From ‘Hilarious’ to Hero
When Resonate Global Mission missionary Joshua* first noticed Jacob’s* Facebook post 10 years ago, he saw a 14-year-old boy in Detroit standing alone.
Jacob was posting about his belief in God, and the comments from his peers were brutal. They mocked him, calling his faith “hilarious.” Growing up in a household that struggled with addiction and instability, Jacob was a lone spark trying to remain lit in a dark environment.
Joshua felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit. He messaged Jacob with a word of encouragement: “I admire your faith. If no one else wants to talk about it with you, I will.”
For the past 10 years, Joshua has walked alongside Jacob through Bible studies, both online and in person. As they studied Scripture and prayed together, Jacob moved from a fearful, “mystical” faith to one grounded firmly in Scripture.
“He used to be paralyzed by social anxiety,” Joshua recalled. “He couldn't talk to strangers or even imagine stepping into a church.”
As Jacob grew in his understanding of God’s love, his anxiety began to fade. The young man who was once mocked on Facebook eventually stood before an entire congregation to be baptized.
Today the transformation in Jacob is staggering. He isn’t just a follower; he’s a leader. Jacob is the first person in his family to have moved out to live independently. His siblings, seeing his newfound strength, have begun to change their own lives. His brother has broken free from drug addiction, and his sister now looks to Jacob as the spiritual anchor of the family.
Perhaps even more amazing is how the impact has multiplied beyond Jacob’s household. Jacob recently led a longtime atheist friend to Christ. That friend is now getting married, attending church, and building a life on a new foundation—all because Jacob refused to keep his faith to himself.
“Sometimes I tell him, ‘Jake, you’re a better missionary than I am!’” said Joshua. “He talks to everybody about Jesus. He is relentless.”
Even when Jacob worked at a McDonald's restaurant, he insisted on giving $50 a month to support Joshua’s ministry. He wanted to ensure that others could have the same mentorship he had received.
By supporting your missionaries, the Christian Reformed Church in North America is fueling a chain reaction of faith that can start with one teenager and ripple out to families, workplaces, and communities. Together we are watching examples of how God can take a “hilarious” Facebook post and turn it into a legacy of gospel transformation.
*For security reasons, only first names are used in this article.
