Story Page

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Howard McCray, 38 yrs. old and I am currently living in Duluth with my wife, Ann-Marie and our 1 year old daughter Sabrina.

I come from a pretty good family. My father was an attorney and my mother stayed at home and raised my sister and I. My family had very high hopes for me. They wanted me to either climb to the heights of my grandfather who at one time was a personal advisor for President Eisenhower or a judge like my other grandfather. By the time I was 16 years old I had started on that path to my parents dream. I was rated as a world class caliber sprinter and wanted to head to the Olympics. But the pressure to succeed and the pressure from the family was way to much for me to handle. So I stated to drink. By the time I was 19 years old I had 9 drunk driving charges, and had not spent more than a week in jail, total.

It was from these drunken stupor's that I started to experiment with all kinds of drugs. heroin, speed, yellow jackets, reds, cross tops --- you name it I did it. It got to the point that I was living trash can to trash can and then finally I picked up a gun and started to rob and burglarize homes and stores. There was even one point when my crime partner and laid in wait to kill this couple so that we could steal their money and motor home. But they never showed up.

It was from this life that I was finally caught, and sent to prison for the next five years of my life. After I was released I continued in my old way of life. By this time I was a serious IV drug user. Speed was my drug of choice and that is what I lived for. I had taken this once 153 lbs. solid and athletic body to 128 lbs. nothing but skin and bones. I looked like I was dead.

But then one night in February 1994, I wandered into a homeless shelter to get a dinner and a bed to rest and that is when I met the best friend of all…….JESUS. I heard the invitation and I fell to my knees and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I have been living for Him ever since. That was over four years ago, and with His help I have been clean from drugs and living a life filled with joy……………………...

TESTIMONY TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH