The Conversion of Sonny Lara is a modern-day miracle. Raised in the dangerous east side of San Jose, Sonny came from a long line of criminals. His grandfather was a professional hit man for gangs and even tried to kill his own children. Sonny's grandfather met his death by gang-style execution. As he was growing up, Sonny's mother would chide him saying, "you're going to turn out just like your grandfather!"

With this violent and godless family background, it was no wonder that Sonny began taking and selling drugs while still in elementary school. He was the one every family said to keep away from. Teachers even tried to make Sonny skip grade five because they saw him as being dangerous to the other children. By age 12 Sonny became the youngest person to be in perpetual probation . . . in and out of juvenile detention centers.

At the young age of 12, Sonny started a gang, which eventually led him to be involved in sorts of crime: armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, shoot outs, police car chases, and on and on! By the time he was 27 years old, Sonny was sentenced to prison and would go on to spend years in the most notorious prisons in California.

Thankfully, around this time Sonny's wife, Linda, became a Christian through the persistent witnessing of her sister. Prior to that, Sonny's sister had also received Christ and warned Sonny that she put him on God's spiritual hit list, and "He don't miss." Linda began urging Sonny to follow Christ and give God the leadership of his life. Initially, Sonny would have nothing to do with it – but Linda kept on praying.

Then one day, Sonny heard the audible voice of God in his prison cell saying, "you can come and serve Me, or make this place your home!" Sonny responded to this voice and encountered God through a radical conversion.

As you listen to this amazing Conversions story, you will have hope for even the most difficult people. No one is too far from the grace of God!

Bios of Dr. Sonny and Linda Lara

Drs. Sonny & Linda Lara are the Founders & Executive Directors of The Firehouse Community Development Corporation. For the past 25 years, Sonny has been recognized as a Gang Expert by city and state officials and has received a host of awards and letters of support. He has also received media coverage for his endeavors in the community. His wife, Dr. Linda A. Lara, has a passion to empower and train leaders who will change lives and transform nations.  She earned an AA Degree in Practical Ministry at IMPACT School of Ministry, as well as an AA Degree in Theology from Sierra Pacific Bible College, and ultimately earned her PhD in Christian Leadership from United Graduate College and Seminary International. Linda is the Founder and Director of The Future Elite Academy. She is also a talk show host on her on-line and mobile TV Show "Kingdom Global Innovators" where she empowers others to Make it Happen #MIH.

Sonny & Linda Lara lead The Firehouse, which is a part of the City of San Jose Mayor's Gang Task Force, providing gang intervention, crisis response and leadership to at-risk youth. TheFirehouse provides many benefits to the community including decreased crime, homicide, and even decreased graffiti and vandalism. Under the leadership of Dr Sonny Lara, The Firehousehas succeeded in transitioning individuals and families into the mainstream as contributing members of society. Providing everything from life skills to tatoo removal to community service, The Firehouse equips gang members to leave the gang lifestyle and become a functioning part of society.

Sonny and Linda reside in San Jose, CA.  Apostles Sonny and Linda Lara live in Morgan Hill, CA and have 4 children, all which are in ministry and help them lead the San Jose church.