Light Has Dawned

Happy New Year 2024! This is our first podcast episode release of this new year. God bless you and your families, thank you very much for the continual support.
On this episode you will hear the first ever guest host on the Wrong To Strong Chicago Podcast. Julio Mercado steps into the studio to interview REZUM, a multi genre Christian artist. Listen to REZUM share about his life growing up with his mom in Oklahoma and traveling to see his father in Illinois. This back and forth has it's up and downs and he finds himself getting into trouble at an early age. Alcohol, drugs and physical violence becomes his M.O.  This ends up landing him in jail on few different occasions. He ends up receiving probation for one such incident and then a few months later he ends up violating that probation on a similar charge. Behind bars, he begins to see God move in his life. At first things look like they are coincidences as he begins to see and receive answers to his prayers. He keeps trying to outrun God but finds himself running back into Him. Growing up in family of musicians and song writers, he has been writing songs since he was twelve. He now discovers that this is a God given gift, and that God is after him, to help turn his life around and to use his music to reach many for the Kingdom.

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rezummusic

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@REZUM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DCtHJqKqDMsCjln1vuKHs?si=PDWTd2reQjaNr0Y7UWgWQA

 iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rezum/1511596550

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austin.szumigalski?mibextid=LQQJ4d

 IG: https://www.instagram.com/rezummusic

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📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

From darkness to light. This is my testimony.

In this special episode of the Light Has Dawned Podcast, the tables are turned as my wife, Ann, sits down to interview me about my life and the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

I share openly about growing up on Chicago’s Southwest Side, the influence of gangs and drugs, the loss and anger that helped draw me deeper into the streets, incarceration at 18 years old, and the hopelessness that followed me even after coming home.

But that wasn’t the end of my story.

We talk about how we met, the prayers she prayed for me, the spiritual battle taking place in our home, and the moment I finally surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. What followed was not simply behavior modification. God began changing my heart, my desires, my relationships, my marriage, and the direction of my life.

If you came to this episode through the QR code in my book, From Darkness to Light: The Gospel Journey, welcome. You’ve read pieces of my testimony throughout the book; this conversation gives you the opportunity to hear the fuller story.

And if you discovered this episode through the podcast, I’m glad you’re here. My prayer is that wherever you are in life, this testimony reminds you that no darkness is too deep and no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

Jesus Christ still saves, restores, and transforms lives.

If this testimony encourages you, share it with someone who needs hope.

Learn more about Light Has Dawned Ministries at lighthasdawnedministries.org.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

There comes a time in one's life when God uses someone to speak into your life, encourage you, especially at a time when no one else does. Hassan Anderson played such a role in the life of JC Almanza, who is the founder of "Wrong To Strong." According to JC, Hassan was the first person to ever believe in his dream and in his vision. Interestingly enough, Hassan was JC's parole officer at the time. 
Growing up in a bad part of New Jersey had exposed Hassan to crime, violence and murders at a very young age. He also remembers times when the only thing in the fridge was a ketchup bottle and he had to go ask the neighbors for some food for him and his sisters. Though his mom and dad were never together, his dad emphasized the importance of him getting an education. He ends up getting a scholarship and playing football at Rutgers. But through a series of bad choices he finds himself catching a criminal case at that time. Tune in to hear how his story plays a huge role in what "Wrong To Strong" is doing today through it's various platforms, including this podcast.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

This podcast episode was recorded on wife's podcast called "Her Scars Tell A Story." If you haven't done so yet please go take a listen to it.  She wanted to record a special Thanksgiving episode, so I joined her as a guest to discuss the importance of living a life full of gratitude and thankfulness.  We talk about  being thankful to God for who He is and all the blessings He gives to us.  As believers , we are often urged throughout scripture to give thanks but I'll be the first to admit that my initial response in troubling times isn't one of thanksgiving. I'm learning that even in difficult and trying times God is there leading us and guiding us through such difficulties.  He keeps us and gives us the strength to keep going and seeking Him. Tune in to hear a message of hope that is much needed in this season.

https://herscarstellastory.buzzsprout.com
Instagram: @herscarstellastory
https://www.youtube.com/@herscarstellastory3899/
https://www.facebook.com/herscarstellastory
Email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

I was joined in studio by Jose Rodriguez for this weeks podcast interview. Jose grew up in the West Englewood neighborhood on the southside of Chicago. Being Hispanic and growing up in a predominantly African American neighborhood was rough for him and his siblings. His parents enrolled him in a different neighborhood school to try to make it better for them, but this led him into even more trouble. Street life becomes the norm and he finds himself being able to maneuver through the various neighborhoods and various gangs he encounters. He befriends some rival gang members and they are able to coincide respectfully at times and vouch for one another. Work, party life and violence is his routine. One day as he is kicking back watching T.V. his sister tells him, "God loves you, and He's coming for you!" This statement grabs his attention. He asks himself, "Is God going to kill me?" Little does he know, that the path he would find himself on, a path of crime and drug dealing, would lead him to an encounter with the One who was coming after him. Tune in to hear this man's story of redemption.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

From Colorado all the way back to Chicago! I had the opportunity to connect with Shawn Rae, for the first time in person.  I picked him up from Ohare airport while being followed & mean mugged by airport police. This is how our day started LOL. We also had Julio Mercado join us in the studio for the recording of this podcast episode. 
On here Shawn shares how he ended up connecting with "Wrong To Strong " and about the ministry work he is doing for them today.  Join in on our conversation as we discuss various topics including how growing up in Chicago shaped us and molded us into the men we are today. Listen to battles we've fought, lessons we learned and to the joy we are experiencing today. Julio said it best when he said, "Things are not falling apart, they are falling into place!"

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

On this podcast episode Jose M. Mendoza joins me to share how life was growing up on the southside of Chicago in the Brighton Park neighborhood.  From the age of 3 months old his mom leaves him to his grandma to be raised by her. He never meets his father. Brighton Park was heavily gang infested and in the 7th grade he finds himself pulled in to that lifestyle.  Alcohol and drugs begin to take over his life and gun violence soon follows. He finds himself constantly getting locked up, in and out of the juvenile system and county prison. Many years later he moves to Texas to escape the life he was leading out here but he is consumed by an alcohol & drug addiction. He finds himself homeless and hopeless until God steps in. Tune in to hear this man's story of redemption as well as all the ministry work he is currently involved in.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

I am joined on this week's podcast by Ignacio Gonzalez. He was born and raised on the southside of Chicago in a neighborhood named "Back of the Yards." His family was hardworking and loving. From a young age he is taught the value of hard work and service to his people and community by his father who  was also a church deacon. He learns to maneuver through various Chicago gang neighborhoods on his way to and from school.  After high school, he finds that college is harder than he expected and decides to join some of his buddies who were already enlisted in the Marines.  This eventually puts him on a path that leads him into law enforcement and private contracting out in the middle east. He has a love hate relationship with the southside of Chicago which makes it easy for him to get away and travel the world. 
After the loss of some of his friends, he finds that instead of mourning for them he turns to anger. At the time he is unaware that he is unable to process his emotions in a healthy manner which leads him to become physically ill and weak. This one strong, tough and self sufficient man finds himself crying out to God. He goes on a spiritual journey that leads him down many paths. Through a series of events and circumstances he finds that the City of Chicago is calling him back. That there is a lot of work for him to do in his community. Tune in to hear the work and positivity he is bringing to a community which he once wanted to flee from. 

https://www.facebook.com/Dreamcatcher.cafe
https://dreamcatcher.cafe/
https://www.instagram.com/dreamcatchercafeig/
https://www.beyondlegacy.homes/
https://www.instagram.com/beyond_legacy_/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

 Julio Mercado joins me on this week’s podcast episode. Julio grew up in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. He was raised in a loving home with both his parents in the picture.  His neighborhood is surrounded by gangs and drug dealing and early into his teen years he finds himself able to stay away from those things. Sports become an outlet for him and help keep him busy and out of trouble. One day on his way to the Boys & Girls Club he is confronted by gang members from the opposite side of where he lives. They question him about his gang affiliation and they are not convinced that he is not a gang member. A group of them decide to jump him and begin to beat him. After this encounter, Julio walks back to where he lives and joins his local neighborhood gang within hours of his beating. Full of anger and rage,  a violent side of him is awakened and unleashed. He wages all out war on those who attacked him. This one moment for ever changes the course and destiny of his life. Frequent gun violence, beatings, deaths and drug dealing become the norm and he feels right at home in this environment. The devil grabbed a strong hold of this man and didn't want to let him go. Tune in to hear how one man was finally able to escape from the all out war in the streets of Chicago.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned

On today's podcast episode we do our first ever group interview. I am joined on here today by two good brother's, Arturo Gamino and Cisco Terrazas. They were two of the first men I interviewed when I first started doing this almost a year ago. We reflect back on the beginning of this podcast journey and what events led to it's start. 
Our main focus is on sharing what impact and effect the Word of God, the Bible, had in our lives. We are real and honest of how we dismissed the Bible, we didn't want to hear about it or have anything to do with it in our younger days. 
Psalm 119:71 reads, "My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees." God has a way of using trials, pain and suffering to get our attention and bring us closer to himself. We share what events, situations and scriptures really had an impact and brought change into our lives. Tune in to  hear this honest and raw conversation of men, who were once lost, hopeless, living in darkness and are now experiencing God's joy even in the midst of life's various trials.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📖 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: THE GOSPEL JOURNEY book

Eight lessons. One Gospel. A journey from darkness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Available on Amazon in English & Spanish versions.

ENGLISH: https://a.co/d/091DmTxC
SPANISH: https://a.co/d/0a70Efda

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lighthasdawned