Friday Night Vespers 2-19-21

Our guestt speaker last night was Jacob Merchant, our youngest client, who has been in the program since October 2019. He turns 21 on February 26th and will be graduating within the next few months. This young man is a miracle and has a riveting testimony about the power of Jesus Christ.

He grew up in a home with loving parents, the youngest of four boys. His parents were Firefighters and he enjoyed his childhood. He attended private schools, building healthy relationships with classmates who are still his friends today.

At the age of 14, his parents were divorced because of his dad’s drinking problem. This separation brought heartache and pain and his life changed drastically. He started using marijuana, selling drugs and eventually started gang banging.

Jacob dropped out of school in the 11th grade and was heavily involved in selling drugs, stealing cars and became addicted to prescription drugs after being hospitalized for a gun shot wound from gang banging.

In June 2019, his world fell apart when his brother shot and killed his father and committed suicide. The pain and devastation pushed him further into the clutches of Satan. He committed three armed robberies and landed in jail with a $150,000 cash bond.

A miracle happened! Through his mother’s prayers, Jacob was released from jail to enter DAP. He is not the same man that walked through these doors 17 months ago. Morning devotions, individual and group counseling, landscape work, cooking and house chores are some of the activities that have brought joy and God’s healing to his life. He is presently earning his GED at J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College.

Last night he ended his testimony by saying, “I plan to stay off drugs, continue my education in Business Management, keep my strong relationship with Jesus, and be the best man that I can be.”

Jacob is smart and has so much potential. His personal testimony can save the lives of young people caught in the web of drug addiction and worldly pleasures. Please pray that he will be a disciple for Jesus by sharing his testimony, and above all, staying close to Jesus through Bible study and prayer.