The “Changed by Jesus” series features stories about how Jesus is working through the ministry of Mars Hill Church to change lives. If God has used Mars Hill to transform your life, please consider emailing your account to testimony[at]marshillchurch.org.

This week’s story comes from Kellen, who attends the Ballard campus. Kellen was baptized this summer at Golden Gardens.

A New Heart — Changed by Jesus #9

I grew up in a non-believing home with a dysfunctional family. By the time I entered 8th grade my parents divorced and depression started to hit me. My sophomore year I transferred to a different high school and started drinking, using drugs and chasing woman. I was popular with the ladies and was very arrogant until I started going to college at WSU.

In college at WSU, I began seeing the vanity of my drinking, using drugs and chasing girls. My depression was increasing and I started thinking about suicide more often. The next summer I worked with a guy who talked about Jesus. I was intrigued and started asking questions. Then I started dating a girl who grew up in a Christian home.

I thought a woman would make me happy and I started to worship our relationship and was a slave to having sex with her. Our relationship became very unhealthy until I finally broke it off. I was extremely depressed at this time and thinking consistently about suicide. I stopped going to work and starting drinking heavily in the mornings. I wrote a song to God asking for him to save me. That week I went to a church service with a friend and gave my life to Jesus. I went home and read the entire book of Matthew, and my heart completely changed direction. Even though my heart changed I still struggled with my old sins.

I came to Mars Hill about seven months after being a Christian and was still drinking heavily and gambling a lot. I lost $30,000 playing no-limit Texas hold ‘em. I finally stopped getting drunk and I quit gambling after about five months of having consistent fellowship with a group of people called “The Russians,” who I met my second day at Mars Hill.

I now hope to become a community group leader and I want to start a street ministry.