An 18-year-old teen who almost died because of an inoperable cancerous brain tumor got healed and became a pastor.

Diagnosed With Brain Tumor

TJ Lynch grew up in a Christian home with dreams of becoming successful and climbing the corporate ladder. Hence, he went to college, taking a business and marketing course. But one day, that dream was suddenly crushed when the teen was diagnosed with a brain tumor following an eyesight check-up. He was then sent to the emergency room, and doctors found out the cancer was inoperable.

At some point, the 18-year-old got angry at God because of his condition. But in the end, TJ surrendered to God when the church community sincerely prayed for him. The prayers from people moved the teen to the core that he felt the Presence of God through them. Then his eyes were opened to the importance of church and community.

“This was just part of life and yet God was there—through people,” he said.

Responding To God’s Call As A Pastor

Thirteen years later, TJ has become a pastor and is leading a church cancer-free. He is also married with a 3-year-old child and twins coming. And now he looks back and says, “If you told me I’d be a pastor I would’ve laughed.”

Then the now 31-year-old attests that it was God’s work how he became a pastor.

“God, the holy spirit, was at work through it all,” TJ recalled. “You’re 18 and you almost die. It kind of changes your perspective on life.”

While still battling cancer, one day at church, he felt God pat him on the shoulder. That’s when the teen responded to God’s call to become a pastor. And 31 years later, the pastor has become a great blessing to the flock God entrusted to him.

One church member, Joy McLemore, attested TJ’s outstanding leadership as a pastor.

“I’ve never been one to seek out pastors for counseling,” the 76-year-old said. “But I seek him out for ice cream.” They apparently go for ice cream together whenever she needs someone to talk to.

“TJ is just a blessing that appeared right when my family needed it,” she remarked. “He’s fun and funny. He feeds my faith. He’s open-minded, open-hearted. What he says to us at the end of every sermon is, ‘God loves you and so do I,’ and you feel it.”

Reference | The Columbus Dispatch