THE STORY OF GEORGE BURCH

grew up in a pleasant family with the best environment a kid could have. I lived with my mom and dad and sister. Occasionally other relatives stayed with us. I was provided with a home, food, clothes and love. I had happiness, but I didn't know God.

I went to church in a Hotel conference room, but it was dreadful to me. I stayed for worship and then went to Sunday school. It sucked. I did everything in my power not to go to church; faking sick to saying I don't believe in God, just to stay home and watch my cartoons. When a lack of attendance hit the church, the pastor closed it down. I cheered in my head for I never had to go to church again.

But my huge impact didn't happen until high school. When I was a freshman, I met a couple of cool kids who changed my lifestyle and welcomed me into a group called FREAKs (Friends Respecting Each other Always Kare). The one girl I hung out with in the group, her name was Melissa, she basically convinced me of the existence of a God, but not Jesus.

Then I met Erik. He was a Goth kid who was nice to me and actually wanted to hang with me. He was a Satanist though. He tried to convert me to a Satanist and I said I’d think about it.

The following Sunday, I went to a new church, Redeeming Love Gospel Church. I walked in horrified. Everyone was unsure of me inside, but on the outside, they gave the appearance that they were happy to see me. The music I heard was great, a full band played instead of my mom and dad on guitars. I liked it already. Much better than the other church. And more kids my age. After going to this church, I basically told Erik I still need to think and I didn't give my life to Jesus until I went to Mt. Zion Ministries in Utica, NY at a conference they call “THE GENERATION CONFERENCE.”

But I thought to myself; my wardrobe is all Goth, will I be accepted? And I read in the bible in 1 Samuel 16:7 “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” and that signed the deal. I could stay Goth, and have Jesus in my heart. And it's been like that for 4 years.

- George Burch

If you would like to read more about George, please visit him on the web at:
www.geocities.com/obliterating_my_demons/index.html