From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Transformation within the Christians In Action Program

Post By

Ryan Sanchez

Imagine being a 7th grader filled with confusion, burdened by a past you don’t understand, and petrified by the circumstances that have shaped your life. The confusion and anxiety turn into anger and rage because you don’t know how else to release it. Locked away in your room, you feel “safe” from your emotions and experiences. You’ve learned not to trust anyone, convinced that no one would understand or care about what you carry inside.

One day, you find yourself signing up for a program—You’re not looking for help or healing; you’re just trying to cut class, But what starts as an escape turns into something you never expected: a lifeline. From the first moment, you feel something different. The people there—strangers at first—seem to care about your highs and your lows. Slowly, over weeks and months, they become more than mentors. They become your family.

As you start to trust them, you notice something remarkable: these adults have had struggles like yours. Their compassion and kindness are genuine, and you begin to ask questions. Why do they care? What makes them so different? They tell you it’s because of the love of God they’ve experienced and the sacrifice of Jesus. Whatever you admire in them is a reflection of God’s love and power in His people.

You keep coming back, drawn by the warmth and safety you feel. The walls around your heart begin to crumble. You start to talk, to share your pain, and to listen. The rage and chaos that once consumed you give way to peace. You realize that God’s light can shine through even the darkest corners of your life.

There’s one conversation you’ll never forget. It’s about God’s provision and the anxieties we carry. You admit something that’s hard to say out loud: the void in your life is your father. But then you add something even more profound: “God sent you, Ryan to help meet that need.” For the first time, you begin to see that God places people in your life for a reason, and through them, He shows His love.

And then one day, you pray a prayer that changes everything. Your mother is sick, and you ask God to heal her. Days pass, and you see the answer to that prayer unfold before your eyes. Your mother starts to get better. In that moment, all the pieces fall into place—you know God is real. Not just because of what people say, but because you’ve experienced His power in your own life.

Now, as an 8th grader, you stand on the other side of this journey with a heart that has been softened and a faith that is growing. The boy who once locked himself away in his room now prays daily—not just for himself, but for his family, his relationships, and the people who have walked alongside him. The boy who thought no one would listen now speaks with confidence, knowing he is supported and loved.

Your journey isn’t finished, but it’s clear that God has been with you every step of the way. From the moment you walked through those doors, to the day you surrendered your life to Christ, to the prayers you see answered, your story is a testimony to the power of love, faith, and the God who heals, restores, and transforms.