This past weekend, an unlikely convert’s story of coming to faith in Jesus went viral on Facebook. Carl Sartor, 35, shared about how he went from being a Satanist to being baptized this past November.
“I’ve never been a spiritual person. I believed when you die, you [were] dead. That was it. I’ve been running from God since I was about 5. I would argue to you tooth and nail that he did not exist,” Sartor said in the Facebook post on Sunday evening, which featured an image of Sartor wearing a shirt that said “Saved by Satan” alongside a picture of his baptism.
“I was living in a vicious cycle of drugs and alcohol. I had a severe anger problem. I blamed everyone and everything. I also blamed God. I decided to try something different after all else [had] failed,” Sartor continued. “I got baptized in November, and I felt whole for the first time in my life.”
Sartor shared with CBN News that he spent 15 years as an atheist, followed by five years as a Satanist. He had struggled with meth addiction and mental health issues for many years, and he said that he hit rock bottom in 2021.
After a failed suicide attempt, Sartor found himself, for the first time, with an open mind about Jesus. Then, he decided to attend a service at Cross Church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The church’s pastor, Rick Walters, invited him nearly a year earlier.
According to Walters, Sartor was so overcome during worship music that he was ready to be baptized before the sermon began.
“Today, he’s a worshipper. Today, he’s a believer. Today, he’s my brother in Christ,” Walters said.
Sartor said in his Facebook post, “For the first time in my life, I had a spiritual experience. God is real, and I will continue to walk this path beside him. By His grace, I’m by far the best version of me I have ever been.”
“My God is an awesome God, and I pray that everyone gets to experience his love as I have,” Sartor concluded.
Sartor’s Facebook post has received an outpouring of support and celebration.
“Amen, Brother. I’m so happy you found God!!! I have known you for many years and never thought I’d see you like you are now. I’m praising God. We will be side by side in Heaven one day,” one friend said.
Another commented, “Bro, God saved me from a 15-year addiction to drugs, crack, heroin, anything I could get my hands on. I was homeless, I stole, even spent 2 1/2 years in prison. I cried out to Jesus, and He saved me! So thankful to God that he never gave up on me…and so thankful that You are now a part of the family of God! It’s an honor to call you a brother in Christ! Blessings, my friend!”
Even people who had never met Sartor celebrated with him. One said, “I am sorry, but I couldn’t help writing in your post as I am a complete stranger to you, but now brothers saved by the grace of God in Christ! What an amazing testimony!!! You’re one more example that God’s love is persistent and long-suffering [and] He runs towards the prodigals!”
Thanks
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