A Friend of PJNET.TV

By Del Duduit

I believe God puts people in our lives at the right moment.

Over the years, I have been blessed to have met some famous people in efforts to expand my writing and now my ministry.

I have shaken hands with players who I admired and put my arm around a sitting President of the United States.

These moments make for great pictures on my wall and for topics of conversation when visitors come to my home.

But the relationships I have made the past five years mean more to me than any picture with a sports legend.

When I first launched my website and blog, I called it “My New Chapter: Writing Inspirational Stories About Everyday People.”

I did not know Mark Prasek then, but we had a lot in common.

When he launched PJNET (Patriot Journalist Network) around 2012, he had a similar goal. When you visit his website, you will find that his mission is to “provide a platform for everyday Christians to share their walk with Christ.”

Mark and I met on Twitter a couple of years ago and connected in person a few months later.

Today, I am a regular guest with Mark on PJNET.TV.

When Mark started the network on social media after Newt Gingrich announced he was running for President, the platform was political, with a spiritual twist.

But it has now shifted to allow people of faith to speak out, and we both believe that everyone has a story to tell.

Mark, who has been married since 1980 and has one daughter, gives many hours of his time to glorify God and help others share their experiences.

“I’ve learned there are many Christians who might be a little timid and shy and hesitate about going on the record,” he said. “But since we have been introduced to some authors and to Serious Writer, it’s been a real game-changer for me.”

The host sits behind his converted man-made studio in his utility building five nights a week and shines the light on others.

“When we started out, we had maybe two guests a week,” he said. “Now, we are running two per night with a waiting list.”

His goal is to become a 24-7 media outlet to encourage and point others to the cross of Calvary.

“We are not going to be a major television network like CBS or NBC,” he said. “But we are not amateurs either. We are always trying to improve and waiting to uncork the big news one day soon.”

Mark and PJNET have been a blessing to me over the past 18-plus months, and I have served as a regular guest on Tuesday nights at 9:30 p.m. Once I even appeared live from New York City.

We usually talk about my blogs, and I occasionally get off point and go on a conservative rant due to current situations. Our topics have a wide range, but there is no script, and I prefer it that way.

“I have to be careful because we don’t want to use this as a platform for authors to sell their books,” he said. “I am not Amazon, but I want the tone to be conversational and for my guests to chat about why they write, or why they do what they do.”

Mark and I have met up at three Serious Writer conferences where he has donated his time and services to help promote those who attend.

“I love to give back and help,” he said. “There are some talented people out there, and I love to hear their stories.”

PJNET has been an inspiration for me. I enjoy the chat room but don’t enter as much as I would like. I have also met some wonderful friends on Twitter because of this network.

 

I know I met Mark and his PJNET producer Barbara at the right time and for the right reason. If our lives would have crossed ten years ago, perhaps our friendships would not have blossomed as it has today.

He praises God while giving everyday Christians time to tell their story, while Barbara is a vital person behind the scenes.

The friends, the people who tune in at night and go to work every day, are the ones who are also fascinating.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27: 17 KJV)

Spending time with my friends I have met along this journey is just as much fun as lunch with Pete Rose – which was cool.

Who has made an impact in your life?

What influence do you provide?

 

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

Join Coach Prasek and me each Tuesday on #PJNET.tv at 9: 30 p.m. EST

http://PJNET.tv