Finding God After Atheism

Knowing Cory would have the opportunity to learn about God as they shared the Gospel with the Dallas homeless, friends who attended Prestonwood invited him to join them.

"I had always had a servant heart so I started going down to feed the homeless each week," Cory said. "I wanted to help them."

But it was Cory who was helped the most.

With each visit, he began seeing a side of Christians, that he said, he didn't know existed. "They didn't throw the Bible at me and proclaim me to be a sinner as others had done," he recalls.

Looking back, he realizes "his friends were examples of Christ." And he wanted what they had—love, purpose, hope and forgiveness. Still, Cory wasn't completely convinced God existed.

However, the more he talked with his friends about God's existence, the more he realized he didn't need scientific proof; he just needed faith.

"In April 2006—for the first time in 15 years—I attended church," Cory said. "It was a 'God thing'. When I came to Prestonwood that day and opened the door, I ran into one of my best friends leaving the church."

To Cory's surprise, the friend was so glad to see him at church that he attended the Worship Service a second time that morning. During the invitation time, Cory walked down the aisle, accepting Christ as his Savior.

Afterward, members helped him plug into a Bible Fellowship class led by Minster of Missions Mobilization Joshua Rolf.

"Joshua walks for Jesus and leads others to follow!" Cory said. "He's been a remarkable mentor, teaching me how to live my life in humbleness and in gratitude, holding me accountable in times of struggle, and singing together with me in times of praise."

That summer, Joshua and Cory volunteered with H.I.S. BridgeBuilders and DallasOne for a 90 Days of Blessing outreach in the Bonton community.

Since then, he's been reaching out to the lost in Bonton.

"There is a bright light called Jesus that is just waiting for us to clean the rust away in the Bonton community," he said.

Joshua, Cory and another Prestonwood member, Kyle Pierson, began praying about expanding on the 90 Days of Blessing outreach effort. They wanted to return every Saturday. To prepare hearts there, they spent three months "prayer walking" the neighborhoods. Not long afterward, they began the Adopt-A-Block Ministry, partnering with H.I.S. BridgeBuilders to transform lives in the community.

They spent every Saturday sharing God's love on Valentine Street, mowing yards, picking up trash, doing clean-up projects, painting homes and holding cookouts. Slowly, residents began to accept them, opening up as they saw the sincerity of the Adopt-A-Block volunteers.

As more volunteers from Prestonwood and throughout the community joined them, the Adopt-A-Block Ministry expanded to Silkwood, Rochester, Choice and Parsons streets. Now, 60 volunteers turn out each week to impact lives for God. Each Thursday, Cory, Josh and Kyle lead a Bible study. Volunteers have helped build three Habitat for Humanity homes.

"The people down there know us, what we are about, and are learning that we are not prepared to back down for our Lord," Cory said. "We are consistently here every week."

Once a month, different Prestonwood Young Singles Bible fellowship classes help with various neighborhood needs. A few of the young women have begun Saturday arts and crafts classes for the children, which include Bible lessons.

Identifying Christian families on each street to cultivate the relationships during the week, ministry leaders pray that the friendships formed will soften hearts for God.

For Cory, it's just a blessing, he says, to see each life that's impacted.

Prior to the block ministry, he recalls, the boys in one family knew very little about the Lord. Now, they attend weekly children's Bible studies.

"You can see they [families and children] are growing, understanding the love of God we're showing them," he said.

As Cory praises God for opening hearts in Bonton, he's thankful, he said, that he found a home in Prestonwood.

"I don't have to walk this road alone. There is an army of 28,000 Christian soldiers with me!" Cory said.