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.

We received a great testimony this week from a podcast listener, Josh in Colorado. Here is his story:

The Carpenter — Changed by Jesus #12

God has used Mars Hill Church to help completely transform my life!

I was the stereotypical rockstar. I was drinking heavily, using drugs, and fornicating by the age of fifteen (late development where I come from–Ithaca, NY). After graduating college and now with opinions, I moved to Ridgway, CO. I had a child with my girlfriend, and a few years later we got married. God was never mentioned in the “ceremony.” We split up three months after the “wedding,” and a year and a half later we had another baby together. By the time this second baby was born, I was already living with another woman. I bet you can guess how the relationship ended: badly. I found myself at the rock bottom, cold and depressed, living in a yurt down by the river. I asked God, “Is there a relationship out there that lasts?” My first thought was of the little white church on the corner.

I walked into that church the next Sunday morning and cried like a baby. It seemed like every song at worship that day was designed to break me. I spent the next couple of months reading the gospels by candle light, freezing…and submitting. Around this time I was offered a carpentry job with one of the pastors. He and his wife were spending their time and money building a 1,200-square-foot apartment for missionaries. I was told about a family in India, Nepal, Thailand, etc. who spends their sacrificing the comforts they could have in order to spread the word of Jesus. This building would give them a place to stay when they came to the states. I took the job. With the job came sermons–Mars Hill Church sermons–which the boss would play on his stereo while we worked.

Over the course of a year, I listened to all the sermons available online (thanks, tech team, for the new media library–the studies continue!). One by one, I was convicted of my sins. Through prayer and Bible study, my sins stopped being habit. I don’t claim to now be without sin, but it’s no longer my character. For the first time, I learned who God is. His name is Jesus. I started a beautiful journey of listening to God and learning what He has in store for me. Thanks to the Lord, through online sermons, I not only redeem my commute, but I redeem my entire workday! And Arjuna’s Colorado bedroom is looking good.

During that process (a little over a year ago) I went to my first Christian wedding. It was actually a marriage between two Mars Hill members with family here in Ridgway. Again, I cried! Every wedding I had been to before, I would look at the bride and I could point out a bunch of guys she had slept with in attendance. All of my friends who ever got married had already been living together for years. This wedding was different. I could feel God’s presence in the room. I wanted a blessing like this, but felt I really had no chance because of my former life.

During the following months, I studied the Redeeming Ruth series and Christians Gone Wild. Two hours before going on a date, I found myself listening to a sermon about courting. I was convicted, and I knew my “dating” life would never be the same. From that time on, my dates became purposeful and intentional, aligning with the will of God. Within a few months, God introduced me to my bride, Marcia.

I am so thankful to God for changing my life. He has now entrusted me with a beautiful wife who loves the Lord Jesus. We are now pregnant (if it’s a boy, we are naming him Boaz!). My other two children also love the Word. I am so thankful they are getting the head start of growing up with a Christian family and community. I am thankful that my “dad” role has so much more meaning now. Most of all, I am grateful for my relationship with Jesus, one which lasts forever!