Mendoza struck a deal and ended up going to prison before being released and jumping right back into the crime mix.
“I was a fool … and I went right back into what they call in the streets, ‘the game,'” he said.
Once again, Mendoza found himself arrested and behind bars, with his legal conundrum becoming even more complex and troubling. But then something life-altering happened: his brother, who was also behind bars, became a Christian and set off on a mission to bring Mendoza to faith.
Remarkably, Mendoza’s brother saw his prayers answered.
“I gave my life to the Lord … there was no other recourse,” Mendoza said. “I said, I need to try God, I’ve tried everything else, I had millions of dollars, but it was never satisfying. Suddenly, it didn’t matter anymore that I was behind bars; I was freer here than I had ever been.”
Despite his legal problems and past mistakes, Mendoza decided to become a Christian — an experience that deeply and profoundly impact his heart and mind.
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“I felt this warmth that enveloped me. I felt the presence of God,” he said, noting that he suddenly wanted to heal his past mistakes and relationships. “I realized that Jesus paid the price for my sin … I was a walking dead man and now I’m alive in Christ.”
After Mendoza’s release, he started traveling the globe to share the gospel.
Herman Mendoza is now an associate pastor at Promise Ministries in New York and an international speaker. He travels around the world preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and sharing his testimony of freedom.
For more of his incredible story, read his new book, “Shifting Shadows: How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected.”
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