John Klewin
I was raised in a Catholic family and attended Catholic school as a child, where I received my First Communion and Confirmation. From what I’ve been told, I was a good kid growing up. But things began to change during my freshman year of high school after I suffered my first head injury playing football. Over time, I experienced multiple head injuries, and their effects left me feeling angry, confused, and lost.
From about the age of fifteen, my life became unstable. I struggled with depression, anxiety, and mental health challenges, along with bullying and the effects of those injuries. I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and spent years on and off different medications. During that time, I hurt people around me and went through very dark seasons, including homelessness and suicide attempts. Looking back, I can see that I was broken and searching for something to fill the emptiness in my life.
Several years ago, I hit rock bottom. I became obsessed with pushing myself physically and mentally, sleeping very little and constantly striving, until I eventually collapsed into a severe, sleep-deprived psychosis and was hospitalized. Around that time, a cousin invited me to a men’s Bible study, and I began attending church. It wasn’t perfect or consistent at first, but it was the beginning of my return to God.
Later, I was introduced to GBC, and from my first service, I was deeply impacted by the preaching of God’s Word and the church community. Over time, I began to clearly see my sin, my brokenness, and my need for a Savior. I realized I could not fix my life on my own. I confessed my sin and placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, trusting in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of my sins.
Over this past year especially, God has continued to work in my life. With the help of doctors and a strong support system, I’ve found stability in ways I haven’t experienced since I was a teenager. By God’s grace, my life is changing.
Today, I am seeking to follow Christ daily. I attend church, pray, and am reading through the Bible for the first time. I’ve started college, can hold steady work, and have new hope and direction for my future. I desire to pursue a career in cybersecurity and, Lord willing, to one day serve in ministry.
My life is not perfect, but it has been transformed. Where there was once darkness and hopelessness, God is bringing healing, purpose, and new life. I am incredibly grateful for the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, and I stand here today to publicly declare my faith in Him.