NORMAN VASQUEZ

» Back to Home Page

» Back to Staff page
NORMAN VASQUEZ

NORMAN VASQUEZ, Associate Pastor


At 19 years of age, I was a non-practicing Catholic living in a small apartment in San Diego. One night I received a knock on my door and standing there was a man named Gil who attended a local church behind my complex. He handed me a tract and invited me to church. This led to several lunches where we had Bible studies and discussed issues of faith. After a short time I got to know Gil and his family and noticed he was certainly different than any other “religious” person I had ever met. He was sincere about living for Christ at all times; his speech and actions matched his beliefs. I soon grew tired of meeting with him though and avoided him if possible. If the phone rang and I was not expecting a call, I would not answer. If there was a knock on the door, I purposely did not open it fearing it was Gil.


Finally on July 11th 1989, Gil called again and asked to meet with me. As I held the receiver, my mind was yelling “no” but inexplicably my mouth uttered “yes” and he picked me up 20 minutes later. He brought a friend with him named Malcolm and we went back to their church library and opened up the Bible. This time things were different. As he and Malcolm shared Scripture, thoughts of hell came to mind. I believed that place existed and knew I deserved to go there based on being a sinner who frequently demonstrated a sinful lifestyle. As the study went on, I began picturing in my mind life as an obstacle course, with me overcoming obstacles to gain entrance into heaven. The obstacles were “good works” such as being kind to people, helping old ladies cross streets, and feeding the homeless. I envisioned myself doing enough good acts that when I die, I would barely slide under the tag of God and make it home into heaven safely. These thoughts actually went through my mind.


As the night grew late, Gil asked if I wanted to pray before we closed. I never prayed in front of anyone before so I declined. As he then Malcolm prayed I felt what seemed like an overwhelming weight of sin that was keeping me from having a right relationship with God. Once Malcolm finished I began praying out loud confessing many sins that came to remembrance – I asked God to forgive me for all the pain I caused Him, my parents, family, and friends. As I sat there confessing and weeping, I felt the burden of sin being lifted off and upon opening my eyes I knew I was delivered from sin and saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.