He Stepped Away From the Table Where Death Lay
At 20 years old, Dustin had enough of the broken relationships, heartbreak, and lost dreams. He’d lost his football scholarship. He’d lost his girlfriend. He’d lost his job. He’d lost his relationship with his dad. Dustin found the last stash of drugs and laid a massive line on the table. He reasoned it was easily enough to end the pain of his earthly life. Permanently.
Then the phone rang.
Dustin had a friend named David. David was an NYU student and a rapper rapidly ascending the ranks of the underground circuit in New York City. He encountered the Holy Spirit and left the drugs, sex, and fame to spend a year at the Antioch Overflow Experiment, a HUB outside Pittsburgh for the SCPX family. One night, God brought his old friend Dustin to his mind. He picked up the phone and called him.
“How you doing?” David said.
Tears began to pour on the table in front of Dustin, next to what would have been his suicidal last line of drugs.
“Not too good, man.”
The conversation went on. David prayed with Dustin. As they talked on the cell phone, Dustin stepped outside his house, walking away from the death that lay on the table. Beside a trash dumpster outside his apartment complex, Dustin fell to his knees and surrendered his life to Jesus.
David and his friends Ryan and Blaze began to walk with him and teach him how to grow as a follower of Jesus. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. That first week, Dustin received recurring dreams from the Holy Spirit about his call to tell others about Jesus and bring them into God’s kingdom. This weekend, when I visited the AOX base in Pittsburgh, I spent the weekend building a relationship with these young warriors who are spreading the hope, love, and power of Jesus. Here is a picture of David baptizing Dustin.
David baptizes Dustin at the AOX Hub outside Pittsburgh this weekend
When there are no pools of water around, we use whatever we can find
When someone catches Jesus, it’s like a good virus that begins to spread – bringing healing instead of sickness. It’s not about religion. It’s about a powerful relationship with the One who brings new life, both now and for eternity. He’s worth following. Tell someone!
Hi Erik, thanks for sharing this story, What a transformation!
I was wondering if I could share the story using the photos and printed material at a Salvation Army Detox unit I work at in Collingwood – Melbourne Australia. I’m a nurse there and I think it would inspire our guys immensely.
I’ll wait for your reply! Thanks, Greg.
Greg, absolutely. Please do share the story!
Dustin,
We are so proud of you we can hardly speak. Keep drawing closer to GOD and he will draw closer to you. We want you to spread your wings and soar with the eagles.
We love you mom and dad
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR SAVING YOUR LIFE AND YOUR WALK. ALWAYS HOLD OUT FOR GODS BEST!!!!!! MA ,MAW
Dustin,
I am SO proud of you words can’t even express! You are a strong and amazing man and God has a wonderful plan for you!
I love you!
Jess
Beautiful!
Dustin,
I am so proud of you. Now your life begins.
Love you,
Marilyn
Only God knows the depths of our despair and only the Lord our God can bring us out! Joy, comfort and peace abounds. Stay faithful and in His word. God bless you Dustin.
Dustin,
What a blessing to know you are now in God’s army. We will be lifting you up in prayer.
The Bates family
I needed to see this. I cannot wait to see what God has planned for you. Go get’m bro
Frineds of Dustin’s grandparents, father and mother
Hello Dustin, we just read about what you went throught, our heart and prayers is with you. Bro the angles in heaven is are enjoying over your salvation.
Love Clifton & Sarah