During the pandemic, as the world stood still, I found myself sitting by the water, lost in thought, grappling with the uncertainty of life and my future. It was during one of these quiet moments of introspection that something extraordinary happened—a moment that would forever change the course of my life. As I gazed at the sky, the word "LORD" appeared before my eyes, etched into the heavens. It was surreal, almost unbelievable, and to this day, I am awed by what I saw. If I hadn’t captured it with a photo, I might have doubted my own memory. But there it was—my Damascus Road moment, a divine encounter that marked the beginning of a profound transformation.

This encounter reignited a spark within me, one that had been smothered for over two decades of deconstruction and reconstruction. I had walked away from Christianity, questioning everything I once believed, and eventually found myself identifying as an atheist. The Jesus Freak who once carried a Bible everywhere had become a skeptic, disillusioned and disconnected from the faith that once defined my life.

But that moment under the sky set me on a new path. I enrolled in Global Grace Seminary, immersing myself in the study of the pure Gospel of Christ alone. It was there that the Lord laid a new vision on my heart. The word Teleo—meaning "it is finished"—resonated deeply within me, and with it came a call to preach the rest we have in Jesus through His finished work.

This journey, from being a passionate evangelist to a questioning atheist, and now to a Grace Preacher, has shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. It has made me a vessel for God’s grace and truth, eager to share the transformative power of Christ’s love with a world in desperate need of hope.

Through Teleo Ministries, I am committed to proclaiming the profound truth that in Christ, it truly is finished. My life, marked by a 20-year journey of wandering and returning, stands as a testament to the relentless grace of God—a grace that found me, transformed me, and now compels me to share its power with others.

In high school, my life was radically transformed when I discovered Billy Graham's Storm Warning. It wasn’t just a book; it was a spark that ignited an all-consuming passion for Christ within me. I became known as a "Jesus Freak"—not just another teenager, but someone who wore a massive wooden cross with pride, clutched my Bible as if it were a lifeline, and handed out tracts to anyone willing to take them. I was on fire for God, a young man on a mission to share the light of Christ with the world.

This zeal led me to start a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at my school, where I rallied hundreds of my peers for Bible studies and events. My passion was contagious, evident when I wore sackcloth to school one day, preaching to over 300 classmates and holding an altar call right there in the gym. My dedication ran so deep that on the night of my Senior Prom, while others celebrated, I was in my prayer closet, flipping through my yearbook and praying over each name, each face, asking God to touch their hearts.

Convinced that I was called to follow in the footsteps of great evangelists like D.L. Moody and Billy Graham, I enrolled at Moody Bible Institute, majoring in Evangelism and serving as my class chaplain. I was certain of my calling—until two life-altering events shook the very foundations of my faith and sent me spiraling into a journey I never expected.

The first occurred in an upper room of a Spanish church in Humboldt Park, Chicago. Alone in that room, I was confronted by a dark, shadowy figure offering me fame and recognition if I would just compromise my faith. For a moment, I glimpsed a future where I was a renowned preacher with a massive following—a future that seemed tantalizingly close. But something stronger stirred within me, and I cried out, “No, and in Jesus’ name, be gone.” The shadow vanished, leaving me shaken but resolute in my commitment to Christ.

The second turning point came when I read a small, unassuming book that exposed how much of the church’s practices were rooted in human tradition rather than Scripture. This revelation was like a tidal wave, shaking my faith to its core. I dropped out of Moody, embarking on a quest for truth that took me from the bustling streets of Atlanta to the serene mountains of North Carolina, and eventually to the inner city of Oakland, California. I sought out the book’s author, hoping to find a mentor who could guide me on my journey. But instead, I was met with a crushing blow: “I know someone that would be perfect for you, but you are too arrogant. Go home and work a normal job.” His words shattered me, leaving me heartbroken and adrift.

Disillusioned and spiritually wounded, I walked away from Christianity altogether. A little over a year after leaving Moody, the fiery passion I once had for Christ was extinguished. My faith, once so unshakeable, crumbled until I no longer believed in Jesus. At best, I saw Him as just a historical figure, a composite of several messiah-like personas and mythologies. Eventually, I identified as an atheist—a far cry from the fervent evangelist I once believed I was destined to be. For over twenty years, I wouldn’t even own a Bible, the very book that had once been the cornerstone of my life.

But that wasn't the end of my story as God has something so much greater in store. Through a long and winding journey, filled with moments of doubt, pain, and unexpected revelations, I found my way back to faith—this time, with a deeper understanding and a renewed sense of purpose. The journey that began with a fiery zeal, was extinguished by disillusionment, and rekindled by a divine encounter, has brought me to where I am today: a preacher of grace, committed to sharing the transformative power of Christ’s love with the world.

On September 11, 2002, during my senior year of college, my world was shattered. While the nation mourned a devastating tragedy, I received a life-altering diagnosis: cancer. As if the diagnosis itself wasn’t harrowing enough, the cancer spread to the fluid in my brain, and doctors gave me little hope of survival. My journey took a dark turn when I slipped into an unconscious state, with medical experts doubtful that I would ever wake up. But against all odds, I did. The battle wasn’t over, though. I had to relearn how to walk, rebuild my strength, and fight for every breath.

In the face of such adversity, I refused to give up. With determination and grit, I not only survived but went on to accomplish what many thought was impossible. I completed a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. My story of resilience, survival, and triumph became the foundation of my work as an inspirational and motivational speaker. I shared my journey with the world, inspiring others to overcome their own obstacles and push beyond their limits.

Yet, despite my success, there was always a lingering feeling that something was missing. I had achieved so much, but my soul yearned for something deeper. During the pandemic, as the world stood still, I found myself sitting by the water, contemplating life and my future. It was in that moment that the word "LORD" appeared in the sky, a vision so vivid and profound that it shook me to my core. It was my Damascus Road moment, and my life was once again transformed.

Gradually, I found my way back to the faith I had long abandoned. By 2024, as I celebrated the 20th anniversary of my bone marrow transplant, I felt a divine calling to write The Transplant on Calvary. This book is more than just a memoir; it’s a testament to the power of grace and the depth of God’s love. In it, I draw a parallel between my bone marrow transplant and the ultimate sacrifice Christ made on Calvary.

Just as my bone marrow transplant provided me with a new lease on life—infusing me with healthy cells and giving me the strength to overcome a death sentence—Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is the ultimate spiritual transplant. On the cross, Jesus took on our sin, our sickness, and our death, offering us in return His righteousness, His life, and His victory. This divine exchange is the heart of the Gospel, and it’s a message that has transformed my life from the inside out.

Today, my calling is to preach and teach the profound truth of our identity in Christ and the rest we can find in His finished work. Just as I had to learn to rest and trust in the process of my healing, I now invite others to rest in the finished work of Christ—a work that declares, "It is finished." Through The Transplant on Calvary, and in my ministry, I share the message of grace, urging everyone to embrace their true identity in Christ and live in the fullness of His love and victory.