Ive had lots of influences in my life but one has changed my life considerably. It was my grandfather, his name was John. To start, grandpa gave great counsel and when problems arose he would say, “Stay positive and just deal with it.” “Never quit Michelle because God’s got something good for you.” Even though I have a degree under my belt already he inspired me to go back to college and pursue another career.As you know, divorce can be life altering for anyone. I was distraught when my marriage ended and grandpa John told me there was hope after a failed marriage. He gave me the courage to open up my heart.
Presently I work in healthcare theatre and at times it can be very stressful. Sometimes the patients and their families will make you lose your religion. But he asked me, “Do you like your job?” And I replied, “Yes, but its mentally and physical demanding.” And he pointed out that I should have more resilience because for these people it could be there last destination. He also said,“Not yours because you are young and your life has just begun.” Id like to say that I have no patience but yet his advice just humbled me. Now I try my best to treat people with dignity and respect.
My grandpa John was known for his tainted past, massive ministries around the globe and his vast perception. My grandfather really changed the way I viewed the world and now Im going to tell you why he's such an influence to me. To illustrate, As a young child and adolescent he struggled with a heroin addiction. He ran the streets of New York with a bunch of local gang members which landed him in several prisons. His mother would search the streets until she found him or returned home praying the authorities wouldn’t knock on the door saying her son was dead. This life kept him from being a fit parent, unable to provide for his children because no employer would give an addict a job. He entered into many drug rehabilitation centers but they did not give support to him. His mother and wife felt helpless because they couldn’t help him. Until one night, he laid lifeless in a dark street high off heroin, beaten and unable to protect himself from being robbed because he was so high. As he lay there, he began to feel like there was no hope for him. Being murdered in the streets or overdosing would be his ultimate demise. All he could do was lay there and wait for someone to call for help. Finally, help came but there was a warrant for his arrest so the police picked him up off the damp cement and carried him to the penitentiary once again. When he arrived, some of the men said, “John there is a church where you may be able to get help”. When John was released from prison he slipped back into his old ways once again. Under the control of drugs, he boarded a bus and passed out. At the next stop, he exited and decided to walk home. Then something caught his eye, a well lit cross belonging to a place of worship. It was the church that was described by the men in prison. Out of curiosity, he entered the church and was met by the members. They told him about a camp for addicts where they can help rehabilitate you. So out of desperation he joined the camp. He was really touched by the empathy and love that he felt from the counselors there. The camp counselors guided him spiritually and physically to help break his addiction. Finally, something worked and life was worth living.
Although his marriage to my grandmother Naomi failed, he remarried in 1967 to a female evangelist named Anne. They both settled in Virginia Beach and opened a small church eventually growing into one of the biggest mega churches in the state of Virginia, Rock Church. My grandfather worked diligently to accomplish his prophetic dreams. In the 1980’s, he formed a rally that was held in Washington, D.C. called “Washington for Jesus” so people could pray for our nation. Also he had a desire to help recover drug addicts and help those suffering from poverty. Africa always a heavy burden in his heart, he visited there regularly. With hard work and enough support, the Rock Church of Africa (Liberia) was opened. Soon an orphanage, free medical clinic and schools would follow. Churches were built in India, Fiji, and Ghana. There are five hundred Rock Churches internationally.
My grandfather is proof that everyone has a chance at redemption. He is the evidence that poverty and addiction can be overcome. Everyone that knew him held him in a high regard. He loved people and when he looked at you instantly you could feel God's love beaming from his eyes. When he spoke to people he saw no race, color or creed. And he didnt care if you were a Democrat looking for CHANGE or a Republican seeking more power. He didnt care about titles and false promises. He wanted to bring back that foundation to America and that is GOD. And without it, our country is slowly meeting its demise. Those of you who want CHANGE, buckle your seatbelts because its coming. My grandfather taught me that we have lost our focus. The very idea of why we exist. And that is to act out our place in this world and complete our destiny. All in all, Grandpa John showed me that other people in this world need help besides America and my family. One day, when the time is right, I will continue his work in Africa, strengthen my character and help build on to the great legacy that he has left my family. So what will you do?
My Great Influence - Original diagnostic essay
My grandpa John was known for his shady past, enormous ministries around the world and his vast wisdom. As a young child and young adult he struggled with heroin addiction. He ran the streets of New York with local gang members which landed him in several prisons. His mother would search the streets until she found him or returned home praying the authorities wouldn’t knock on the door saying her son was dead. This life kept him from being a fit parent, unable to provide for his children because no employer would give an addict a job. He entered into many drug rehabilitation centers but they did not aid him. His mother and wife felt powerless because they couldn’t help him. Until one night, he laid lifeless in a dark street high off heroin, beaten and unable to defend himself from being robbed because he was so high. As he lay there, he began to feel like there was no hope for him. Being murdered in the streets or overdosing would be his ultimate demise. All he could do was lay there and wait for someone to call for help. Finally, help came but there was a warrant for his arrest so the police picked him up off the wet cement and carried him to prison once again. When he arrived, some of the men said, “John there is a church where you may be able to get help”. When grandpa was released from prison he of course got high once again, boarded a bus and passed out. At the next stop, he exited and decided to walk home. Then something caught his eye, a well lit cross belonging to a church. It was the church that was described by the men in prison. Out of curiosity, he entered the church and was met by the members. They told him about a camp for addicts where they can help rehabilitate you. So out of desperation he joined the camp. He was really touched by the compassion and love that he felt from the counselors there. The camp counselors guided him spiritually and mentally to help break his addiction. Finally, something worked and life was worth living.
Although his marriage to my grandmother Naomi failed, he remarried in 1967 to a female evangelist named Anne. They both settled in Virginia Beach and opened a small church eventually growing into one of the biggest mega churches in the state of Virginia, Rock Church. My grandfather worked diligently to fulfill his prophetic dreams. In the 1980’s, he formed a rally that was held in Washington, D.C. called “Washington for Jesus” so people could pray for our nation. Also he had a desire to help rehabilitate drug addicts and help those suffering from poverty. Africa always burdened his heart, he visited there regularly. With hard work and enough support, the Rock Church of Africa (Liberia) was opened. Soon an orphanage, free medical clinic and schools would follow. Churches were built in India, Fiji, and Ghana. There are five hundred Rock Churches internationally.
My grandfather gave great advice and when problems arose he would say, “Stay positive and just deal with it”. “Never quit Michelle because God’s got something good for you.” I was devastated when my marriage ended in 2000 and he told me there was hope after a failed marriage. I work in the healthcare field and it very stressful so sometimes the patients will make you lose your religion. But he asked me, “Do you like your job”? And I replied, “Yes, but its stressful”. And he pointed out that I should have more patience because for these people it could be there last destination. “Not yours because you are young and your life has just begun.” My grandfather changed the way I viewed the world. This is living proof that everyone has a chance at redemption and proof that poverty and addiction can be overcome. Clearly, other people in the world need help besides America and my family. One day, when the time is right, I will continue his work in Africa and help build on to the great legacy he has left my family.
Vegh,Stephen."Rock Church leader praised for his local, national impact.Febuary
20,2008. November 15,2008.http://hamptonroads.com/2008/02/mourners-gather-
funeral-rock-church-bishop-john-gimenez
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