a l i v e & a w a k e

Troy came to Switch Yard through the Alternative Education program. Duane (teacher) saw Troy as one who wanted to know more about God and would direct him towards me. Troy had many situations that brought him closer to his significance in Christ.

Troy's parents divorced when he was nine. He lived in the city and took on his mom’s name. He said it was because his dad’s name was Jewish and he would get beat up for using it. He moved to Bancroft and found himself hanging out with the crowd that were not a good influence on him. He had many natural talents in selling and bartering. This proved useful in the drug scene. Troy was known for selling many drugs and did it in such a friendly, business-like manner. He also had a weakness for girls and a low impression of them. Troy confessed to having sex with any girls that would have it. He told me at one time he saw a girl who was known to have sex with anyone and brought her back to his house. After he and his friend ‘did her’ they kicked her out of bed and told her to get her own ride back into town. She would usually hitch-hike back.

Troy was always at the center of parties and would go to any that were happening. One time he took some bad drugs and had a spiritual vision. It disturbed him because it was an ‘out of body’ experience.
He and a friend were taking LSD and Troy felt like he had a ‘bad trip’. He went home early. He went to his front door to find it was locked. He banged on the door and rang the door bell. No one answered. The lights were on but no one answered. Troy went around the back of the house to see his family at the dinner table. He pounded on the window but they went on like they didn’t hear a thing. He thought his family was disciplining him for not being on time for supper so he left and went back to his friends house. He called his home from his mother was upset with Troy and asked why he didn’t come home for supper. Troy asked why they were punishing him and why they didn’t answer his banging and doorbell. They didn’t hear a thing.

He swore he saw demons hanging around the corners of his room. Even after he sobered up it left an impression on him that what he saw could possibly be real. God directed another encounter soon after that that made Him question God’s existence. He was hitch hiking and a man asked him if he believed in God. The man was Connie Bronson, a board member of Switch Yard. Troy felt that it was a very positive experience. God had him ready to hear it.

Troy came upstairs in Switch Yard from the school program to ask me the first of many theological questions of God’s existence. I felt God sitting on my shoulder whispering all the answers that seem to penetrate his heart. He would take truth and want to live it that very day. Troy wanted to read for himself what the Bible said. I gave him is very first Bible to study. He would call at all times of the night to get an understanding of something he had just read. It was exciting and challenging for me to teach things that I had never really explored myself in any deep way.

These discussions were ongoing throughout the next few weeks. Troy, Terry and I would have some group discussions as well which eventually led to bible studies in the Switch Yard, on the road, and at my apartment. Soon Troy became less and less interested in girls and the drug scene and more and more interested in the life and teachings of Jesus. I had a trip to Bahamas planned and I talked to Troy one night at Tim Hortons before I left. I asked if we could find out where he was at on the whole God thing. He said sure.
“You have learned a lot about the teachings and life of Christ.”
“Right”, he said.
“You know deep down that this Christianity stuff is probably the thing God has been calling you to. In fact a relationship with Jesus is what you know you need right?”
“Sure” he said.
“So when are you going to act on what you know to be true?”

He sat and thought for a second, than said “I am not sure if I can make this choice right now”.

I asked how he figured that
“Joe, you have been telling me many amazing and true things that are getting to me about Christ. You have showed me the where God is working and how the bible has relevant information and helpful things to deal with my life.”

“Good”, I said. I was glad he had been listening.

“But one thing,” as Troy continued, “I realize if I make this commitment you say it needs a life commitment that requires all of my life because He is Lord”.
“I still have to weigh this all out”.
I really felt he was getting what the true message of Christ would be in his life.

I left for Bahamas and enjoyed a relaxing much needed rest. I came back about two weeks later to find Troy had made the commitment. I was excited for him as he explained no great event just a decision. I was privileged enough to see the fruits of God building in a significant way. Troy was the source of most of my encouragement in those days.

I found myself not just with a guy who just became a Christian, but a fellow partner in ministry. He continued to live at his same house that grew and sold drugs to many. His life change was so dynamic that many old friends of his took notice and were quite amazed at his life style change. They thought he was on some program rather than really understanding Christ working in and through him. The ones who really wanted to know the Christ factor Troy brought to Switch Yard(funny how being a missionary is the first reaction). I would meet some of the most spiritually seeking youth in those times. A little conclusion I had at the time was the youth who seem to use certain drugs were the same youth who had a deep spiritual hunger. I would spend hours in conversations over drinks, pool, and card games about Jesus and His plan for the world. They came well read and taught me a lot about Wiccan, Buddist, and many other belief systems.

In the end they weren’t ready for the ‘Jesus’ thing but agreed there was something to His redemptive plan for their lives and even the world. Troy was right in the middle of these conversations explaining who Jesus was to him and how it was a relationship not a self improvement plan. Troy’s life was the biggest argument to a case for Jesus, not my biblical knowledge and logical reasoning.

Troy’s life was becoming more like Christ’s. He stopped all drug activity. He treated women with respect and helped others who mistreated girls to view things a different way. His selling ability became a selling of Christ. Not pushing, he was just quick and excited to see the work of Christ and join Him.

Troy, Terry, and I started a bible study together which really dove into a study called “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. He became a master of seeing where God is and joining him. Some of the most amazing things about Jesus was his humanity. He loved the fact that God was not distant but near and it started with Jesus. He wanted to walk around town wearing a shirt saying “Jesus took a shit too!” I convinced him that even though the truth about the incarnation was amazing but that was probably not the best way to share it.

Many times he would come to me and talk about how he saw Christ working at a party he was at the night before. He eventually became a drop-in volunteer who would excitedly tell me about the ‘Christ’ moments in Switch Yard. Troy became one of my best volunteers who was always dependable and aware. He assisted in maintenance, snacks, and supervision. I eventually needed a break every once and awhile during a shift and he was one of those guys who would give me an hour off. I also remember him being the responsible overseer for the weekend while I spoke at a retreat in Sault Ste Marie.

He went to Muskoka Woods to continue his growth. He became good friends with a mentor of mine named John Macauley. It was there Troy understood Christian community and deeper spiritual growth as vital to his development in his relationship to Christ. He eventually left the Bancroft area and I would try to visit with him as much as possible. We always would spend hours catching up and sharing how God was giving new insights, challenges and growth in our lives.

He further ran a drop-in skatepark  for Youth for Christ. In those years God built many foundational ministry challenges and deeper questions about himself. God always has had a grip on his life no matter where he has lived. It is always clear to the people around him about in any new area that he has a significant relationship with Jesus.