New Believer Interview #2 Derek

 

1. Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ.

 

I grew up in church, began a relationship with God at 13 on a missions trip to Mexico. I was back and forth up in till two months before I joined the Freedom House. In August of 2008 I truly realized I was living wrong and decided I needed to change the way I lived.

 

2. What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?

 

I was trying to fill the void. Tire of the emptiness inside. I tried sex, drugs, pornography and alcohol and it all lead to more frustration. I felt unfulfilled. I remember one time, I was sitting at the table with my dad and some of his friend, and we all had just gotten high. My dad was also taking pills and narcotics. As I was watching him nod off and completely wasted, I remembered that the day before my dad told me “don’t make the same mistakes that I’ve made” I realized at that moment that I was turning into somebody that I didn’t want to become.

 

3. What had been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?

 

It’s knowing that my search is over. Knowing that I have a long way to go on this road, but I have found the road.

 

4. What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?

 

It’s learning to lean on His strength and not on my own. When things are not working, I realize that it is usually because I am trying to do it instead of giving it to God.

 

5. What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?

 

Constant involvement with the church, counselors and mentors. Enough is never enough, I am always digging deeper to get to the meanings and answers behind things.

 

6. What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?

 

Make yourself available, because if a new believer has questions, they need someone to ask. Develop a real relationship, because they need someone to learn from. 

My Response:

I was so impressed with Derek's responses. Particularly with questions 4 and 5. I wish everyone new believer could grasp what Derek said. Trying to do everything ourselves and looking within for all of our solutions is a very common mistake. When the truth is that Christian life is lived in fullest when we hand over our desires, failures, strengths and plainly, we hand over our lives to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us. Derek's answer to question 5 was very impressive to me. I have spent a lot of time teaching accountability to Derek over the past month month and I believe he is really going to model it well. Living life in community with fellow believers is how I think God intended for us to live. It is so important for us to live our lives open for people to see and to also learn from us in our vulnerable spots. Its that same story with the other men in the home. The relationships and connections that they have built in the Freedom House are a huge part of the success that they will leave the home with. Something that challenged me from Derek was and is his constant passion to learn more all at whatever means possible. Derek is always coming to me with a new leadership skill he was challenged on and always asking for advice. He kind of makes my job easier.