A Life of Restoration - An Intro into Jimmy
Jimmy grew up in church, just like many of you reading this, he learned at a young age about the love of Christ, and the Salvation that was available through Him. However, as a young man, because of many different circumstances, most that were out of his personal control, he chose another path for himself. After trying everything else he could think of, and never finding true happiness, he found himself staring right back at what he always knew was right, and he found his way back to Christ - he knew immediately that he was forgiven and accepted by his Savior, with open arms.
As much as he loved God and served him through many different avenues; over the years, all of the hurt, disappointment, and rejection - all of the things he thought he had defeated and turned over to God, began to slowly make their way back into his heart and mind. He started to realize that maybe he had never truly acknowledged the depth of the pain and hurt he had experienced - so while he thought he had found freedom, deep inside, it was still gnawing at his spirit and heart…because while he found forgiveness in Christ for his mistakes, he was holding on to unforgiveness and rejection in his heart towards those who had brought so much pain into his life to begin with. He realized that what he had cloaked in “freedom”, was actually a false freedom, because he was not free at all, he was still bound, possibly even tighter now than before. You see, when he came back to Christ, like many of us, he understood that he was forgiven, and was so ecstatic with that, that he did not examine himself - God will forgive us, but it is up to us to examine ourselves and find what is keeping us bound up, what doors we have opened or that we have allowed to be opened into our soul. So, while he found a kind of freedom, from his own sins and transgressions, he did not examine his own heart, therefore he was still bound by his own unforgiveness towards himself, and his loved ones.
He found his purpose with his wife and kids - his own family, his own destiny. He answered the call to start a street ministry. He could relate to the down, broken hearted, rejected, unloved and unwanted; so it fit. Over the years of two different ministries, they thrived and God used him immensely; he served and ministered to thousands, in the street, and in church buildings; here in the US, as well as overseas to minister in Open Air Crusades. More doors opened, so he continued to minister where God opened the door. This continued for years, his family grew and life went on; and it was not until years later, when he came face to face with his own heart, his own unforgiveness. It was then, and only then, that God began the long process of uprooting the pain and the hurt, all the roots that had grown so deep into his heart and soul. The uprooting, self-reflection, and healing was a painful process, but he’s here as a testimony that it is so worth it. Letting Jesus come into your most vulnerable places of your heart, to place those broken pieces entirely in His nail-scarred hands… it’s hard, but he did, finally… and God began to heal.
Now today, he has found peace, with God, within himself, and with his life and ministry; and while it doesn’t look the same as it did in the past, it comes with it’s own twists and turns - it is so different now, with the peace and direction from Jesus Christ, he is living in His grace each day, and serving others, and helping them find the same peace that passes all understanding.
Over the blogs to come, you will learn more about his journey to where he is today… join us! You will find that God will take your broken heart, and piece it all back together again, you just have to let Him.