My name is Jerry Buchal, and I live in a small, rural community in west central Wisconsin where I was born and raised. My wife and I have been married for 27 years, and we have 3 children.

I was baptized and confirmed at a local Lutheran church, assuring me of the forgiveness of my sins and a place in heaven, or so I was taught. I had no love for Jesus and never understood anything with regard to Christianity. At fifteen, I stopped attending yet continued believing that I was a Christian because I went through some religious ceremony. I continued living for self and for the pleasures of this world never fearing eternal judgement nor having interest in the Word of God.

In God’s providence, I started listening to a local radio station that carried an almost continual diet of sound Bible teaching and preaching. Captivated, I enjoyed the truth that I was learning but never doubted whether I was truly a Christian. For seven months, eight to ten hours a day, I continued to listen and learn from God’s Holy Word, yet never being convicted about my sin. By God’s grace, all that changed when the Lord opened my eyes and my ears. With a new heart from the Lord, I recognized my great sins against him and clearly understood what Christ’s death on the cross accomplished (1 Peter 1:23). God graciously gifted me with repentance, faith, and a love that overflowed for Him. I called upon the name of the Lord to be saved (Acts 2:21), and, at 36 years of age, the Lord saved me and made me his own (Phil 3:12).

Shortly after my conversion, the Lord saved my wife, and we started attending a Bible believing, gospel preaching Baptist church where we grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. At conversion, the Lord put a desire in my heart to know Him and His Word more deeply and accurately. As time went on, the desire to communicate His Word to others increased, even though one of my greatest fears was addressing a group of people. I also felt pressed of the need for a formal education regarding ministry and help in the accurate handling of God’s Word. To both, I submitted to the Lord with fear and trembling (Jam 3:1).

My family and I attend a wonderful, Christ centered, gospel preaching, and growing church where I am privileged to serve as an elder/pastor. RBS has not only helped me with solid theological training but has also helped to stimulate a deeper love, care, and concern for the Lord’s precious bride. Whether preaching, teaching, counseling, or in general fellowship with others, my studies have improved my ability to convey and apply the truth of Scripture more accurately. As well, the importance the RBS faculty places on personal application is clearly designed to promote the student’s own walk with the Lord and their personal growth in holiness as first priority.

I am thankful to Bob Gonzales and all the staff for their pastoral hearts in the design of RBS. The ability for students to be in seminary while remaining active in their local congregation allows for immediate application of what they have learned. I also appreciate that RBS provides the option to audit classes for free which my children and several members of our congregation have used and have benefitted from greatly.

I want to thank my family, especially my wife, for their love and support through my studies. I also want to thank my family at Grace Life Church of Richland Center for their support, encouragement, and prayers to continue to press on with my studies.