Former violent offender brings Jesus to troubled youth
TORONTO, ON—Fuelled by childhood abuse, Michael "Bull" Roberts became a violent, white supremacist gang member. But five years ago he encountered God and everything changed.
"I grew up with a lot of abuse," says Roberts. "I got picked on, but it wasn't the regular bullying that kids go through. These guys tortured me."
Throughout his childhood, Roberts also endured sexual abuse and severe beatings from community members and at home. He ran away and by 16 had a lengthy criminal record for gang violence and drug offences. After getting raped in a mental hospital, he decided to become "a beast."
"Once I had my freedom, I started raising hell," says Roberts. "My life was filled with selfishness, self-mutilation, lies, and misery. I became a racist and hater of everyone. I figured the world owed me because of everything I went through growing up."
But when his friends turned on him five years ago, beating him savagely, Roberts was tired of hitting rock bottom and decided suicide was the only option. Lying on an Edmonton hotel room floor with numerous broken bones, Roberts started screaming at God, asking where He had been during all the abuse.
"I had never felt love in my life, so I looked up to God and said, 'I'm going to crawl to the bathroom [and kill myself], but before I die today, I want to feel loved.' Instantly my life changed," Roberts says. "I felt God with me and I never went back."
Roberts dedicated himself to sharing God's love with young people. He also launched an anti-bullying campaign called "Hurt," helping troubled youth address their pain through painting.
"I found it very therapeutic to speak at schools," says Roberts. "I would go home and feel useful. It gave me purpose."
This year, Roberts became a licensed pastor through Global Christian Ministry Forum Canada and turned himself in for all of his outstanding warrants. Miraculously, he was given only two years house arrest, with leniency to continue his ministry. At his sentencing last March, the judge commended Roberts for his "exceptional faith" and for being "a positive influence on the community."
"I have known Mike coming up on 5 years," says Roberts' mentor Ted Brown, executive director of Regeneration Outreach Community in Brampton, Ontario."He is a man who has grown tremendously in his walk with the Lord. He is an incredible man of faith. He just believes that God is going to act and he has seen the providence of God in so many ways."
Roberts says he still feels God's love as powerfully as ever, and that love propels him forward.
"All the years of hate, the void I felt, it's filled. I've forgiven everyone who hurt me. I don't hate anymore, at all."
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