John’s four years of college were filled with poor decisions. Alcohol, drugs, and partying dominated his life. He had the keys to the candy store, yet still, he felt empty. He thought that searching the world and trying everything once would fulfill him, but he was overwhelmed by guilt and loneliness.
A bad relationship led John to listen to Pastor Ben Stuart’s sermon online on dating. “Wow”, he thought to himself, “this guy gets it right”. Battling thoughts of depression, feeling unworthy and too far gone, the Lord led John through the doors of Passion City Church DC at The Howard Theatre in August 2019. On that day, his life started to change. It did not happen overnight, but over time, his eyes were opened to what he had been yearning for. The Lord gave him a strong group of God-fearing men to rally around him, but above all, John had a desire to rekindle his relationship with Jesus. This has impacted his life beyond anything he could have imagined, and his community celebrated with him as he made the choice to be baptized and proclaim a life of following Jesus.
After settling into Passion City Church and rekindling his relationship with the Lord, God revealed to John that it was time for him to move on from some things that were holding him back. It was the goodness of God that led him to let go of what was holding him back, and for the past three years, John has been sober from drugs and alcohol. “The goodness of God leads us to repentance.” – Romans 2:4
John quickly learned that dedicating your life to following Jesus does not guarantee that challenges will cease. Not long after that moment, John was let go from his job as a substitute teacher and football coach. But in the middle of the storm, his community at Passion City Church came and walked with him through it. They rallied around him with prayers and reassurance that God was preparing something new for him. One night, John attended a Passion City Church Community Group in Rosslyn and sat next to a guy who happened to be a football coach. After connecting, they both realized they played college football in Ohio and had a few mutual connections. John grabbed his new friend’s number and the two stayed connected. A few weeks later, he reached out to John to let him know that a new coaching and teaching position had become available at his school.
Now, John has the opportunity to mentor and pray for young men regularly, many of whom have put their faith in Jesus as a result of the bible study he’s been able to lead them through. The Lord works all things for the good of those who love Him, and He has used the destructive, messy parts of John’s past for His good. He has been set free by the love of God and is using his story to tell others of the hope he’s found in Jesus.
John’s life is a testament to the countless lives being transformed by the gospel in Washington, DC.
The Church is alive and growing stronger
Above + Beyond
Above + Beyond is the opportunity as a House to bring a financial gift above what we normally give so that our House can step into a new season of belief and generosity beyond where we normally could go. Click below to learn more.
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