By Byron Pedersen
From Spokane Dream Center
I have believed in God my whole life – but it doesn’t mean I’ve always walked with Him. When I was six years old living in California, I saw Jesus in the clouds through my bedroom window. I was excited and peaceful at the same time. I believed this was a normal encounter for a six-year-old.
But things changed. By the age of 10, I was a heavy drug user. I was very candid with my parents about my using and always told them to pray for me. Through prayers, God moved a pastor into our neighborhood just three doors away from our house. We hit it off right away and I shared my addiction with him. I also shared my beliefs and all the Jesus encounters. I knew Jesus was always knocking and pounding at my door to come to Him but no one ever showed me how or taught me His divine power. I struggled with adversity. The Christians I met growing up had major issues and had nothing good to say. My drug use continued.
In 1990, my wife and I were having a senseless argument. Even in my drugged state, I knew that evil was present in our home. I grabbed hold of my wife and called out to Jesus saying, “Jesus, Jesus, I need you more than anything, please come into my life now!” With a loud firecracker bang and a poof-like cloud, the room suddenly seemed to be as white and clean as snow. Jesus has answered my prayer and kicked the devil out.
Instantly we were sober and began attending a Bible study and were baptized in a Pentecostal church. We both learned what a relationship with Jesus was. I became zealous for the Lord and played drums in a Christian band. I volunteered with Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship ministry. When I was saved, I had zero Bible knowledge, but God filled me with His words. All I needed to do was be obedient to Him and He did all the rest.
There is much more to the story about how a close friend’s tragedy turned into the seed for a new ministry in California. And then after many years, we were blessed by our miracle son, Zechariah, and we moved to Idaho. In April 2012, we came across an ad for Behold Jesus at the INB Theater and went to see the afternoon show.
The anointing from the Holy Spirit really moved us a lot. Tammy and I looked at each other after scene eight, the heaven scene, and we were both in tears. Going to the front, we met Pastors Dave and Alice Darroch from Spokane Dream Center. We could feel their passion and authenticity. I wanted to be part of this production.
The next year we were asked to be in the drama. I said yes, without even knowing what we would be doing. Alice, the drama’s director, asked me to portray John the Baptist. I couldn’t say no, but my wife and I had never acted before. All we could do was rely on Jesus to help us.
I had been praying that some time for God to bring us more Christians to connect with. Jesus answered our prayers and introduced us to a few hundred Christians through the drama. I’ve watched my son, who is now thirteen, grow immensely in his love for Christ. This is our fifth year as cast members.
Spokane Dream Center is celebrating their 20th year of the Behold Jesus drama. Not only is it a testimony to God’s faithfulness to them as a church, but personally, it has caused me to stretch and grow in my relationship with Jesus. I have believed in God my whole life, and now I know what it means to walk with Him.

Save the date: Behold Jesus, Saturday, April 8 at the INB Performing Arts Center, 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm. Free. No tickets required. ASL interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available. For more info, contact Spokane Dream Center, 509.924.2630.
spokanedreamcenter.org