The Grad and the Student

This is Charles Aguilar’s first time at a Harvest Crusade. He is currently a student at a men’s home in Riverside. In his 39 years of life, he has spent 18 of those years behind bars. As a teenager he grew up in gangs, was a meth addict, and got involved in crime. He’s been arrested for everything from kidnapping to assault and battery. He ended up losing everything in life including his home and most importantly, his marriage. He described himself as being "stiff-necked and disobedient.”

“Even in prison,” he said, “God kept sending me warnings, but I never listened." It was not until he decided to commit himself 100% to the Lord that he started to find new life. He encourages those who are still on the wrong path, "No matter what your life is like, continue to get on your knees so the Holy Spirit can enable you to do God’s will. With all expectation according to the Scriptures, I’m believing that God will restore my marriage so that others may know through my testimony that He is God!"

His mentor, a graduate from the same men’s home, looks on in agreement as Charles tells his story. He is David Roman, a 48-year-old recovering addict who brought Charles tonight. He too has walked a long hard road, which began in the early 1980s. He says, "I lost focus, when all my friends were becoming Christians. I didn’t want to associate with them anymore. I started smoking pot and drinking alcohol, which led to stronger drugs like meth. I burned all my bridges, lost touch with my parents, and was homeless." When he finally came to the end of himself, he realized he needed to repent. "It was me being truly sorrowful; I didn’t want to displease my Father in heaven anymore. Once I understood that, my heart became stronger." What helps him stay focused now? "If I find myself going down the wrong path, I remember how it ends. So I surround myself with godly people, I serve in my church, I volunteer to help others, and I share what God did for me."