Page 45 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2022 - Online Magazine

LOCAL LEGENDS

realizing how well he was acquainted with
the feeling of being a nobody, surrounded
by drugs, violence, and brokenness, Herrera
knew that God had been preparing him for
this work. Herrera said, “I don’t ever want
to forget who I was, what makes me who
I am now. The way I talk to the inmates is
because I know how they feel; I know what
happened to their lives; I know that there’s
still hope.” With joyful tears in his eyes, he
explained that his joy is that God gave him
the opportunity to walk away from the life
he had been living and to “give up my .45
for a King James.” God pulled him from
a life of drugs and violence and brought
him into a life of impact, surrounding him
with an incredible support system from his
board to his anchor, Gloria.

When he looks at his life, one of Herrera’s
greatest wishes is to “leave a dent” when he
goes, rather than simply leaving the world
the way he found it. He wants to see those
in need and brokenness impacted by his
story. The path of life is a choice, and Herrera
recognizes that his testimony is greater than
any message he can preach. He encourages
those whom God brings into his life to make
the decision to be better, not simply follow
what may seem like the path laid out before
them. It is important not to give up or walk
out; serving the Lord is not easy, but it is
worth it. For anyone who has heard his story,
it is clear that Gilbert Herrera has not simply
left a dent, but a huge impact, by sharing his
life and the love the Lord has shown him.

Lubbock Senior Link 45