The Harbor men pose for a group photo after baptisms at their retreat at Wi-Ne-Ma Camp.
Seven and a half months ago, before he ever walked through the doors at The Harbor, Patrick was an agnostic. For years, Patrick struggled with the idea of God. It was a confusing concept. For all that Patrick knew and learned throughout his life, he simply couldn’t define who God is.
“Before I came to The Harbor, I had never been to church, I never opened a Bible, I was doing stuff wrong in my life, but I didn’t know it was called sin. I felt so empty,” Patrick explained. “Then I came here, they started talking a lot about Jesus Christ and the Bible, and something in my heart just started to make the Gospel clear and explain it to me.”
In response, Patrick’s life has been rapidly changing—transforming him from the inside out each and every passing day. Fast-forward to a recent retreat at Wi-Ne-Ma Camp, Patrick’s journey hits new heights still. Surrounded by gray clouds, and in the middle of the wind and rain, he decided to get baptized right there in the Pacific Ocean.
“It was time to give that outward expression of my faith, and I wanted to show my brothers that I’m in 100 percent,” he said. “When I came out of the water, it wasn’t like I had arrived, that doesn’t happen until death, but it was a commitment, a reminder about what I’m living for … Now, I’m more focused, more eager to pursue God and ready to dive more into the Scriptures.
“It’s been a great journey. It’s been hard and confusing at times, but it’s been great.”
1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
WHY? – “When I’m in a hard spot, and I just say that to myself in my head, it’s calming. It reminds me what to do. “
WHAT ELSE? – “The book of Ecclesiastes also resonates with me because when I was in my addiction, I had everything that a young guy would want as far as my friends were concerned. I had money, I had a good job and I was having a grand ol’ time, but I was empty. I wasn’t enjoying life. I couldn’t buy anything that made me happy and I couldn’t accomplish anything that made me feel good. I just felt that emptiness. … Ecclesiastes struck a chord with me because it talks about how life is meaningless without God. I can have nothing and still be content in God .”