Some of you may remember Pastor Walter’s story from years ago. But just as God continues His transformative work in our lives, Walter’s testimony has deepened and grown more powerful with time.

Walter’s journey began at age 14, when a party, some beer, and cocaine started him down a path that would eventually lead to heroin addiction. Despite being raised in a Christian home, Walter found himself spiraling into a darkness that threatened to destroy everything he held dear.

While at Teen Challenge, Walter experienced a life-changing moment during a Spiritual Emphasis week when David Wilkerson spoke. He recalls, “David spoke on the Zadok and Abiathar priesthood ... At the end of the message, he gave an altar call for those who wanted to be Zadok priests to come forward. I ran to the altar, got on my knees, and cried out to God, ‘Lord, I want to be a Zadok priest.’ That was a life-changing moment. I felt at that point I was fully surrendered to the Lord.”

Walter had planned to return to his career as a produce salesman after graduation. But God had different plans. Eleven months into the program, Walter felt called to do an internship at San Diego Teen Challenge. This was the beginning of Walter’s journey into full-time ministry.

After several divine appointments and circumstances, Walter opened New Creations men’s facility in Imperial Valley on April 15, 1994. Two years later, they launched a women’s facility. They followed Teen Challenge’s curriculum, and years later, hundreds and hundreds of men and women have discovered who God created them to be.

In 1997, while driving down Orange Avenue in El Centro, Walter noticed the abandoned Catholic church where he was raised. The last time he was in the building was for his little brother’s funeral after a car accident. That tragedy was part of what sent Walter down the dark path of addiction.As he pulled into the parking lot, he found a syringe by his foot. God spoke to his heart at that moment: There would be a church here. Christ Community Church was born through remarkable provision, beginning with 401 people at the first service without any advertising.

The church continued to grow, eventually requiring multiple services and locations. Today, they’ve planted several campuses throughout Imperial Valley, including three Spanish-speaking churches. What began as one man’s journey to recovery has blossomed into a multi-faceted ministry reaching thousands.

But God wasn’t finished writing Walter’s story. In August 2024, Walter received devastating news: He had cancer.

“When I was suffering, I drew closer to the Lord than I’d ever drawn in my life. My heart was being transformed, and I felt like the Holy Spirit was doing more work in my life than at any other time.” The experience brought Walter to a point of reflection, causing him to reprioritize his life and appreciate even the smallest blessings. “Every blessing from the Lord meant so much to me, even the little things. Things that you don’t notice or you take for granted became big things in my life.” Today, Walter’s prognosis is good, and his testimony has only grown more powerful. His life exemplifies the complete restoration that only Christ can bring.

Your gift today can be the turning point in someone’s life. Every dollar you give helps rescue men and women trapped in addiction, offering them real hope and a path to lasting transformation. Will you join us in this life-changing mission? Give today—because the decision you make right now could mean freedom for someone tomorrow.