James

“She got pregnant, I was 16.  I had to step-up and be a man.  I left home, prematurely, to take care of her and a baby.   I was in his life for five or six years when I found out that he was not my child.  It was devastating. It tore me up when I found out that it was all a lie.  That's when I started down the road, that demonic road. That's when satan got a hold of me. I was broke, but I didn't realize I was broken.  It led me down a path and I didn't come to Jesus until 30 years later.  That was the journey that I was on.

I was living fully for satan.  There was major drug abuse, crime, and living that life of sin. I spent time in prison.  I was one of those who prison taught me how to be a better criminal.  At one point, I did run across Bishop Jerome Bracely, Stepping Into The Light, at the Larry Rice New Life Evangelistic Center.  I found myself there because of my lifestyle. I was homeless.  In the early 2000’s, I was in a decent relationship in Jackson, Mississippi and renting a five-bedroom house.  Boom, the hurricane hit. Hurricane Katrina happened August 29, 2005. My family was separated and destroyed.  I was homeless again and I found myself back in St. Louis.  Something had to give! I mean, Lord, why me? 

The first thing that came to my mind was Stepping Into The Light, that’s when I reconnected.  That’s when I realized God had a hand on me.  Everything stopped being so worldly and started being about the spirit of Christ in my life.  How can I grow this Spirit? How can I get more of it?  Stepping Into The Light is a conduit for that.  I’ve been here ever since. I’m the manager of Campus Two.  We are in God's business of reconciling men who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, and dealing with homelessness issues.  James 1:2-3, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”  I have help.  I know where my help comes from.  My advice to you is to see it through.  God has something for you that you don't even know exists.  Just see it through. It's never the end until you decide it's the end. Let God do his work. My name is James, I’m human, and I surrender.”

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