Al Enderle was on top of the world—or so he thought. Owning companies, acquiring homes, yachts, airplanes, and sports cars, spending time with beautiful women, and receiving much recognition made Al look like he had it made.

But deep down inside he thought there was more to life. Al’s life had been like a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs and twists and turns. As a young man he served in the United States Air Force, married a young girl he fell in love with, and had his first son.

Joy Turned to Sorrow

But the happiness he knew soon was replaced by sorrow. Not long after his son was born, Al’s wife was hospitalized with spinal meningitis. Days later she died and Al had no hope to offer her. Over the next 10 years Al would marry twice more but neither marriage worked.

Al earned his real estate license and founded the Enderle Equipment Company, which became the largest wholesaler of used farm and industrial machinery in his area. After starting an electronics manufacturing company Al acquired apartment complexes, vacant land, and a waterfront home. In 1968 Al’s third marriage ended and he his empire collapsed. “I felt I was a failure at both business and marriage.”

Single again, Al became a “professional adventurer.” In between adventures Al met a beautiful woman who changed his views on just about everything. She was a teacher and did not have a lot of money, but seemed very happy and content. He soon discovered that the difference in Geri was that she was a Christian.

Unfortunately, for the first six years of their marriage he failed to see what should have been obvious. “Her lifestyle worked and mine didn’t.”

Sorrow Turned to Joy

One night Al reluctantly attended a church musical with his wife. The minister gave an invitation. Realizing that he had tried everything else and nothing worked, Al stepped forward to give his life to Jesus Christ. From that day forward his life changed dramatically.

As each day passed Al realized that he was worrying less and enjoying life more. His idea of work changed from making as much money as he could to impacting others with his faith. But even a life of righteousness can be affected by adversity. His wife Geri had been battling cancer and in July, 1984, she died. Just as he had held the hand of his first wife when she died, here he sat holding Geri’s hand. This time was different. “Christians seem to die differently, with a smile on their face and hope in their heart.”

Presently Al owns a 10-acre shopping center in Tustin, California with 25 shops and five restaurants. He also enjoys other pursuits, including speaking to students and business owners. When speaking and interacting with patrons at his shopping center, Al never shies away from sharing his faith.

In the middle of his shopping center is a clock tower dedicating the center to Jesus Christ. During the holidays Al sends Christmas and Easter cards to his shop owners and their employees and displays a Nativity scene in the center of the shops. Sometimes Al sits outside the coffee shop located in his center and reads his Bible. As employees come to work he greets them warmly and is always up for a conversation.

Al is often asked to speak at business gatherings, colleges, and even public schools. He is eager to tell business people and students that “the bottom line is Jesus.” In addition, Al is constantly encouraging people to get into the Bible, knowing that if people would intellectually seek the truth they would find it. Amazingly, Al has never received negative feedback when sharing his faith. People seem to sense that his approach is based on experience and intelligence, which are hard to refute. In addition to all his pursuits Al passionately embraces the Word of God and strives to live out his faith on a daily basis.

“When I recall my experiences as a private pilot, hang glider enthusiast, scuba diver, water skier, motorcyclist, hiker, lecturer, editor-at-large, and technical writer, and when I visualize the room I had full of tennis trophies, civic honors, and service club awards, none of them, not even all of them combined, compares to the happiness and peace I experience as a Christian.” |L

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
January 28, 2007 - Changing a community—one event at a time
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best