Pastor helps former gang member turn his life around

Jacob Brown was a teenager that looked like any other teen, but lived a life on the streets as a gang member that was much different. All of that changed, however, when Brown decided to turn his life around, and made the decision to head to school in hopes of one day becoming a minister.
That is when Pastor George Westlake III said he felt he had to do something if Brown was willing to turn his life around.
Westlake said it was one of those times he felt a higher power telling him to help out and do something. So when he promised to help Brown get through school and find a new start to life, he realized there was no backing out.
“I knew how he was living. I didn’t know the depth of it. Because we had made a commitment to him, I made a commitment to him, at a very divine moment in his life that we would support him,” said Westlake.
Now entering his senior year, Brown still had bills from his freshman year to pay off that the church and its members are hoping to help out with.
“I hadn’t thought of it before and I knew I had to do it,” said Westlake.
Westlake said it all came to him one day when he decided to ask for contributions, and offered in return a huge prize.
“I’m giving away my vehicle. It’s a 2007 Hummer. It’s a few years old but it is immaculate. Not a bad vehicle for the price. I am going to miss the vehicle. It’s been good to me, no problems. It’s a nice looking vehicle,” said Westlake.
But Pastor Westlake said it would be worth missing his vehicle in hopes of bringing a congregation closer together, and hopefully change someone’s future.
“A guy that nobody expected would go to college, and when he went they did not think he would survive there. Thought he would get in a fight the first week and get kicked out, but he has made it through,” said Westlake.
You don’t have to be a member of the church to be a part of this. The drawing will end on Wednesday at five p.m. If you would like to take part go to Sheffield Life Center, which is off of Winner Road, and place a $30 contribution to be entered.