The first several days here with the World Race, Jake was in and out of the hospital. Most of his team told me that he would love to tag along for the prison and gang ministries we have out here, but I wasn’t going to push. We ran into each other a few times, but I could see the toll the sickness was taking on him, so I figured it wasn’t the best to tell him all about these incredible ministries that he might not be able to take part in. Then one night we had guys night and I got to hear his story. After that, I knew the boys had to hear from him.
Jake is from Seattle and has a pretty tough past. He grew up, influenced by gang life and was heavily entrenched by the time he was 16. There were many things he did by choice that disgust him now, and many things that he was ordered to do that will carry scars for life. The hardest part of being so heavily in gang life isn’t just the choices that you make along the way, but there’s also fear that comes about when an order is past down for you to carry out. There’s no real option of whether you’ll do it or not.
When Jake heard God’s call on his life, he knew he had to leave the gang. Unfortunately, the kid that tried to leave before him was still in the hospital, and Jake was worried about how he could live for God from a hospital bed. It was then that the leader of Jake’s gang called on him for one last job and if it was successful, then Jake could walk away. Jake made the decision to hold up his end, and so did his leader. Jake walked away and has been using his freedom to testify to God’s provision ever since.
As he told the minors in the jail and the members of the gangs his story, I could see their faces and how their interest was peaked. They had heard testimonies before, but when one so similar to theirs comes to share, they can’t help but listen to hear how this man was now becoming a preacher. Jake brought his word with conviction and power, and I just sat back to watch the Lord work. I love it when God uses other people to make HUGE impacts in the ministry I’m a part of. I just want more people to join in.
The coolest part was that there was one boy that was just arrested again but for murder this time and has remained silent since his return. Jake immediately focused on him without a word from me and singled him out to minister to. This boy hasn’t had any big breakthroughs yet, but it’s hard to have a guy like Jake continually pouring into you and not be moved. We’re praying for big things.
So now, Jake has had about a week of this incredible ministry and in two days, he will leave for his next country. He’s bummed about the fact he has to essentially walk away from this incredible opportunity so soon, but sometimes God works that way. I just told him, that he had to be obedient to the call on his life now, the World Race, and if God still wants him with these boys, then he’ll be back. Sometimes it can be that simple.
If you want to hear any of Jake’s stories, or follow the ones to come, go to his blog here.
