Maggie responded to an advertisement placed in a local paper, under the heading: “Seeking friends”. This man had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, along with gang involvement. However, she made the misguided mistake of trying to help this man overcome his troubled life. 

During this time, she was raped by the said man, and Jason was conceived. After Jason was born his mum tried to kill him on more than one occasion. To Maggie, this child was a reminder of the rape… keep in mind her brain damage.

Jason’s home, full of violence and volatility, caused an atmosphere whereby he was petrified as a child. Result – spending much of his childhood with grandparents and countless visitations to psychiatrists. His first visit at 33 months old… yes, thirty-three months old.

Jason left “home” a broken youth. Physically and emotionally abused from a life full of trauma, he spent the next fifteen years searching for a connection, a place in the world, a place he could feel of worth.

Sadly, this only resulted in more destruction in his life, and those he associated with. None the less, in those early years he had a small light that shone. He became a world class inline speed skater. He won multiple national championships, representing New Zealand on the international stage for a period of six years. Jason was a gifted athlete, playing soccer in New Zealand’s National Youth League, winning swimming competitions, triathlons, the list goes on. This provided an avenue of survival, as he continued to battle with the scars of his childhood. Sport taught him discipline, which became evident later in his life.

Jason’s school life was not much better than his home life. Although talented academically, he was a disruptive child, constantly causing chaos in class. He was badly bullied and would miss school for weeks at a time… not the best situation for a young man.

He left school at sixteen years, entering a life of depression, full of anxiety and anger. He gave up on his skating at seventeen years, and indulged in drinking and partying to excess. 

This actually led him in trying to build a music career. In pursuit of this goal, Jason travelled to Hollywood, where he recorded music with world class producers. Desperate to please, succeed and belong, Jason found himself engulfed in a world of darkness, never experienced before.

He found himself mixing in the occult, where he was following some of the most prominent leaders of the time. It almost cost him everything, including his life.

By 2018, Jason’s life had completely collapsed, he had actually gone from bad to worse. [An understatement]. Having lost all hope, he checked himself into a psychiatric ward, where he celebrated his 30th birthday in rehab. 

Now for the exciting part… another journey begins.

During this time, Jason began to read an instruction book on life and how best to deal with the challenges of life. He had plenty, so it needed to be a good book… it needed to hold good news for this young man.

He began to read the bible. From there everything, and we mean everything changed.

Result: Jason is now unrecognisable as a person, compared to his former life. 

Through God’s amazing grace, Jason has overcome the destructive habits, and behaviours that had him chained to a position devoid of hope and life.

Finding life, and hope… Jason no longer smokes, drinks, uses drugs, engages in very, very unhealthy sexual practices, gambling and swearing. Just listing the obvious ones, there are so many more.

He is now happily married to a young lady, that walked by his side through much of his young life. Ask her if she can see a difference…

Jason is now focused on sharing his life story to give hope to those who are struggling. To show through experience, not just theory, that people can have hope. They can change, they can lead fulfilling lives in this very challenging world.

Jason wants to inspire others to take a healthy accountability for their future, rather than remaining a victim of the past.

Much of what takes place in our lives, may not have been our fault or in our control. However, we can all take responsibility for the life we live today – defining our tomorrow

Earlier, I mentioned how discipline, learnt in the sporting arena would play a part in Jason’s later life. Well, this is that time. 

Jason has dedicated these last four years to his Creator and Saviour Yeshua. He has been baptised, and walks according to the instructions found in the bible… instructions that saved his life and continue to shape it. 

As said at the beginning: A story worth telling and one that should be heard… giving hope to those that seek it.

Under His Wings,

Messianic Rabbi Philip Hammond.