A Story of Redemption & Hope
John Miranda’s Journey in Youth Ministry
John Miranda’s story begins in the shadows of poverty and violence in Colombia. Born into circumstances that would break many, he experienced his father’s death at age three, extreme poverty, and exposure to darkness no child should endure. The transition to the United States brought new challenges, and by 18 his depression deepened. John had attempted suicide twice. In desperation, he cried out to God, “If you are real, I really really need you.” In a brief time after, John would experience the Holy Spirit lifting away years of sin, pain, and insecurity. The emptiness left by his father’s absence was filled as he met his Heavenly Father.
John’s transformation led to an internship at Church on the Way. After a journey of setbacks including job loss and depression, John eventually found his place in assuming the youth ministry that had lost 96% of its students, John saw remarkable revival at El Camino Church—attendance grew to 300 students over 2-3 years. John attributes this growth entirely to the Holy Spirit and Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI), whose certification program provided structure and leadership development tools that transformed his ministry approach.
One powerful example involves Inmar, a resistant 20-year-old who initially “mad dogged” everyone. Through genuine relationship-building—attending Inmar’s soccer games, sharing meals, creating space for connection—John saw Inmar transform from a young person on the sidelines into a ministry partner who now preaches and disciples others.
John’s story is ultimately one of redemption—proof that God can take even the most broken beginnings and turn them into something beautiful and purposeful. From a childhood marked by violence, loss, and instability to a life of ministry impacting countless young people, John’s journey testifies to what happens when someone encounters God’s love and chooses to walk in it. Today, God has blessed John with two beautiful children whom he sees as precious gifts and living reminders of God’s faithfulness.
UYWI has helped John to create a model that goes beyond events and numbers to focus on genuine discipleship. The young man who once contemplated ending his life now stands as a beacon of hope for countless others walking similar paths, finding his calling in seeing his own brokenness reflected in the youth he serves.
Through generations of youth workers who say yes to God’s calling, a lineage of new believers comes to Christ. You can see this vividly in how previous youth workers created space for John to encounter Christ, and years later he did the same for Inmar, who is now discipling the next generation. Your partnership with UYWI matters!
Thank you for your partnership. It costs less than $10 a day to train a youth worker and support them through our leadership process. Your gifts enable us to train more leaders, reach more youth, and create safe spaces where young people can encounter Jesus. You are helping to Build for the Future and invest in 5X the growth throughout 2025.
Bless you,
TOMMY NIXON, CEO
Urban Youth Workers Institute