PLANO, Texas, Sept. 12, 2024 — In the new White Chair Film, “Breaking the Surface,” released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Ministry Leader DJ Hernandez unpacks his story, sharing how his community helped him overcome the internal battle of his life, leading him to discover his true identity and the power of faith-filled friendships.
Growing up in Portland, a “very secular city,” DJ Hernandez found himself surrounded by many nonreligious people during his developmental years. Yet, out of his faith-filled upbringing, DJ learned the value of caring friendships and family in community from a young age. This foundation ultimately influenced his decision to seek out a group of likeminded friends when he later transferred from private school to public high school. An answered prayer, DJ discovered a loving community that welcomed him in immediately.
“We ended up starting a club, a Christian club at our school,” DJ shares. “The first week, it was just the five of us…Next, there was [around] 10…By the end of the first month, there [were] 60 to 70 students.”
However, after DJ and his close friends graduated high school, their tight-knit group organically dissolved. Soon thereafter, he found himself surrounded by alternate influences in college. New acquaintances introduced new temptations, inviting DJ into a lifestyle of parties, drugs and alcohol.
“It was my first time ever getting drunk, and from that point [on], over the next few months, it was basically every single weekend…going out, partying, drinking, smoking weed,” confesses DJ. “I would end up doing that Saturday night, and then Sunday night, I’d be back at church, just…faking it.”
As DJ slipped further into self-isolation, away from true friends and family who cared about him, he found himself in an all-time-low in the middle of the pandemic. One evening at a party, he concluded that he wanted to take his own life.
In his desperation, DJ called a caring Christian friend. The result was an entire community of individuals who came to his rescue. These timely friends encouraged DJ as he reentered his journey of faith, introducing him to a house church group, where he found the love, support and accountability he’d been searching for all along—as well as an unexpected gift!
Today, DJ leads in ministry within the very community group that came to his rescue, revealing how God can bring the hope of authentic friendships to the most isolated individuals, ushering full-circle freedom and setting an example of family for others.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit https://www.iamsecond.com/
To learn more about taking next steps in your own spiritual walk like DJ, including understanding who you are, how to tell your story, knowing God’s story and learning to ‘Live Second,’ visit: iamsecond.com/live-second-
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 190 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.
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