Before I enrolled at Greater Lansing Adventist School (GLAS), I was really lost in life. I was into gangs, doing drugs, and was in and out of court on a yearly basis. I got into trouble with the cops, and my life, at the age of 15, was going nowhere really fast.

An East Lansing Church member, Jesusa Vasquez, who worked with my mother, told her about this great school that she should look into for me. She told her that it was a Christian school and that it would be just what I needed.

When I first heard about the school, I thought that they would not accept me, since I had countless suspensions from other schools and a police record. On top of that, my previous grades were a mess. I felt hopeless, and I thought that I would never make it past the tenth grade.

I am so glad that GLAS accepted me and helped me change all of that. They have shown me that with God all things are possible. Since day one, I was amazed at how friendly and devoted all of the teachers were toward me and by how much they helped me. I really believe I was involved in a life-changing experience. When I first started, I knew nothing about math, music, art, English, or Bible. This school introduced me to God and helped me improve academically beyond a point I didn't think was possible. I really struggled with math, but thanks to my teacher, Matt Kohls, I know more than ever before.

I struggled a lot in music class, but thanks to my teacher, Megan Allen, and my classmates, I really improved. I never knew how to read music, and I thought it was an impossible task. Now I can read music just fine, without asking for any help.

My teacher, John Studley, helped me in art class. I did things I never thought I could do. I can actually paint a picture on canvas from scratch and have it look decent!

Chad Bernard, GLAS principal, had my back since I first started. He motivated me to read my Bible, and he really went the extra mile to help me. He introduced me to the Church, and made me into a man that I never thought I could be. I am really thankful to GLAS and everything it has done for me. I'm also thankful for the way the staff treated me, actually seeing something in me that I didn't even know was there.

Throughout my life, all I ever knew were the streets, and the only things I really cared about were gangs, money, and myself. This school helped me break free of that cycle. Now I am able to clearly see that God loves me and that He has been protecting me all along. I thank God for being alive and for giving me such a wonderful school and church. I honestly look at them as my family. It is a miracle how God has saved me and how He has given me a wonderful way out.

Javier Jimenez completed ninth grade last May. On May 19, Javier was baptized at the Lansing Church. He is currently giving Bible studies to another individual. Javier hopes to attend Great Lakes Adventist Academy this fall. He will receive a $100 scholarship, since his story was selected for publication.