Jacob Thomas Aranza

Jacob Aranza

My hero is a man named Jacob Aranza. Jacob was an evangelist who has spoken to over 8 million students in public high schools both nationally and internationally as well. Not only is he my favorite pastor, he is also my dad. He has written many best selling books such as, “Making a Love that Lasts”, and “Backward Masking Unmasked”. The thing that impresses me the most about my Dad is he is not your everyday preacher who preaches things and has not been through them. He was raised in the Mexican ghetto of Houston. Jacob started doing drugs at the age of nine. His father had been divorced and married many times and his mother was a prostitute. He is truly a miracle story.

My dad is one of the best dads I know. I have never once seen him yell, hit, or even argue with my mom. Recently my dad and mom celebrated their 25th anniversary. One of the main reasons that my dad is my hero is because he truly leads by example. I have never heard him curse or lie to me. One great thing that he does is he knows the correct way to discipline. Many times I will want to do something and he will say no. At first I will be frustrated and not understand, but in the long run I realized that he just wanted to save me from a waste of my time.

Jacob Aranza gave up evangelism to settle down in Broussard, Louisiana. While planting a small church of 100 he and my mother raised 5 boys. My dad has always listened to what God has told him. Listening to God is not always easy. I can’t imagine giving up traveling and speaking in front of thousands at a time and even opening up for Billy Graham, being on Oprah and so many accomplishments and giving it up for a small town in Louisiana. I respect my dad so much because he is able to obey God immediately, something I find very difficult.

One thing I have noticed is that God blesses those who follow him. Now the small church of 100 has thousands and has to have 4 different services because the church cannot hold everyone at once. One of the main reasons that my dad is my hero is because of him, I still play music. My passion in life is playing music and there came a time were I said Dad, “I don’t want to play music, it’s too hard.” My Dad said to me don’t give up for the benefits will be much larger if you just carry on. Now I play in front of thousands of people and I am so grateful that he did not give up on me when I gave up on myself. Jacob Aranza is not my hero because he preaches a lot and is world known and popular, but simply because he has taught me how to treat my future wife, how to live life, and how to face storms when they are staring you down.