“I grew up in Coppell, Texas, with a family who loves the Lord. Every day, I felt served, loved, and cared for. I was blessed to have a family where Christ was at the center of all relationships, and I had great role models who showed me what having a faith looked like. When I was 6 years old, I understood and believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He lived a perfect life here on Earth, and that He loved me so much that He would die on the cross for my sins and was resurrected three days later.
“As I got older, going to church became a routine task. I didn’t love worshiping God in unity with fellow believers. I dreaded showing up, and all I wanted to do was practice football, soccer, or golf. At the age of 13, I discovered pornography on my own, and I let that sin consume me for 10 years. I began drinking alcohol at the age of 16, and I continued to drink in secret at home.
“Internally, my heart was focused on porn, alcohol, marijuana, and worldly desires. My sins only escalated in college.
“While in college, my loving mom and sister would check my location on their phones to make sure I was still going to church on Sunday mornings—they knew I wouldn’t otherwise. There were many Sundays when I would wake up hungover, and I’d receive a text from my mom or sister asking me why I wasn’t at church.
“I was so fed up and prideful that I started getting up on Sunday mornings, driving to church, and sleeping in my car in the parking lot so it would look like I was at church to anyone who saw my location. I did that for a full year.
“I thought I’d just deal with God once I graduated and became an ‘adult.’ I wanted my version of freedom, but that ‘freedom’ was holding me captive.
“By the grace of God, after a long night of drinking and getting into trouble, I ended up going to church the next day. Through a perfectly timed and relevant message, I was reminded that the only thing that can fulfill me is Jesus Christ. I realized that my sinful addictions would never satisfy me like the Bible says Christ can. At that moment, I gave my life back to Christ.
“I felt what could only be the love of God calling me back into His arms. I started coming to Watermark in the Summer of 2019. For the first time in my life, in a trusted, biblical community, I was able to confess, repent, and ask for forgiveness for the sins I committed.
“1 John 1:7-9 says, ‘But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
“I am now involved with The Porch, Watermark’s ministry for young adults. I serve on Team Curbside, which focuses on welcoming people in the parking lot and outside the auditorium. I went from avoiding church by sitting in my car to leading a team that engages with and hosts people from the parking lot who come to The Porch every single week.
“Life change wasn’t overnight. It was a long and challenging process. The freedom I desperately craved feels so different now. Freedom in Christ is a reminder that I’m not controlled by my sinful desires. I’m no longer a slave to my sin. Freedom is possible in Christ, and I pray you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.”
If you’re a young adult in your 20s and 30s, this is your invitation to join me and my friends every Tuesday evening at The Porch for learning and worship. If you’re free over Labor Day weekend, come join us at Launch, The Porch’s annual weekend retreat at Sky Ranch. Learn more.