Jamie Scher

When did you become a Christian and why?

After battling a 15-year heroin addiction I found myself in Sumter County Jail after stealing thousands of dollars of jewelry from my mother. I was given an opportunity to have my charges dropped if I agreed to go into a rehab program.

“God used my stubbornness to reveal who He was and who I was.”

When I heard it was a faith-based rehab, I had to really think about it. At that point I was more comfortable living with convicts than Christians. However, eventually I took the offer and got out of jail and was accepted into the program.

My intent was to use “their Bible” to show “these Christians” how gullible they were for believing such “fairy tales.” But God!

God used my stubbornness to reveal who He was and who I was, and in September 2011 I surrendered my life to Christ, and asked him to forgive me of my sins and to be Lord of my life.

How does Christianity compare to what you thought it was like before you became a believer?

It is nothing like I thought it was. Complete opposite. I thought Christianity was nothing but a bunch of holier than thou hypocrites living miserably since they couldn’t do anything fun. And that being chained to a drug was freer than religion.

When the truth was that Christianity is total freedom and life. Christianity is not about religion or rules, it’s all about a relationship with my Creator, my God, my Savior. Truth be told, I wasn’t living before, I was barely surviving and now I have the abundant life Jesus died for me to have.

What would you say to someone who is curious about biblical Christianity?

Take everything you think you know about biblical Christianity and toss it aside and focus on what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible is not just a book, it is the Living Word of God able to transform even the vilest of sinners such as myself.

How have you seen God work in your life, and how is God working in your life lately?

God has worked in tremendous ways in my life. He took a cynical rebellious sinner and robed me in the righteousness of Christ. He has turned my hateful evil heart and filled it with the love of God which is now being poured out to others. He traded my needles for a pulpit.

Additionally, I have always suffered with severe social anxiety due to my late diagnosis Autism and through God’s work in my life he has enabled me to boldly preach his Word. The only answer to explain the things he has done in my life is “BUT GOD!”.

And he is still changing my life day after day.

What is your ministry?

“The bible is not just a book, it is the Living Word of God able to transform even the vilest of sinners such as myself.”

Along with being the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Weirsdale I’m also the Director of the Christian Care Center Men’s Residence which is the same 32 week faith based program that saved my life. I am also the President of the newly founded Rise Up Ministries Inc. at First Baptist Weirsdale. We have a men’s transitional house, a clothing closet and a food pantry with more to come.

My ministry is also 2 Corinthians 1:2-4…“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

How did you get into ministry?

After graduating the program at Christian Care Center, I had a hard time finding work since all I ever did was bartend before. I was going to Bible college and applied at our children’s shelter at the Christian Care Center, and after a few months they decided to give me a try.

I was soon also called to be a youth minister at a small church close by and after a few years I was ordained. I soon became the director of the children’s shelter and after 8 years I came back to the Men’s Center as assistant director.

I was filling the pulpit at First Baptist Church of Weirsdale for over a year when they called me to be the interim pastor and after another year or so they called me to be their full-time pastor. A year later we started Rise Up Ministries Inc.

What has ministry taught you?

Ministry has taught me a few things. For one no one is too far from the reach of God’s grace. As such, I have learned that no matter how long I have been walking with the Lord I am always as desperate and dependent on his grace and mercy as I was on day one. I have also learned that God most definitely doesn’t call the qualified; instead he qualifies all who he calls.

How can people support you and your ministry?

We covet all the prayers we can get at the Christian Care Center Men’s Residence. It also supports us to share my story. Moreover, take what has been done here at the Christian Care Center and bring a portion of it to your churches. Lastly, please consider being a financial partner with Rise Up Ministries Inc. to help us continue to rebuild the lives around us.

Open Forum – Is there anything else you’d like to share?

When I first felt called into ministry many discouraged me by telling me I would never be a pastor. I’m awkward, autistic, I have tattoos, I had no knowledge and I had a weird New York accent. I tell you this to say…don’t doubt what God can do in your life and in the lives of those who you serve.