NEXT

We wanted to share the testimonies given at Next during the general sessions in written and video form. Here’s Zac’s story.

Zack Russell Testimony from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Zac
KingsWay Community Church, Richmond

My name is Zac Russell and this is my story of how Jesus Christ changed my life.

I figure I will just start from the beginning of my life with this testimony of how God has worked in my life. Right away from birth the doctors and my parents could tell I was gonna be a tough one to deal with. At birth I came out purple because I was pretty much refusing to breathe… but after my first spanking I shortly gave into my parents and the doctors. Right away my parents could tell that I wasn’t going to be easy…

I grew up in KingsWay Community Church in Richmond, Virginia and my parents led our family to the truth of God’s Word. Around age twelve I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was baptized shortly thereafter. I believe that I was converted at this time but during my teenage years I would struggle to follow the Lord and my parents instruction.

During high school I was always grounded and in trouble. I think there were only four months of entire high school when I was not grounded. I regularly was in trouble for relationships with girls behind my parents backs, sneaking out to go partying, and lots of disrespect to my parents and to my teachers. My parents were forced to continually correct me for my actions. My rebellion cost me my senior season of baseball and because I started a fight during my senior year of basketball I was suspended for half of that season as well. Instead of heeding the warnings of my friends, parents, coaches and adults in the church I decided at the end of high school that instead of changing my ways and working things out with my parents I decided moving out was a better option.

I moved to Virginia Beach and was searching for answers and fulfillment. Again I found myself not investing in church and God… instead I focused on being a quasi rock star and spending way too much time in bad relationships and partying. After a while I ran out of money and I was being slowly alienated from all the people who really cared about me. Eventually everything I had was stripped away and I was forced to move back to Richmond… crawling back to my parents for help. They graciously took me back until I could find another place to live.

After getting my old job back and a steady paycheck for a few weeks I got my own apartment and was back on my feet again. I flirted with coming back to church but I never really committed to coming back. After awhile I grew bored with my life and decided that moving out to Arkansas to play baseball was a good option….................... So I did. I tried to escape the Lords inevitable plan for my life by moving to Arkansas. I’m really really really dumb and it only took me a few weeks out in Arkansas to figure that one out. Again eventually everything I had was stripped away and I was forced to move back to Richmond… crawling back to my parents for help. BUT the difference this time was that the Lord took hold of my heart and showed me compassion… and I could really feel Him calling me back to Richmond. After my Christmas break I drove back to Arkansas..packed up my things and drove straight back to Richmond. I was so excited to be coming home… I couldn’t even sleep or take a break from driving. All in all I drove over 2,000 miles and was awake for 38 hours straight before God finally got me home. The last four hours of the trip I did nothing but ball my eyes out because I realized I was getting a third chance at being where God had called me to.

God used events like a mens’ retreat and my care group to help me to not let this third chance go to waste… and to have faith to step up to my goal of membership at my church.

In closing the last two things I wanna say are the two practical things about God that have really helped me come back into His family. The first is the story of John the Baptist. While I was in Arkansas I studied his life… and it really helped me feel like God had a place in His plan for “wild” people. It really helped me feel like Christianity is not just a religion for people who dress like it’s Easter Sunday everyday of the week. That God can use ordinary dudes to accomplish big things.

And the last thing is a quote from my favorite worship song. While I was driving home from Arkansas this is the song that triggered all the emotion and crying and all that… because for the first time in a long time… it felt real to me. And if you really want to sum up my testimony… I think this is the perfect way.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!