"Running From God" - Interview w/ Vinny De Leon

"This will be your last time!" is the statement Bert hears spoken in his mind on the day he ends up committing a crime that will eventually land him behind bars with a 40 year sentence.  Bert grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the North side of Chicago. He grew up in a loving home, with mom and dad in the picture. One day he sees his older brother come home after getting into a physical altercation with a stab wound to his head. After this incident Bert feels compelled to get involved into the lifestyle his older brother is in. He joins the same gang and the life of violence begins. At a young age death and destruction become the norm. In the 1990's the streets of Chicago were very violent. In response to some of his friends being murdered he goes and he retaliates. A young man ends up losing his life. There at the hospital investigating the crime is a police officer by the name of Marco David. He is the one that begins the investigation that will eventually lead Bert behind bars. Approximately 10 years into his prison sentence, Bert's dad asks him to add Marco David to his visitor list. He resists at first, because he recognizes that name from his police report, as one of the officers that helped place him behind bars. Bert eventually allows Marco to come visit him. One reason being is that Marco is also a Pastor at a church Bert's parents attend. On the first visit Marco feels compelled to share a word with Bert, something he feels that the LORD is leading him to share with him. He tells him, he doesn't know what this means, but he wants  Bert to know that God is saying to him, "This will be your last time!"
Tune in to hear how the life of a criminal, a cop and a pastor intersect and lead to a story of redemption like no other.



Redeemed: The Rebirth of a Latin King (book)

(Testimonial video) https://vimeo.com/23845
141

https://midwest.church/
https://www.khnm.net
https://koinoniahouse.org/programs/radical-time-out

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This is an exclusive podcast interview with Chicago's very own David Ayala. David, along with his cousin Jimmy Soto, were recently exonerated after serving over 42 years in prison for a crime they didn't commit. They made history by becoming Illinois longest serving prison inmates to be then exonerated.
You will hear how I met David just last week by a chance encounter at a tattoo removal place. We started talking and were able to connect and set up this podcast interview a week later.
David grew up on the southwest side of Chicago in a neighborhood called "Little Village", "La Villita" or 26th street.  You will hear him share his life story. From the fun times running around as a little kid, skitching on the back of cars in the winter, jumping from one garage roof to another for fun in in the summer, to then becoming one of Chicago's most notorious figures.
You will get an in-depth personal view of this man, his thoughts, emotions, and experiences. You will hear what things helped him remain hopeful, persevere and never give up despite having a life sentence without the possibility of parole. This man's story is a great example of the human will to survive and how faith can help you thrive in the harshest of situations one can encounter in this life.

Please consider donating to David Ayala's GoFundMe page:
https://gofund.me/70eba86b

You can contact David Ayala via email
heydavid1214@gmail.com

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Today we do our first ever “on the road” in person podcast interview. Thanks to a generous donation from a co-worker of mine, I was able to purchase equipment to make this podcast possible. I traveled to Wheaton, Illinois to meet with Pastor Manny Mill from “Koinonia House National Ministries” at his home.

Pastor Manny’s life begins back in Cuba where as a young kid he sees Fidel Castro come into power. His family is finally able to flee Cuba after many years and they end up in Spain. A couple of years later they make their way to the United States and land in New Jersey. As a young man Manny begins to accomplish the “American Dream.” He gains the big three, "power, sex and money." Because of a shady business deal he finds himself being investigated by the F.B.I.  He flees the country and ends up in Venezuela. While on the run in Venezuela, his mother becomes a born-again Christian and begins to pray for her son Manny.  Through a series of events God grabs a hold of Manny and he decides to return back to the United States to face the music. He gets sentenced to three years behind bars. It is in prison that God begins to transform Manny's life and where the journey to the work he is doing today begins. You will be encouraged, challenged and prompted into action by this man's radical story of redemption.

“The Mission of Koinonia House® National Ministries (KHNM) is to equip the local church to receive Christian inmates released from prison to be integrated into the Church, the workplace, and society through biblical discipleship”

There are two primary avenues through which KHNM seeks to assure that Christian neighbors coming out of prison are met at the prison gate: assist churches, groups or individuals in setting up a post-prison ministry discipleship home for Christians coming out of prison; equipping local churches to prepare to receive a Christian neighbor – matching at least one ex-prisoner to one local church.

https://www.khnm.net
https://koinoniahouse.org/programs/radical-time-out

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In this podcast episode Rob Decker joins me all the way from Colorado Springs, Colorado.  After years of abuse, addiction, a desperate search for praise and approval, and living in unbearable pain and isolation, Rob Decker reached a breaking point that drove him to take drastic measures. After a failed sui--de attempt and a friend not giving up on him, Rob woke up alive with a new lease on life.
Rob has dedicated his life to helping others and taking the stigma out of recovery. He is very passionate about sharing his testimony with others and helping them break the chains of addiction through support and mentorship. He knows everyone is capable of turning their life around and he is eager to be a part of that process. He and his wife have three children and they reside in Colorado.

https://RiseAsLions.Org
Rob Decker FB
Decker_Rob IG
https://RobDeckerSpeaks.Com
Rise As Lions IG & FB

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Happy New Year 2024! This is our first podcast episode release of this new year. God bless you and your families, thank you very much for the continual support.
On this episode you will hear the first ever guest host on the Wrong To Strong Chicago Podcast. Julio Mercado steps into the studio to interview REZUM, a multi genre Christian artist. Listen to REZUM share about his life growing up with his mom in Oklahoma and traveling to see his father in Illinois. This back and forth has it's up and downs and he finds himself getting into trouble at an early age. Alcohol, drugs and physical violence becomes his M.O.  This ends up landing him in jail on few different occasions. He ends up receiving probation for one such incident and then a few months later he ends up violating that probation on a similar charge. Behind bars, he begins to see God move in his life. At first things look like they are coincidences as he begins to see and receive answers to his prayers. He keeps trying to outrun God but finds himself running back into Him. Growing up in family of musicians and song writers, he has been writing songs since he was twelve. He now discovers that this is a God given gift, and that God is after him, to help turn his life around and to use his music to reach many for the Kingdom.

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rezummusic

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@REZUM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DCtHJqKqDMsCjln1vuKHs?si=PDWTd2reQjaNr0Y7UWgWQA

 iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rezum/1511596550

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austin.szumigalski?mibextid=LQQJ4d

 IG: https://www.instagram.com/rezummusic

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On October 26th, 2004 I had an encounter with God that changed my life forever. That day started me on a journey that ultimately leads to why it is I'm hosting this podcast today. My life went from darkness to light and from death to life. This is my story.

I had initially released this podcast interview a year ago in two parts. The episodes titled "Growing Up In Pilsen" part 1 and part 2. I decided to re-release this interview today in it's entirety. On here, my wife Ann interviews me on what it was like growing up in Pilsen, on the south west side of Chicago. From a strong family oriented upbringing, to experiencing tragedy and loss. Which led to a life of gangs, drugs, imprisonment and ultimately redemption. The cool part of this interview is that you get hear how God worked in the life of my wife as well and how ultimately she is the one that helps lead me to him.  You get to hear certain life events explained through two different lenses and perspectives. A few people shared with me that they experienced numerous emotions listening to our story. I pray that it blesses you.

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There comes a time in one's life when God uses someone to speak into your life, encourage you, especially at a time when no one else does. Hassan Anderson played such a role in the life of JC Almanza, who is the founder of "Wrong To Strong." According to JC, Hassan was the first person to ever believe in his dream and in his vision. Interestingly enough, Hassan was JC's parole officer at the time. 
Growing up in a bad part of New Jersey had exposed Hassan to crime, violence and murders at a very young age. He also remembers times when the only thing in the fridge was a ketchup bottle and he had to go ask the neighbors for some food for him and his sisters. Though his mom and dad were never together, his dad emphasized the importance of him getting an education. He ends up getting a scholarship and playing football at Rutgers. But through a series of bad choices he finds himself catching a criminal case at that time. Tune in to hear how his story plays a huge role in what "Wrong To Strong" is doing today through it's various platforms, including this podcast.

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This podcast episode was recorded on wife's podcast called "Her Scars Tell A Story." If you haven't done so yet please go take a listen to it.  She wanted to record a special Thanksgiving episode, so I joined her as a guest to discuss the importance of living a life full of gratitude and thankfulness.  We talk about  being thankful to God for who He is and all the blessings He gives to us.  As believers , we are often urged throughout scripture to give thanks but I'll be the first to admit that my initial response in troubling times isn't one of thanksgiving. I'm learning that even in difficult and trying times God is there leading us and guiding us through such difficulties.  He keeps us and gives us the strength to keep going and seeking Him. Tune in to hear a message of hope that is much needed in this season.

https://herscarstellastory.buzzsprout.com
Instagram: @herscarstellastory
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Email: herscarstellastory@gmail.com

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I was joined in studio by Jose Rodriguez for this weeks podcast interview. Jose grew up in the West Englewood neighborhood on the southside of Chicago. Being Hispanic and growing up in a predominantly African American neighborhood was rough for him and his siblings. His parents enrolled him in a different neighborhood school to try to make it better for them, but this led him into even more trouble. Street life becomes the norm and he finds himself being able to maneuver through the various neighborhoods and various gangs he encounters. He befriends some rival gang members and they are able to coincide respectfully at times and vouch for one another. Work, party life and violence is his routine. One day as he is kicking back watching T.V. his sister tells him, "God loves you, and He's coming for you!" This statement grabs his attention. He asks himself, "Is God going to kill me?" Little does he know, that the path he would find himself on, a path of crime and drug dealing, would lead him to an encounter with the One who was coming after him. Tune in to hear this man's story of redemption.

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From Colorado all the way back to Chicago! I had the opportunity to connect with Shawn Rae, for the first time in person.  I picked him up from Ohare airport while being followed & mean mugged by airport police. This is how our day started LOL. We also had Julio Mercado join us in the studio for the recording of this podcast episode. 
On here Shawn shares how he ended up connecting with "Wrong To Strong " and about the ministry work he is doing for them today.  Join in on our conversation as we discuss various topics including how growing up in Chicago shaped us and molded us into the men we are today. Listen to battles we've fought, lessons we learned and to the joy we are experiencing today. Julio said it best when he said, "Things are not falling apart, they are falling into place!"

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