As a kid, Gary Larson left Humboldts First Baptist Church each Sunday as if he were walking on eggshells.
I was scared, Gary recalled. There were all these rules, warnings couched in fire and brimstone.
Today, Gary is director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for eastern Kansas. His approach is to build relationships with students and coaches.
There are kids who have never been to church, dont have any idea of what being a Christian is. Some dont even know who Jesus is.
One kid came to me and said hed like to go to a church, but he didnt know where to get a ticket or how much it cost. I know that sounds crazy, but everywhere kids go concerts, ball games, you name it it costs something.
Melissa, Garys wife of 16 years, is just as involved. A registered nurse, she also has a pain clinic associated with his office in downtown Neodesha. Melissa uses an innovative process, Equiscope therapy, to relieve pain with electrical impulses.
GARY, 55, graduated from Humboldt High School in 1983. He played baseball at Allen County Community College, then took off for a while to find himself.
For 13 years he sold cars in Independence and seemed to be on the top of a wave. I was the life of every party, he said, with alcohol a frequent companion. At one party he had the mic, telling jokes and having what he thought was a good time.
But a conversation the next day with his daughter, Autumn, changed his life.
Autumn was also at the party. While there, a young man told her he wanted to be just like her dad. The life of the party.
That was a wake-up call.
Gary thought about what he had become, and decided, with Melissas help, to put God first.
I wanted to make a difference with kids, a positive difference.
Iola Pastor Phil Honeycutt, whom Gary had known for years, got wind of what Gary was thinking.
One day this guy rides up on a motorcycle, wearing leather pants and coat, Gary said.
