‘What’s It Going to Take?’

I was born into what many would call a ministry family, but not just any ministry family. My dad is Greg Laurie, a pastor and evangelist who has preached the Gospel to people across the globe for over 50 years. Growing up, I not only heard about Jesus in church but saw Him in the lives of my parents every single day.

From an early age, I was immersed in church life—services, staff meetings, camps, small groups—but what left the deepest mark was the authenticity I saw. My parents and their friends weren’t perfect, but they were genuine. They loved the Lord, their ministry, their friends and family.

I spent time with people whose names many Christians would instantly recognize. Billy and Ruth Graham, Uncle Franklin, Skip Heitzeg, Chuck Smith. I shared meals with them and became friends with their kids. I was behind the curtain at big conferences and events. I saw how leaders acted when no cameras were rolling. And I can say with confidence: they were living the life they preached.

But none of that kept me from drifting. As a teenager, I didn’t want to be “Greg Laurie’s son.” I wanted to be my own person. Teachers and church members would sometimes tell me “We expect more from you”— because of who my dad was.

The pressure didn’t push me toward Christ but toward rebellion. When I was 16, I took a hard turn toward the world.

A friend introduced me to marijuana, and within six months, I was using it three to five times a day. I drank regularly, smoked cigarettes and partied whenever I could. All the while, I lived at home and kept my appearance at church. I became an expert of the double life—clean on the outside, crumbling on the inside.

I was miserable. I had too much of the church to be happy in the world and too much of the world to be happy in the church. Addicted to drugs, I tried to quit more times than I can count. I would throw drugs out my car window and search for them the next morning. I felt ashamed around my Christian friends and fake around my worldly ones. I sank deeper into depression as I tried to hide from everyone.

There was one person I could be honest with—my older brother, Christopher. He had gone through his own season of rebellion but came out on the other side. By this time, Christopher had surrendered to Jesus and was walking faithfully, was married and raising a young family. He shared openly about how empty the party lifestyle was and encouraged me to pursue Christian friends and take my faith seriously. He reminded me of the wake-up calls God had given me, like the time as a teenager I was arrested for drug possession.

One day, he looked at me the way only an older brother can and asked me a question that has stuck with me ever since. He asked, “What’s it going to take for you to give your life to Christ?”

I didn’t have an answer. I just shrugged. Yet, his question followed me, and a week later, I got my answer.

On July 24, 2008, Christopher was killed in a tragic car accident on his way to work at our church. He left behind a pregnant wife and a daughter just four days shy of her second birthday. Christopher was the one person I was somewhat honest with. He knew the real me and still loved me. When I heard the news, it felt like my entire world collapsed.

But in the midst of the shock and grief, his question echoed in my mind: “What’s it going to take?”

I went straight to my room, gathered all my drugs, alcohol and pornography into a paper bag, set it at the foot of my bed, and dropped to my knees. I prayed, “God, I’ve proven I can’t quit this on my own. I need You to not only take the addiction away but the desire, too.”

I asked Jesus to forgive me and change my heart, and He did.

From that moment on, everything changed. I cut off toxic friendships and leaned into the people who truly loved me. I began reading my Bible every morning, asking God to speak to me, and He did. Psalm 119:9 became my anchor: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”

It’s been 17 years since God delivered me and gave me a new nature.

Today, I am the executive pastor at the church my father started over 50 years ago, working closely with him and sharing the pulpit. Shortly after Christopher’s departure for Heaven, I reconnected with Brittni, a girl I had liked since 7th grade, and we’ve been married for 15 years. Together, we have three amazing kids, Rylie, Alexandra and Christopher, named for his uncle.

I didn’t give my life to Christ because it was expected. I did it because I needed hope. I wanted the hope of Heaven. I wanted to see Christopher again. I wanted to see Jesus face to face.

I have that hope today, and if you don’t, I would extend that same question my brother asked me over 17 years ago: What’s it going to take? Surrender your life to Christ today and see what He will do! ©2025 Jonathan Laurie

The Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version.