Road To Nineveh is not just a clothing idea -- it is a testimony.
My Life Before Christ
Growing up, I was raised in a Christian home going to church twice a week and going to a a Christian school from pre school through 8th grade. When high school came, I instantly got involved with the wrong crowd of people. Drugs and a sense of wanting to fit in quickly made hanging out with the wrong crowd turn into becoming the wrong crowd.
From participating in the street lifestyle, my parents quickly found out I was making money with no job, buying nice clothes, shoes, and jewelry. At 17, they gave me the option to quit or be kicked out. I packed my bags and left.
From 17 until my early to mid 20s, I completely immersed myself in the world. Gangs, women, money, a reputation.... I was quickly building a name for myself. Unfortunately, it was all via sin.
I built a reputation of being down to do whatever was necessary, I was coldhearted and always angry. The more women I had, the lonelier I became. The more money I got, the more greedy I became. The more I would hurt or take advantage of people, the angrier I got.
The Moment God Confronted Me
All this time, I had told people I was a Christian. It was just a label. One night, a friend told me, "if you are a Christian then so are we because we all do the same things... if anything you are worst than some of us."
In that moment, I felt like someone hit my soul with a sledgehammer. I realized I was living a complete lie.
Titus 1:16: "Such people claim to know God, but they deny him by the way they live."
That moment instantly turned into to an identity crisis. I realized I was lying to God, lying to myself, and lying to my group of people. I was a hypocrite.
That turned into a year long battle with depression, anger turned to rage... I tried to run from the conviction God put on me. I tried to earn my peace with God by stopping the violence but still making money in sinful ways. I thought it would bring peace but it brought even more depression and anger. Then I tried to stop that but still be immoral with women. The more things I tried sacrificing for God, the worse I felt.
I went back to church for the first time in years and the Pastor was preaching in the book of James. James 2:19: "You know God is one, you do well. Even the demons know and they shudder with fear." He even brought up Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
I realized this was my problem -- I was trying to live on my own terms. I realized salvation comes from complete repentance and submission to Jesus Christ.
I gave my life to Christ and had to do what I had previously thought was the worst thing any man could do -- renounce the streets. I thought it was a betrayal and worthy of punishment but I chose to fear God over men.
My Transformation
Before, I had knowledge of God but no submission. I was angry, coldhearted, greedy, selfish, and viewed humans for what they could do for me. I thought I lost everything: money, women, friends -- people who I would have died for. It was rough at first, but the best decision I have ever made. I lost the world but gained my soul through Christ.
Christ turned my heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Anger went to peace and hope. Greed and selfishness turned to love and a want to serve others. He had put on my heart to warn and plead with others who thought they could both live for the world and live for God.
1 Timothy 1:15-16:
"This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. "
God has since used me to witness to the lost, disciple others into strong relationships with Christ, gone overseas on long mission trips, and more. All glory to God!
Why I Created Road To Nineveh
The book of Jonah shows God can redeem anyone, use anyone for his purpose, and call even the most lost peoples and cities to salvation. Just like Jonah, God pursued me even during my rebellion. Instead of being ashamed of my past, God has used it to reach people in jails and people with hardened hearts. Life is a long road and the story is not about us. It is about the will of God. This is the Road To Nineveh.
My past lifestyle inspired the preferences of clothing I like and I realized there was no streetwear-styled Christian merch. This clothing company is to allow people with any past to boldly proclaim their faith and offer opportunities to plant seeds and share testimonies.
A Message for Anyone Reading This
Everywhere we step foot is our mission field.
Road To Nineveh exists because redemption is real. If God can use someone like me. He can use you too!
Christ died for us openly -- so live boldly for Him.