March of 1989, we held an old fashioned revival at our church and had Wayne Rose come and speak. Monday night, he preached on Hell and all its darkness and torment. It scared me to death, but, when I saw my father go down and pray to receive Christ, it begin to make me wonder about myself.

Before this I thought that all my good works would get me into heaven, but I was not sure anymore. What was I missing? What could give me hope to escape the life that I grown up in and overcome the pain and turmoil in my heart and keep me from Hell? Well the next night He preached on Heaven and how God wants us to all be there with him and that is easy to do, I simple have to believe Christ died for my sins and confess them and make Him Lord of my life. As soon as they began the invitation at 9:42 pm, I ran down the aisle and prayed to receive Christ as my Savior.

Now I want to say, I am saved and so grateful, but it didn't make my life any easier. I still had to face many trials and battles with all that my family was going through. I still had to deal with the abuse issues, the lies, and so much more. No teenager should have to face all of that, but it brought me to my knees and made me begin to question God, WHY?? Why me? Why did he want me to go through all this?

I believe with my whole heart that I was put in this for a greater purpose; it was preparing me for my call to ministry. God was making me ready to be a minister of the gospel to Teens. During the summer between my Junior and Senior Years of High School, I felt the Lord calling me, and I surrendered to be used for His glory in full time service.

What a ride it has been since then. As I look back over my life, I can see How God has prepared me to be here at Hollis Center Baptist Church, and how I look forward to many years as your youth pastor to come.

If there is anything I can do for you please feel free to contact me, I want to help. I care for each of you and know God has a plan and a design for all of you.