What was life like before you met Jesus?

Before I met Jesus, I grew up a quiet kid with a soft heart, and I aimed to please, but as I grew older, my anger and bad choices grew just as fast. I started hanging out with the “wrong people” according to the adults in my life. I drank, smoked, and failed at my relationships and responsibilities.

How did you meet Jesus?

One day I met my current wife, and I told myself I was going to do it differently. I quit drinking, smoking, and fighting, but there was still something lacking. I always wanted to know Jesus, but I was ashamed to. I would post inappropriate stuff on social media but would exclude religion. Then one day, I woke up on a Sunday and felt the need to go to church, so we went. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?

We tried a couple of different churches but found ourselves at Veritas, in which we found a home and an understanding of wanting more in life and spirituality. I found that Jesus is not ashamed of me, and therefore I am not ashamed of him. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Rom. 1:16) He gave himself for me, so I shall give myself to him. Jesus brings me love, patience, and respect for those around me. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)