A gang member became a prison minister after an hour and a half of unexpected conversation with a pastor who shared the Gospel with him.
Violent And Abusive Household
Johnny Chang grew up in a very abusive household. For that reason, it caused a lot of trauma. Although he had parents, he never felt secure with them. His dad was often absent and never supported him emotionally or financially. At the same time, his mom had so much fear of his dad that she couldn’t protect her children. So, the idea of family was a foreign concept to him.
Delafé Testimonies. (Screenshot). (2023). Gang Member Gives His Life to Jesus (Testimony), Retrieved July 10, 2023, from: https://youtu.be/NP8ixeAN7XQ
As a result, Johnny turned to gangs, which were rampant in their region. He looked up to them because they had money, luxury, and women. I(t wasn’t long before the teen became one of them at the age of 12.
Becoming A Gang Member
Johnny was o n the streets and easily fit in with the violent environment. It became the teen’s outlet for all his pent-up rage and pain. Hence, he was in and out of prison for 12 years until he “went through a period of emptiness and voice.”
Delafé Testimonies. (Screenshot). (2023). Gang Member Gives His Life to Jesus (Testimony), Retrieved July 10, 2023, from: https://youtu.be/NP8ixeAN7XQ
At that point, Johnny wished for nothing more but to die. He felt hopeless until he met a fellow prisoner who suggested he read the Bible. But because he couldn’t read well, the man read the Bible with him .“
Life In Prison
Johnny heard the Gospel, but he had so many unanswered questions that led to confusion. Johnny declined Christianity and tried embracing another religion—Islam. But once again, he had so many unanswered questions that eventually made him withdraw from faith.
When Johnny was released from prison and returned to his old lifestyle. He still felt empty and depressed even though he was earning lots of money from selling drugs.
Gang Member Talks With A Pastor
Then one day, his mom invited him to church with her, since she had recently became a Christian. Johnny declined her invitation. But when his mom needed a ride to church, Johnny agreed to give her a ride. He wasn’t planning to go inside the church or have a conversation with a pastor. But he stopped in for a minute because they offered him his favorite black bean noodles.
Johnny didn’t know that his conversation with the pastor that day would forever change his life.
Watch what happened in the video below.
Reference | Delafé Testimonies
Header Image: Delafé Testimonies. (Screenshot). (2023). Gang Member Gives His Life to Jesus (Testimony), Retrieved July 10, 2023, from: https://youtu.be/NP8ixeAN7XQ
