My Story (How I Became a Christ-follower)

At the age of 17 I found myself in the church parking lot pondering the series of circumstances that had brought me to this point. In very quick succession I had been arrested because of my hoodlum activities, dropped out of a prestigious college preparatory high school, and then gone through two expensive drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs; a 40-day in-patient hospital program in San Pedro and a 30-day stay at a treatment center in Idyllwild. The results were the same after each; the head of the program pronounced me incurable and recommended that I be institutionalized.

Up until this point I had avoided church for years and scoffed at anyone who tried to share the Gospel with me. I felt that I was certainly brighter than any of those weak-minded people who fell for the Bible. I would argue anyone brave enough to broach the subject of God with me into the ground. Or failing that, I would simply tell them off in the coarsest language possible. But now my self-centered lifestyle had finally caught up with me. The only door that was still open to me was at my praying mother’s house.

Mom welcomed me by looking at my scraggy beard and unwashed hair and saying how much I looked like Jesus. But within a short time I managed to strain even her patience. I totaled the family car by driving recklessly and running a red light directly in front of the main police station. When the driver of the other car approached me I expected him to begin shouting in anger. I deserved it and I knew it. Instead, he said, “Praise God, no one is hurt.” Before the shock of those unexpected words had worn off he explained that he forgave me and would not press charges (did I mention we were directly in front of the police station?) There was some kind of power in that act of undeserved forgiveness that took away all my defenses. It was the straw that broke the back of my resolve against God.

That following day, my mom followed her normal routine of attending mid-week church services. But this time when she invited me to join I found myself accepting. How could I refuse, when I had just destroyed her car and then been forgiven for it?  I don’t remember exactly what happened at the church service. But I do remember that every word spoken by the preacher that night seemed to be directed at me. The words spoke of security, “You don’t have to be afraid any more because Jesus loves you.” They spoke of victory, “The devil wants to destroy your life but Jesus is stronger than the devil.” After a few minutes of this I was feeling scared and confused. I just had to get out of there. The people assembled in church that day saw a long-haired skinny kid get up suddenly in the middle of the message and walk quickly out the back door. I didn’t care what anyone thought. This feeling was just too much to handle.

And so here I was, alone in the parking lot, finally alone and wondering about it all. It dawned on me that there might actually be a Creator God and even more, that it might actually be true that he cared about me personally. The same feeling I had when I totaled my mother’s car and realized it was all my fault came back on me, but this time it was magnified by a million. “I know I have really messed up my whole life. There is no way to fix it now. But God if you are really there would you please show me that you are real?”

As I prayed that simple prayer it was as if I opened my heart just a crack, and apparently that is what God was waiting for. I was flooded with a peace that was greater than anything I had ever experienced before. I suddenly knew beyond a doubt that God was there and that He was in control of everything. In a flash I knew that, yes, I really HAD made a mess of my life but that Jesus was giving me a second chance and that He could and would do a lot better if I surrendered. I was suddenly different, but I was more myself than ever before. Even my countenance changed. The expression of toughness and cynicism that I had carried on my face for years seemed to melt off. I felt an intense joy because I knew that things were alright. I could not stop smiling. I think I smiled for a week straight from the sheer happiness that was now in my heart.

A few days later, a pastor read the book of Romans with me and explained the meaning of life from God’s perspective. As we read together about all men being hopeless sinners and about God sending Jesus to help those who would accept Him I experienced physical sensations which were not pleasant. He had me read a passage from that Bible that said that the Blood of Jesus could make me clean and I felt so unclean at that moment. I realized later that I was actually being healed of my drug and alcohol addiction. When we read about Jesus paying for my sins, I was more than willing to admit that I needed to humbly ask God for help. By the time we had finished reading and the pastor had prayed with me, I was totally clean and spiritually alive for the first time. Amazingly, since that day I have not been addicted to alcohol or drugs even though I had been diagnosed by several different respected professionals as an incurable alcoholic/drug addict less than a year prior. I am really amazed and thankful for this miracle in my life. I don’t know why God chose to give it to me – I just know He did.

Since that time, the Lord has led me on an amazing journey of faith. I have a new friend who guides and encourages me daily. Before I became a Christ-follower I never imagined that one could have an actual relationship with the Creator of the Universe. And I never imagined what an amazing future He had in store for me. I have never regretted the decision I made that day to turn the control of my life over to the Holy Spirit. I can say with certainty that if it weren’t for God’s amazing love for me and his awesome restoring power I would have been lost long ago. But now I have a beautiful family, a wonderful church and my life belongs to an awesome God who really deserves all the honor for any good things that come from my life.

I also discovered something else – a purpose for my life. The same loving Creator who is watching over us and all of human history has a plan and I’m privileged to be a tiny part of making it happen. I now live in Japan where people didn’t grow up in a culture that is based on Christianity. In this nation 99 out of 100 people don’t know anything about the Bible or Jesus. I have Christian friends from all over who have partnered with me and my family to help us reach Japan by telling them about Jesus, reaching young people, and planting churches.

If you are a Christ-follower and you want to help, let’s talk. Or if you have not yet made a personal connection with this Jesus that I have been talking about then I’d love to hear from you too. It would be my privilege to introduce Him to you! You can reach me at the email here on this site.

7 thoughts on “My Story (How I Became a Christ-follower)

  1. Wonderful Testimony Ray .. I am very blessed to have had you in my life. Regardless if we see each other again on this earth or in heaven. You have met more to me then words can tell. Thank you for speaking at my retirement ceremony in 2010. Thank you for helping me through the death of my father in 2008..Thank you for putting up with all my short comings and defects of caricature . Thank you for all the early years in 1982 when we first met You had something and I wanted it . You had that glow and I was drawn to you inner light. You , Phil and a few other people helped me get out of my drug induced fog. ..Still at 51 I am still fighting the drinking . I am always in you debt for your tireless work you put in on my behalf and the payers you said and the love you have given.. Always and eternally grateful your brother Jay and family

  2. God bless you, Ray. I was friends with your sister, Jessica, in Tucson, Az. and remain friends through facebook.
    Thank you for sharing your testimony. What a wonderful work God has done in healing you and then calling you into his ministry in Japan.
    You and your ministry partners will be in my prayers. May God continue to bless you and all that you do for HIM.
    Mary King

  3. Dear brother Ray,

    I am a believer in Jesus and live in the state of Michigan, USA. It is so wonderful to hear the work of God in the life of the hopeless who though the shed blood of Christ, receive eternal life and joy unspeakable and full of glory. Continue rejoicing, my brother, and do not allow any man to take your crown. I’ve known the Lord for 20+ years and though I had joy, I have also walked in the valleys. But he walked with me through the sorrow. Jesus is the fairest of 10,000 to our souls and we have something that the world system cannot take away from us. Continue walking with the King.
    Milt

  4. Hello brother Ray,
    I am so blessed to read your testimony. I can never thank our Lord enough for His power and presence in our young lives. I too, testify that His hand was so mighty and strong way back then. Praise our Lord that brother Jason also followed suite and we are now living for Eternity’s sake. Truly, I treasure of memories that were shared; swimming in your mom’s pool, worship, and long summer days at the Lake.
    Eccles: 12:01 my life verse
    Salvation date: 2/4th, 1982
    God bless you and your family
    Phil & Tracy
    ps, thank you for taking time to write this out.

  5. Ray, I’m adding a “backscenes” to your amazing story. There was a Wed night youth meeting at Bethel Church. No Pastors were there, only students. One student asked if anyone had anything they wanted to pray about. Your youngest sister said, “Yes, I have a brother in rehab.” They prayed & God so moved that you were a part of that same youth group,one month later! Mom

  6. Thanks, Ray, for telling your amazing story. Love, Mom

  7. Ray, I had no idea of your past and would have never ever thought of you going through the struggles you did. You are still carrying that smile with you and are full of joy. Thanks so much for sharing your life story. Somebody is going to read this, identify with it and know who they can talk to. It’s the powerful love of God that can change any addiction…. any sin…. It’s amazing! .. Shelley

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