From Killing Rage to Peace | THIS IS MY STORY | NAIM

Summary

Doug, a member of the Pagan First Nations, shares his journey of overcoming personal trauma, faith struggles, and a life shaped by addiction and near-death experiences. Raised by his grandparents after abandonment by his parents, he witnessed deep family tragedies and wrestled with anger and forgiveness. Eventually, Doug turned to faith, found redemption, and committed to serving the Lord. Through his recovery, marriage, and ministry, Doug transformed into a pastor, dedicated to helping others in his community, especially those battling addiction, while embracing a life rooted in Christ.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Doug is from the Pagan First Nations and has struggled with his identity, growing up with abandonment issues after his mother left his father.
• 🍂 His father was an abusive alcoholic with trauma from serving in the Vietnam era, leading to a dysfunctional family environment.
• 🙏 Doug was introduced to the Christian faith at a young age by his grandparents, although he didn’t fully embrace it early on.
• 💔 As a child, Doug witnessed a traumatic event where his aunt was killed, leading him to almost commit violence in retaliation, but he was stopped by a powerful feeling of restraint.
• 🤲 Doug's grandfather, despite the tragedy, preached forgiveness, quoting the Bible and urging the family to forgive the man who took their loved one.
• 🍺 Throughout his life, Doug battled with alcoholism while also holding onto his faith, leading to a deep internal struggle.
• 💥 After surviving a serious accident, Doug had a spiritual awakening in a hospital chapel, where he committed to living his life for God and vowed to make changes, including getting married to his partner Laura.
• 📖 Doug began reading the Bible regularly with Laura, which deepened both of their spiritual journeys and strengthened their relationship.
• ⛪ Doug became more involved in his church, eventually taking on leadership roles like preaching and later being ordained as a pastor on July 15th.
• ❤️ Doug is passionate about helping others, especially those struggling with addiction, and feels called to serve his community with a heart full of conviction and love for Christ.

Q & A

What was Doug's early childhood experience like?

Doug had a difficult early childhood. His parents had a dysfunctional relationship, his father was an abusive alcoholic, and his mother left when Doug was about 3 and a half years old. He was raised by his grandparents and dealt with abandonment issues.

How did Doug’s grandfather influence his early spiritual development?

Doug’s grandfather introduced him to the Lord at a very young age. Even though Doug was physically present in church, sitting in the front row, his heart wasn't fully engaged at that time.

What traumatic event did Doug witness in his youth involving his aunt?

Doug witnessed the aftermath of a tragic incident where his aunt was killed by her husband. He found her in a bedroom and later encountered the husband sitting outside. This event deeply impacted Doug, who contemplated retaliation but was stopped by what he believed was divine intervention.

How did Doug's grandfather demonstrate forgiveness after the family tragedy?

Despite the tragedy, Doug's grandfather forgave the man who took his daughter’s life. He emphasized that the Bible teaches forgiveness and asked the family to forgive as well, stating that they needed to forgive if they wanted to be forgiven by God.

How did Doug struggle with balancing his faith and personal vices?

Throughout his life, Doug struggled with his faith, often balancing between a life of drinking (he mentions having 'one hand on a Bible and the other on a bottle of Jack Daniels') and seeking spiritual fulfillment.

What life-changing event led Doug to fully commit to his faith?

Doug was involved in a car crash where he was severely injured, which led him to a moment of reflection in a hospital chapel. There, he prayed, asking God for forgiveness and for help in becoming the man God wanted him to be. This moment marked the beginning of his full commitment to faith.

What decision did Doug make regarding his relationship with Laura after his spiritual experience?

After his spiritual awakening, Doug realized he and Laura weren’t living right in God’s eyes, so he asked her to marry him. He committed to serving the Lord whether she accepted or not, but she agreed, and they got married.

How did Doug's wife, Laura, influence his spiritual journey after their marriage?

Laura, who came from a strong traditional background, showed interest in Doug's spiritual growth by asking to read the Bible together. They started reading the Bible from the beginning, and Doug saw this as a significant moment in both their spiritual journeys.

How did Doug become a pastor, and what role did service play in his recovery?

Doug’s journey to becoming a pastor started with small acts of service, like becoming the janitor and caretaker for his church. Over time, he was asked to share messages, and eventually, the church decided to ordain him as their pastor on July 15th. Serving the church played a crucial role in his recovery and spiritual growth.

What is Doug’s message to others regarding hope and salvation?

Doug believes that despite the generational hurt in his community, there is still hope through the blood of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that forgiveness and salvation are possible through Christ, and his mission is to reach out to people struggling with addictions and share the message of hope and redemption.