Brian's Story
August 2006

Barry Smith, church planter at Impact Community Church in Sacramento, shares an e-mail he received recently from 28-year-old Brian, explaining the impact the church has had on his life:

So I just wanted to drop a line and say thank you for giving me the chance to listen to your goals and see your passion towards the church. I decided to come to this church to give the idea of faith one last chance. I would like to take a little bit of your time and explain who I am and what I hope to get out of Impact.

First off, I am the guy with the neck tats. My girlfriend Mary explained how Impact has helped her throughout her struggles and also how great she feels every time she is there. So I asked her if I can go and she said yes of course. So far the experience has been wonderful. It is the first time I have gone into a church and not a single person had judged me for my tats. It certainly was a release.

I’ve been through a lot my whole entire life. I have struggled with drug addiction, alcoholism and an abusive mother. I was homeless at one time for close to two years. I had three overdoses due to cocaine. I lost my father due to liver failure a year ago and at the same time my marriage went to crap and I lost my son. All this and I am only 28. It has never been easy for me and not until recently have I noticed that it may have been because of my lack of faith.

Growing up I figured God was not there because if he was in my life things would have been better. I went to a private Lutheran School where it was forced down my throat to be one with God, yet the same people preaching love, equality, and making positive choices with God were throwing erasers at me for asking for a pencil in math class. So needless to say I have struggled with faith. Then I met Mary and I finally knew it would be ok to try it again. She seemed ok, so heck it couldn’t hurt. Well, it has been one of the best decisions I ever made.

So thank you again for the opportunity to try again. I don't know where this will lead me and how it will all end up. I can say that at the end of the road I can look back and know it was all worth it.

We have used Brian’s real name, with his permission, so that God would receive all the glory for the work He is doing in his life. For more information on the life-changing ministry of Impact Community Church, visit www.ImpactCommunity.com.