My family’s religious background is Mormon, but we were not at all active or involved. We never attended services in our ward, which ostracized me as a child. I remember the kids in the neighborhood were not allowed to play with me because I didn’t go to their church. I went a few times, just to try and fit in, but I didn’t continue because even at that young age my experience felt wrong. It was fake and empty. As a result, I became bitter toward God and religion in general.

After high school, I began working with a close friend whom I really respected. He was always a fun and interesting person to converse with at work, and I loved going to watch his band which was quite successful in the local scene. But just as their popularity was growing, he became a Christian and quit his band to play music at some church called The Rock. A church? Seriously? I thought he was a fool! It certainly didn’t seem like an intelligent career move, yet it really piqued my curiosity about Christianity because my friend was definitely not a churchy kind of guy.

I lost touch with my friend after I landed a promotion and was transferred. My company felt I was a perfect candidate for advancement, so life was getting pretty good — by the world’s standards. I had a girlfriend and was happy, but I started to realize that the foundation of my life and self-worth was defined by money and success. And like all such foundations, mine soon began to crumble. My girlfriend left me because I was too absorbed with work, which absolutely crushed me, and then a few months later my job wasn’t going well and I stepped down from my position. So I lost my girlfriend because of my job, and then my job was gone. Everything that had become my identity fell apart. I wallowed in despair with no direction.

I moved back to my old store — and back to my old friend, who was still working there. I began to talk with him much more in depth about “this whole Christianity thing.” Since my life felt empty and worthless, I figured he might have some answers. I was shocked by his boldness and a little skeptical, so I didn’t hold back. I spewed a bunch of hard-hitting questions at him, contrasting his beliefs to my own perforated church background. He carefully explained things to me, and as we spoke I was blown away by the transformation in his life. It resonated deeply within me, so I decided to check out his church. After all, what could it hurt?

I first attended The Rock in November 2008. Honestly, I was impressed before I’d even stepped from my car because a complete stranger pulled up next to me and waved. My past church experiences were never friendly, so this was certainly new and intriguing. And once inside, it was even more different! The music was loud and upbeat and all about God, and the message strictly focused on Jesus Christ alone — NOT the institution of church. The entire culture was so genuine and friendly that I knew deep in my heart it was right.

I attended for a few weeks, and came to the unwavering conclusion that Jesus was the real deal. One of the pastors sat down with me and shared the Gospel in a way that made sense, focusing on grace and love and the true meaning of the cross. I asked Jesus Christ into my life, fully understanding that it’s “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Like my friend, my life has completely changed. My worship of money and worldly success has been replaced by a worship of Jesus Christ. The friends I have gained at The Rock are my family. They’re real people trying to humbly serve and glorify Christ in everything they do — and now I am too.

It seems awkward to call this my story of coming to God, because it’s the story of God coming to me. The light of His love shattered the darkness of my soul and ushered in peace and purpose. It was nothing I did or could ever do — it’s what He did out of His love for me!