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ROBERT RODRIGUEZ - BOUNDARY BREAKERS OUTREACH PASTOR

I grew up in California, running the streets, caught up in the gang lifestyle. At the age of 16, I started going in and out of juvenile hall and later ended up in prison. At the age of 24, I was released from prison after serving a seven year sentence. Later, in Arizona, I got married while still in prison and began to turn my life around. In my neighborhood, some older ex-gang members had been telling me about Jesus and how he could set me free from gang life. At age 28, after almost going back to prison again, I finally broke down and turned my life over to Jesus.

I am now the pastor of a church in Maryvale, AZ, and I travel as an evangelist to schools, juvenile hall, and churches. I share my story with the youth of Arizona, telling them how Jesus changed me and how I became a soldier for God, rather than a soldier for gangs and drugs. I have received two awards from the Department of Corrections for my commitment to teaching the youth in prison to stay out of gangs and to form goals for their lives. In 1999, I released a Christian rap CD. In 2000 I started a Christian hip hop radio show that aired for four years, reaching thousands of inmates and local citizens with the message of Jesus. I have shared the stage with professional athletes, and a number of singers and rappers. My albums have helped reach thousands of troubled teens around the world and have helped change their lives through the message the Lord has given me. As a pastor, I continue to do monthly hip hop outreaches in the projects and areas of Phoenix that have been hit hard by crime.

Each Christmas we pass out toys to kids in the projects who otherwise might not get Christmas presents. On Thanksgiving we collect as many turkeys as we can and distribute them to less fortunate families. We are also opening up a boxing gym in Maryvale and hope to soon acquire a building to run programs for troubled teens and young mothers who need guidance and direction in their lives.

I have many more goals beyond the things I have already done, and I plan on pursuing them and accomplishing them with the help of God and my wife. I have four children, who are all involved with music and who travel with me to assist me with my events.

I hope that reading my testimony has blessed you and encourages you to go for your goals to help those in need.