It was midnight on October 31 when Jim Perry took part in a satanic ritual and signed his soul over to the devil. For 20 years, he was burdened by sin and pain, seeing no hope. Then a girl, Victoria, invited him to go to one of the Palau festivals in a London, England stadium, where I encouraged people to “bring their doubts.” Jim brought his. He didn’t think he could ever be saved. He thought accepting Christ would kill him.

The first hymn of the night was Fanny Crosby’s “To God Be the Glory.” The second verse of the song says, “The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.” Jim knew he was the vilest offender. He also knew that Jesus would save him. Jim gave his life to Jesus that night. He married Victoria, the girl who brought him to the festival, and they started working with a ministry that reaches out to people trapped in cults. Jim also became an ordained minister. They planted two churches.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus calls the devil a “thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” But Jesus added, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” This is what Jim experienced. His life was being destroyed by the devil, filled with fear and doubt and filth. But Jesus came and saved him, the “vilest offender,” giving him a new reason for living. Jesus wants everyone to come to Him and be rescued, to enjoy new life and new joys.

This is Luis Palau.