I was raised in a Christian home. Two Christian parents, married still to this day. I have been in church since I was a young child. In high school I started drifting away from my Christian values and beliefs as I was persuaded by the kids around me. In 10th grade I started really getting involved with friends who lead me down a lifestyle of sin. None of my friends were Christians, but I was still going to church to appease my parents. In fact, I never stopped going to church. From about 16 until I was 21 I was involved with these friends. When I was 21 most of my friends had moved away for college and I didn't have any friends. Because of this I started going to a young adult group that my brother led. I didn't want to be a Christian and be held accountable for my sin, but I wanted to meet friends. I was lonely. 

I had been going to this young adult group for about a year and I met some friends. I lied to them, and was fake towards them, pretending that I was a christian to fit in. Eventually I started dating a girl from the group. I realized in this, that one day I wanted to have a christian wife, but not right now. I wasn't done with my lifestyle of sin. 

She one day figured out that I wasn't a real christian, only pretending to be. She ended things with me. I was heartbroken and I went to talk to Joey Bacigalupo, who was one of my best friends at the time even though I had been lying and fake with him for over a year. I told him that the girl had dumped me because she realized I wasn't a real christian. He asked me about my faith and why I didn't believe in Christ. He was able to answer my questions easily and then shared the Gospel with me. That night he told me to go home and read Romans. So I started reading and I realized that I had known that there was a God, and that Jesus was my savior -- but I was suppressing that truth in my unrighteousness. Reading Romans answered all of my questions, and then I started asking Joey and James (my two best friends) questions about it. From that point on I believe that I was redeemed by Christ, viewed as holy in God's sight. I've repented of my sins, and continue to repent every day. I've put my trust and faith into Jesus Christ as my one and only savior. My mediator between God and myself. I know that his blood has cleansed me of my sin, and given me a new heart. 

It's been about 5 years since that night, and I continue to be sanctified every day. Growing in the grace and truth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.