An 18-year-old brain cancer patient wins the victory over his ordeal to become a pastor.

Brain cancer patient

Rev. TJ Lynch from Columbus, Ohio recently shared his journey about how God strengthened his faith after a cancer diagnosis at a young age. When he was just 18-year-old, the lead pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

He underwent chemotherapy and a shunt to fight against the deadly disease. Members of his childhood church in Springfield prayed for his healing. Today, the 31-year-old Reverend is now declared cancer-free. He credits the power of those prayers for his healing.

“This was just part of life, and yet God was there — through people,” he said. “God, the Holy Spirit, was at work through it all. You’re 18, and you almost die. It kind of changes your perspective on life,” he continued.

Rev. TJ Lynch

Rev. TJ during that time was studying business and marketing in college before God called him to another path. In 2015, he said that he felt a nudge from the Lord during an Easter Sunday service, calling him into ministry.

“I just had that call,” he recalled.

He also emphasized that being a pastor is about the people and about building relationships with them.

“For me, pastoral ministry is about the people, the relationships.”

One member of his church, the 76-year-old Joy McLemore shared how Rev. TJ has been a blessing to his family.

“I’ve never been one to seek out pastors for counseling,” Joy said. “But I seek him out for ice cream… TJ is just a blessing that appeared right when my family needed it. He’s fun and funny.”

“He feeds my faith. He’s open-minded, open-hearted,” she said. “What he says to us at the end of every sermon is, ‘God loves you, and so do I,’ and you feel it.”

Read also: TIM KELLER SHARES UPDATE ON BATTLE WITH CANCER 

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Reference: Christian Headlines