“I cook for the students at Emory University and I go to the games to support them. I was hooked on crack and almost died and had to leave Florida to change my environment. I walked across this campus in 1999 and said, ‘Lord, why am I here?’ I still keep in contact with some of the students and they come see me when they are back on campus. I am here to help people. I got off drugs the day I had a mild heart attack and smoked the last piece of rock I had left instead of calling 911. That day I told God I couldn’t do that anymore. The next day the police raided my house because I was in the drug game and sold to undercover cops. That laid the foundation for me getting help. I did 63 days in jail and three years probation. I had to leave so I could live.

I am supposed to be dead, but I have had a second chance and there is not a kid on campus who doesn’t know Pasta John. I give my testimony to people and give them a second chance. Emory saved my life and I have seen things I never thought I would see like a Hungarian wedding. We are all ministers. You don’t need a pulpit to tell people God loves them and they are going to be okay. So many people are less fortunate than we are and would love to switch places with us. I used to complain about living paycheck to paycheck until the Holy Spirit told me to be thankful for the paycheck and I can pay my bills. Some people can’t do that. I live a good life today and don’t think about tomorrow because it is not promised to me. I just want to make three people smile today, sometimes hearing a kind word is what they need.

We are all human and fall short of the glory of God but by God’s strength we are all healed. We have to believe that and trust in what God has provided. You have to forgive people from your heart even if they don’t accept it. You did your part. God forgave you. He shows you the road to go down but you have to go down it. Everything I have I cherish. I may not have everything I want, but I have everything I need. Lord, I am preaching now.”