In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher sit down with David Mendoza to hear his powerful testimony of encountering God in dramatic ways — and how those encounters ultimately led him back to the Catholic Church.
David grew up in a Catholic family and experienced moments of God’s presence even as a child. But as a teenager he drifted away from the faith, becoming involved in drugs, partying, martial arts culture, and Eastern mystical practices.
Despite running from God, the Lord continued pursuing him.
David shares incredible moments along his journey — including supernatural encounters, prophetic dreams, experiences of the Holy Spirit, healing prayer, and powerful moments of evangelization where God used him to reach people in unexpected places.
Yet even after encountering the power of the Holy Spirit in charismatic and Protestant communities, David felt a growing hunger for something more: the fullness of the sacraments and the historic Church founded by Christ.
Through studying Scripture and the early Church Fathers, David eventually discovered that the Church Christ established still exists today in the Catholic Church.
In this conversation, David shares:
His childhood encounters with God
How sin and Eastern mysticism pulled him away from the faith
Powerful supernatural experiences after returning to prayer
His journey through charismatic Protestant ministry
The role of the Holy Spirit in leading him to truth
How the Church Fathers convinced him of Catholicism
Why the Mass and the sacraments completed his faith
This episode is a powerful reminder that God never stops pursuing us, even when we wander far from Him.
And sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us through a long journey — only to bring us home.
00:00 Meet David Mendoza
02:07 Childhood Faith Sparks
03:40 Teenage Double Life
07:40 Martial Arts And Mysticism
11:15 Providence Meets His Wife
12:45 Leaving Mass For Baptist
14:21 Hunger For Holy Spirit
16:38 Seven Day Fast Fire
20:20 Healing And Prophetic Gifts
27:11 Word Of Knowledge Lessons
28:49 Spirit-Led Ministry Shift
30:05 Hunger for Sacraments
30:56 Charismatic Episcopal Bridge
32:38 Church Fathers Conviction
34:05 Sacramental Love Story
35:46 Cain and Abel Challenge
37:33 Back to Rome Fulfilled
37:54 Charismatic and Hierarchical
40:40 God Uses Imperfect Vessels
42:57 Apple Tree Growth Analogy
47:47 Confession and Prophecy
49:18 Eucharist Desire and Sacrifice
53:34 Unity and Renewal Call
01:01:58 Final Blessing and Prayer