When death seemed the only way out – God came calling!

A real-life testimony of God’s power to save

At the end of eight years, Jacob (pictured, left) was the top-performing pupil, not only in the school but in his village.

It felt like everyone was celebrating his success.

Jacob was happy and excited. His was a hope-filled future … high school … university … who knows where he could go?

Until… he went home…

Passing his result slip to his father, Jacob anticipated the same joyous response that he’d received from everyone else.

Hope shattered

The resultslip floated gently to the floor, discarded, and along with it, all of Jacob’s hopes fluttered away.

His father had tossed the slip away in an act of mockery, saying with disgust, “What do you expect me to do with this?”

The End. Or, so it seemed.

 From that moment, things didn’t get any better for Jacob. In fact, they got a lot worse. Things got so bad that, under a dark cloud of hopelessness, he decided to end it all. Taking his own life was his only option.

Having securely wrapped a rope around the branch of a strong tree, Jacob shifted himself into position. The noose placed loosely around his neck, Jacob prepared to fall.

Then, breaking through the evening stillness, Jacob heard a voice. A gentle, quiet voice said, “Jacob … Jacob, you are my son and I love you!”

Hearing the voice, Jacob stopped and listened. The voice came again, “Jacob … Jacob, you are my son and I love you!”

What voice was this? Where was it coming from?  Jacob had never heard these words before. He had never heard the words, ‘I love you’, spoken to him.

Who could it be? He sat motionless on the tree branch, confused, looking around. But no one was there.

Everything changed

At that moment, as a fifteen-year-old boy facing the utmost despair, Jacob met his true father. The perfect father. You see, it was the voice of God that lovingly called to him. That saved him.

I am happy to tell you that Jacob walked away from that tree of despair and began a journey of sonship.

Retelling his story, Jacob beams with delight; he laughs! He is now married and the father of four wonderful children. He knows he is a beloved son of Almighty God.

In his role as chaplain for Route 61, Jacob is a shining light of hope for the children. He knows all too well the lonely and empty darkness that they face.  Jacob now uses his story, which was intended to rob, kill and destroy, to lead others into their healing and freedom.

The children trust Jacob and freely share their own tragic stories with him. Jacob is living proof that with God there is the power and hope to overcome any adversity they are facing. 

 Love is greater than all evil

Jacob shares the love that he continues to receive. The perfect, holy love of Father God, as revealed in Jesus. There is no force greater and no power higher than this love – because God is love.

It is a joy having Jacob on our team.

YOU have something to offer

As wonderful as Jacob is, he has no advantage over you regarding ability or knowledge. He is simply receiving the love of God and giving that love away.

And you can do that too!

We invite you to contact us and explore how you can be the beautiful expression of God’s love that you uniquely are and transform lives with your love.