Salvation Testimony of Bryan

Testimony 

I was born into Catholicism in 1972. I was baptized as an infant, later went to CCD, and completed all the requirements of the Catholic faith. But none of it was for God’s glory. I did it to make my parents happy and to be in good standing with them and the church.

As soon as I could, I stopped going to church. I still believed in God, but I wasn’t sure it was the same God the church had taught me to fear. When I moved out at 17, I began soul searching and exploring other religions. I studied Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Islam. I read their holy books, but I had still never read the Bible. I was especially drawn to Buddhism.

It’s important to note that I started drinking alcohol and smoking pot in seventh grade. From that time through my freshman year of high school, I continued using alcohol and drugs until I overdosed on alcohol and nearly died. After that overdose, we sought help through a treatment center. That went well for a while. I did everything I was told to do, became an outstanding member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and even served as chairperson for the Illinois State Conference for Young People in AA.

I stayed sober for seven years. Then I relapsed. And I stayed relapsed until I surrendered this past April Fools’ Day. For those who are bad at math, that was 32 years of alcohol and drug abuse.

Looking back now, I can clearly see that God never gave up on me. He kept “poking” me—calling me back—at times when I should have listened.

The first poke was when I crashed my friend’s motorcycle. I was flying at over 145 mph, racing another motorcyclist. When he passed me, he clipped my front wheel, sending me into the curb and catapulting me about 380 feet into a ditch with no protective gear. I remember every millisecond to this day. When everything stopped, I was face down with my eyes closed, and I asked, “Am I dead?” Then I faintly heard, “No. Open your eyes and live, son.”

That poke didn’t register. I didn’t realize it was God—I thought it was just me.

The next significant poke was the day I met my wife. God sent me an angel that day. This time I knew it, but again I ignored the calling to come home. I did everything I could to convince her I was the one. Thankfully, God saw fit for it to happen, and we married in 2016.

Even then, I continued to smoke pot behind her back and drink alcohol openly. Over time, I managed to destroy our finances—even while working my dream job. I also managed to stay buzzed all day, every day.

But God continued to poke me, with increasing frequency and stronger messages.

After losing too many dogs, I started keeping koi fish. Then in February, I went in for a routine hernia surgery. I had undergone many procedures requiring anesthesia, and normally I would wake up feeling like I had the best buzz ever—laughing and joking with everyone. But this time was different.

Before they put me under, I prayed. This was my prayer:

“God, if You’re up there, and if I’m suitable, please call me home. I have nothing I’ve done right down here. I’m ready to be in Your presence. Please, God, bring me home.”

When I came out of surgery, I woke up early and began crying uncontrollably—hyperventilating, ugly crying. I had no idea why. Now I know God was calling me home… just not in the way I expected.

The next week, I asked a friend at work to mentor me in Christ. He introduced me to The Daily Blade podcast, which led me to Church of Eleven22.

Once I was healed enough to lift again, I started working on a friend’s koi pond. It needed a full drain and clean-out. That pond had never been cleaned in its 20 years of existence. When I drained it, I started digging through 6–8 inches of fish waste and debris at the bottom while listening to a sermon by Pastor Joby Martin. He was preaching on the Sermon on the Mount.

As I stood there, I realized that all the filth in the pond was a picture of my own life. Then Pastor Joby said something like:

“Blessed are the meek, the lost, the broken—those at the bottom of their pit not knowing where to turn. Here is your answer: get on your knees right where you are and surrender to Jesus.”

That’s exactly what I did.

I got on my knees, put my forehead in the fish waste, and surrendered everything to Jesus. I prayed:

“Jesus, I’m broken. I’m lost. Everything I thought I had, I don’t have. I don’t have this, Lord. I need You. I surrender to You. This vessel of a man is Yours to do Your will. Please fix me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

I stayed there kneeling with my forehead in the muck until I stopped crying.

That 20 minutes changed everything about everything about everything in my life.

The next morning, I threw away the ounce of pot I had in my car. I had two beers left in the fridge, and they’re still there—waiting for a friend or my wife to drink them—because I have no desire to touch them.

I went to church for the first time in 35 years.

The next Sunday, Brother Wyatt recommended Church Abide. As soon as I walked in, I felt something like home—but stronger. It was strange to me, but instead of running away, I leaned in. I sang and cried. I raised my hands in praise. And when they asked if anyone was there for the first time, I responded.

For the first time in my life, people prayed over me—and again, the uncontrollable crying came.

After service, I found Steven and begged to join the Foundation Class. The next week during service, I threw away my nicotine vape and have not looked back since.

I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into the Abide family.

All for the glory of God.