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 Changed by Jesus testimony comes from Jake, who attends the Ballard campus. He shares how Jesus took him from being religious and disconnected to having real community and finding his worth in Christ.

Haiti Jesus — Changed by Jesus #21

I find it funny how I viewed myself before I met Christ. I thought I was a good person and I tried to live a highly moral life (like being the only person not drinking at the high school party, selecting 9am classes in college, and saying no to NSync Tickets). I thought as long as no one really got to know me they would think I was a pretty cool guy. At the very least I couldn’t disappoint them if they found out I wasn’t. So, I kept everyone at a distance: friends, classmates, and co-workers. I actually joined a Bible study to get the good “spiritual feeling” but as soon as people wanted to know more about me, I found myself making up ways to be busy so that eventually I could no longer attend. I kept everyone out, including Jesus.

In 2004 I was itching for a spiritual high, so I went on a mission trip to Haiti. It was there that Jesus broke me down and introduced himself to me–personally–through a group of Haitian Christians. They didn’t own much and were lucky if they could enjoy a daily meal, but they were genuine, real, and loving. What I saw in them was Jesus, and one night with a group of us around a fire, I invited Jesus in. He showed me how silly I had been to think that people would see me as ‘cool’ if they didn’t know me. He showed me how I had taken the gifts he gave me and buried them. He showed me how I am one part of a larger body, and the joy of being a member in that body.

Since then Jesus has brought many others into my life. I have been blessed with my amazing wife Amy, who would not be in my life had it not been for his grace. I have repaired relationships with my family, I have cultivated friendships with others in my community group, and I have begun to use the gifts God has given me, in part by serving at Mars Hill. I have an exciting journey ahead and am glad that I have Jesus leading the way.