A Transformed Mind: From Gang Life to God’s Work
🗓️ Faith in Action – Week 2 Weekend Feature
A Transformed Mind: From Gang Life to God’s Work
As told by Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission
Mitch was a tough gang member in Washington state. But a violent brawl left him with a traumatic brain injury so serious that doctors said, “You’ll never work again.”
But someone believed otherwise.
His younger brother, Stephan, invited him to the All Nations Center Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wapato, where he worshiped with their mother and sister.
Mitch didn’t go willingly at first — but something happened. He kept going. Week after week.
And then, he opened a Bible.
🧠 Hope in the Word
Driven by the hope that Scripture could heal his damaged mind, Mitch grabbed hold of Romans 12:2:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” — Romans 12:2, KJBPNV
He embraced Philippians 4:8 too — learning to focus his thoughts on truth, purity, and praise.
Church leader Jeff Weijohn encouraged him:
“The Word of God promises that it will change your mind if you study it.”
And it did. Doctors were stunned. Mitch not only found mental clarity — he found a job and kept it.
✝️ From Broken to Bible Worker
As he studied more, Mitch gave his life to Jesus and was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But that wasn’t the end — it was the beginning.
He became a Bible worker, helping others learn what he had discovered. He and his wife opened their home to young people in need — with one house rule:
Everyone goes to church on Sabbath.
And just like Mitch, the lives of those young people began to change.
One of them said to Jeff:
“When you first told us about the Bible, we didn’t want to listen. But now — now we want to study it.”
💡 Faith That Redefines Identity
Jeff later said,
“People didn’t recognize Mitch anymore. He went from being hard and brain damaged to being someone God used to minister. God works through us — despite ourselves.”
💬 Reflection:
Do you believe the Bible still transforms minds — even after trauma or tragedy?
What could happen if you truly let Scripture shape your thinking?
Are there people around you (like Mitch) who need an invitation into the Word?
🎯 Key Verse:
“...Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Elohim.” — Romans 12:2, KJBPNV
“...Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Elohim.” — Romans 12:2, KJBPNV
📚 Source & Credits
Source: This story was originally published by Adventist Mission in the Inside Story section of the Adult Bible Study Guide – 3rd Quarter 2025.
Author: Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission.
👉 Visit adventistmission.org to read more testimonies.
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