My Testimony

At nine years old, I observed many people entering a building. I was outside playing alone, without a parent—something I often did—and I wondered what these individuals were doing. When I entered, someone asked if I would like to attend a Bible study group for children my age. They were preparing a play for the upcoming Sunday service. I went home and told my grandmother, who raised me, that I needed to make a costume. The following Sunday, I was on stage with other children, acting out a Bible story. It was a awesome. Reflecting on that event, I wish my grandmother had attended to see me in the play and perhaps had found faith. I believe I would have had the opportunity to be raised within the Gospel and embraced by the church.

Throughout my childhood, we moved frequently—approximately 33 times by the age of 16—across various states and within Las Vegas. My grandmother took me from my mother at birth because my mother struggled with severe mental health issues and was unable to raise a child. Each time my mother discovered our whereabouts, we relocated again, among other reasons. This instability affected my education, as I changed schools frequently. To this day, I struggle to understand vowels and sound out words. Reading and retaining information remain very challenging for me. Despite these difficulties, I consider myself fortunate to have had many successful careers.

I did not return to church the Sunday after the play, would of my life been different or was my clay molded this way? I was sexually abused by two strangers—a trauma no child should endure. I reacted and coped with what happened through various destructive means. Growing up in Las Vegas, I engaged in severe sins, channeling my pain into harmful behaviors toward society. I authored a book of approximately 60,000 words, recounting a true story that resembles a movie, filled with unbelievable events. I committed nearly every sin listed in the Bible, often driven by the mob mentality in which I was raised. I was kicked out of Canada—an entire country—and am not permitted to re-enter. By the age of 16, I had more felony convictions than I can count, which took three weeks to process (my fingerprints matched serval charges that preceded the official indictment). These involved high-profile criminal activities. I harmed many people physically and emotionally. I struggle with mental health issues such as PTSD, NPD, ADD, and OCD. I have caused harm, including running someone over and nearly stoning another person. I robbed many to acquire what I could. Due to my mental illnesses, I cared little for others—only for myself. I was a terrible family member. Honestly, after writing this, it is a miracle that anyone loved me. I knew murderers, gangsters, thugs, and upstanding citizens. I moved constantly as a child and learned to adapt to many different social environments. In summary, I would steal your bike and then sell it back to you a week later, after promising I would find it through my connections. This all led to opening a cannabis dispensary in California where it all begin before it became legal in any other state. That was when life became CRAZY. I cannot even continue to write about those times. I never published this book; it was simply a way to get certain thoughts out of my head and onto paper.

Over time, I gradually changed my life, especially after having children and realizing that they were more important than myself. I have six children, ranging in age from 32 to 4. It was not until I met my wife that my life began to stabilize—particularly following the death of my uncle, who was like a father to me. I made a conscious decision to change my life and to become part of society, around 2012–2013, striving toward what I consider “normal.” Throughout both the good and difficult seasons of my life, Jesus has protected me. I should have been dead multiple times or in jail for much of my adult life. I believe Jesus knew I was strong enough to overcome these hardships. I am grateful that He was there to watch over and protect me. He allowed me to experience the depths of evil and to triumph over them. I owe Him my life, and now I am ready to repay that debt.

Can you imagine if someone like myself could be saved, empowered by the Spirit, and able to evangelize and spread the Gospel to many, thereby leading others to Jesus? What could that look like?

I believe I can relate to the abused, criminals, drug addicts, and others—much like the Apostle Paul, who became all things to all men to win souls. I understand what drives many of my brothers and sisters who are hurting and weak. I know what it takes to heal and to develop a bond with God, which has been the key to improving my mental health. I live and experience the power of the Gospel and the love of our Heavenly Father—not because of anything within myself, but because Jesus has been guiding and directing my life. My purpose is to help others who have endured the sins I have committed.

Initially, I was denied baptism. However, watching “The Jesus Revolution” led me to Pastor Chuck Smith. Listening to his Spirit-filled Sermons and Bible teachings helped me overcome my reading difficulties and enabled me to comprehend the messages of Scripture. This eventually led me to attend Calvary Chapel Churches. That is why I am passionately committed to learning as much as I can about eternal life to serve others.

I dedicated myself and my son to Jesus and His church. I initially started as a stay-at-home dad after a back injury, which caused me to abandon every career I knew—shifting from working with my hands to sitting at a desk was painful on my back limiting the hours I could work. I believe that God led me away from my previous careers in order to serve and save others. I cannot fully explain this calling, but I know that when asked what I do, I respond: “I am a servant; I evangelize for Jesus.”

Although I may not be able to do what is considered “normal,” I believe that if I am placed in a room with the weak and the sick, Jesus will enable me to shine and bring transformation to troubled lives. I am certain this is God’s specific plan for me, considering I was denied baptism. Yet, after being baptized, I often cry internally—I feel compelled to seek out the lost sheep, whether believers or non-believers, and to return them Spirit driven back to their Shepherd, Jesus for eternal life.

I have come to realize that the most effective way I can help others is through fasting and prayer, seeking the Spirit’s guidance to discern the spiritual path I must follow to attain eternal life. I have learned simply to bear good fruit for others; in return, I am blessed with good fruit. I believe that to attain eternal life, one must show others how to obtain it.

My past is the difficult and shameful part of my life that could lead to separation from God. So that is where it remains in the past. The most amazing and fulfilling part is my new life in Jesus—a partnership with God and myself, just as it should be.

God has blessed me with a ministry unlike any other: Christian Cannabis Ministry. Sometimes, I find it difficult to comprehend how this has come about. I have often said I feel like Jonah and the whale—something I did not desire to repeat in my life. As time went on, Jesus blessed us more and more to help others. Our growth has not been in popularity or wealth, but rather in spiritual testimonies. When people enter the ministry, some are convicted, admitting struggles such as suicidal thoughts, and are directed immediately to rehabilitation. After prayer, we provide a ride with a loving disciple of Jesus to safely take them to safety. Visitors come to learn and leave with evangelistic pamphlets inspired by the Spirit’s revelation to me, spreading the Gospel in the way the Spirit has shown.

Through this ministry, we have attracted followers of Jesus. Some have been rebuked and asked not to return; others have arrived at the door but were unable to enter. Many have entered and eagerly wanted to learn more about the ministry. Overall, it is a Spirit-led experience that surprises me daily—both in positive and challenging ways. I see the faithful path I must follow to enter heaven, and I am committed to guiding all my brothers and sisters toward Jesus, led by the Spirit. The two women behind the ministry’s door are the women in my life who support me in various ways to accomplish God's purposes. They are like Martha and Mary whom I love very deeply, working in tandem with the Spirit. I am deeply blessed to witness the Lord’s radical work to spread the Gospel. 

We fund our own nonprofit organization. This nonprofit was established so that we can speak freely about God to anyone or any corporate entity. Nothing restricts God's Word within our ministry. We do not accept donations to prevent any external influence that might sway the true direction of this ministry. The only one who will direct this ministry is the Holy Trinity. Now that's what I'm down with and willing to die for! God prepared me to enter into any evil situation to spread the gospel and to come out just fine. I do not do well in up standing communities. My life's faith of works and ministry remains in the troubled neighborhoods. I hope all we do helps you in your spiritual journey. - GOD Bless!