The Early Years album is a collection of 18 of my earliest songs written during the Jesus Movement.

I was "born again" in 1971. Soon after surrendering my life to the Lord in Quebec, Canada, I packed my guitar, cowhide (with hair on) backpack, and sleeping bag and made my way to L'Abri Fellowship in the Swiss Alps, a Christian study and retreat center. I learned from inspiring teachers like Dr. Francis Schaeffer, Os Guinness, and Donald Drew there. My faith journey continued at YWAM (Youth with a Mission) in Lausanne, Switzerland, where my mentors included Loren Cunningham, Brother Andrew, and Corrie Ten Boom.

At 21, in 1972, I traveled through Europe and Africa, writing and singing many of the songs featured on this album. By 1973, I was back in the U.S., where I met Valerie, my wife, and joined Reba Place Fellowship, a Christian community in Evanston, Illinois, where I wrote more songs. In 1974, we moved to Salem, Oregon. Over the years, I started and ran two music stores, launched an ad agency, and worked as a video and film producer, all while Valerie and I raised our six children. In 1996, I began traveling as an itinerant music minister with my wife and four of our children, continuing to share God's message through music.