”I’m from Texas… and Colorado… and Sweden.” A bit confusing, one would say. However, when you spend a big part of your life someplace, a piece of your heart stays there as well. The people you meet, the places, and the experiences leave their marks and help form who you are. They’re always with you.
This is me
Much of my early life was spent in West Texas, close to Borger where I was born. I was a typical Texas boy that loved horses, westerns, football, and baseball. Our family was pretty normal, I’d say… except we moved a lot. Dad’s job kept us changing towns and schools, and by the time I graduated high school, I had been enrolled in 9 different schools! Of course, when you move that much, you develop the ability to make friends fast. A trait that has stayed with me all my life.
Eventually, our family moved north to Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Denver was home until my college days. In Denver, the Reid family joined the Riverside Baptist Church where I found my spiritual home. The excitement and devotion of the youth group had an incredible impact on my relationship with Christ and at 18, I felt called to give my life to the ministry, in whatever capacity the Lord might ask. I remember the many conversations with my mother over various spiritual topics raised by radio ministers and credit her with forming my interest in studying the Bible. It was also about this time that I discovered I could sing in a few more places than behind the lawnmower where no one could hear me!
During my high school and college years, music groups and choirs ranging from pop, Motown, contemporary Christian, barbershop, madrigal, oratorio, and opera filled my time in and out of school. I graduated from John Brown University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music and dual minors in Broadcasting and Bible. My plan was to become a music minister, but God had another idea for me. After graduation, I accepted a position with Youth For Christ International and began working with high school students.
In 1977, the Christian music group Renaissance asked me to join them in their ministry and for the following year, I saw most of the United States and Europe “from the back of a bus.” In Sweden, at a small church just outside Stockholm, on October 1st, God opened a new chapter in my life when a girl named Marica opened the church door and walked into my life. “It was love at first sight for both of us,” Marica confirmed. God does work in mysterious ways!
We began writing LOTS of letters, I left the Renaissance and joined another group called the Spurrlows. More letters followed and I left the road for a job in a recording studio. Then, 20 months after we met, Marica and I were married at her home church in Sollentuna, Sweden. She joined me in Denver, where we moved into our first home, a mobile trailer.
It wasn’t long before God began tugging at my heart to re-enter the ministry. Marica and I felt strongly about serving and we gave ourselves to full-time music ministry, traveling and living by faith and love offerings. Our family grew with the birth of our first child Jessica, and since then, God has blessed us with four more children and 6 grandchildren! Needless to say, life changed dramatically in just about every area. Family gives perspective.
After a few years, I had the opportunity to join Dr. Ralph Bell of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in a local crusade. In addition to singing the solos, I was asked to lead the choir, and direct congregational singing. A great friendship was born between Dr. Bell and me, which led to more crusades with the BGEA. And… it re-kindled a love for the local church and the relationships God can build there. Marica and I were hearing God’s call to return to Sweden and work in the ministry there. So, one day shy of our daughter Jessica’s 2nd birthday, we arrived at Arlanda airport outside Stockholm with pretty much everything we had in 4 suitcases and dreams of serving God in a new country.
Eight months later, with working proficiency in the Swedish language, I accepted a position as assistant pastor in the same church where Marica and I met six years earlier! I served there for five years before resigning in 1988. After that, I became an elder in the church and started expanding my voiceover career to serve as a means to support the family and still serve in the church. Not many years later, Marica stepped in to work in the church full-time and served in several positions: Kids pastor, youth pastor, associate pastor, and finally as head-pastor, a position she held for 6 years. God really does work in amazing ways!
My career has allowed me to meet so many people in all walks of life over the years. I’ve hosted events, interviewed stars, film directors, prominent business people, traveled to fun places, and even been recognized with some awards along the way. However, nothing means more to me than the opportunity to share the love of Christ. I believe God puts us in certain situations and equips us with the tools we need to do His work, in His time, and in His way… if we allow ourselves to be open and available to His leading.
It’s my hope that you’ll find the answers you’re looking for in life. From my own experience, I can tell you that Jesus offers that missing piece you might be wanting in your life. To me, He has been a friend that is closer than a brother. He has protected me, sustained me, loved me, and fulfilled me in every way. If you ask Him, He will for you as well.
- Monte