“I thank God for the hole I dug myself in, it made me realize my need for Jesus.” —Babis Pantazes

After growing up in a broken home filled with abuse and violence, Babis’s view of love was distorted from an early age. Arrested in 7th grade, Babis started drinking and doing drugs, spending time in and out of prison throughout his 20s. In a jail cell, Babis picked up the Bible and encountered Ezekiel 36:26 — “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…”

Sensing God’s presence, he broke down in tears, causing the guards to come running. That moment sparked a transformation that led him to surrender his life to Jesus, get baptized in prison, and find new life in Christ. After years of struggling with addiction, God set him free.

Today, Babis has been clean and sober for over 7 years. We praise God for the story of the transformative work He has done in Babis!