My name is Ron and I come from a dysfunctional divorced family.  My parents got divorced when I was only 14 years old.  My parents cheated on each other and often brought me along when they did.  My father was an alcoholic and a gambler.  I grew up thinking these things were normal, only to find out years later how false that was.  I thought for the longest time that it was my fault.  Man, talk about deception!

I used and sold drugs for over 15 years before I was glorious delivered in 1990.  You see I had to reach rock bottom before looking up.  I was addicted to cocaine and pot and have used almost every drug there is except heroin.  One night after many attempts to quit, I was sitting in my house and just said to God, “If you are really real I need your help.”  The following night I was arrested.  I had lived a life of rebellion, drug use, and violence.  I used to carry guns wherever I went, even in my sleep I would have one in my hand.  I even moved away from many of my old so called friends thinking that would work.  Of course it didn’t.

I was raised in church and knew about God and church, but never received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  After I was arrested and waiting to be sentenced for my crime I had a vision in the L.A. County Jail.  Jesus made a visit to me and all I can say is I have never been the same since.  That night when Jesus visited me, it was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life.  I called home and asked my mother for help.  I told her what had happened to me and persuaded her to get my grandmother to bail me out so I could come to her church and ask Jesus Christ into my heart.  It was April 15, 1990, on Easter Sunday when I went forward to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.  When I asked Jesus Christ into my heart and became born again I was delivered from drugs instantaneously.  It was in my mind kind of like when Saul became Paul.  My whole life began to change from the inside out.  God is always at work!

Soon after I became a Christian I had to go back to court to receive my sentence.  I saw things during my incarceration that have changed my life forever.  I believe prison at best is survival, at worst it is death!  Some of you know just what I am talking about.

Since my release life has been a journey, to put it mildly.  But God has shown Himself faithful over and over.  Shortly after my release I was fortunate enough to find several men that have mentored me and have helped me to realize the importance of Bible Study, prayer, and accountability, one of them being Mr. Mel Novak.  I praise the Lord for men like Mel and his commitment to serve the Lord!  Mel is faithful to God’s call on his life.  I got involved in prison ministry in late 1993, and have been blessed to be involved more and more over the years.  I have since had the privilege of starting my own prison ministry, (Lighthouse Prison Ministry), as well as going to seminary school and receiving my Bachelor’s degree in theology.  Soon after my graduation I was ordained and licensed as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What satan meant for evil, God has turned around for good.  God’s Word says, “God will restore the years that the locusts have eaten.”  Joel 2:25   My life is a living testimony of that.  I give the Lord all glory, honor, and praise for whatever good comes out of my life; after all I can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5).  Amen and God bless each one of you.

                                                                        Ron Zaucha