This Prodigal Son Came Home

April 16, 2011 by Derrick Garland Coy

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, was exactly 34 years since I came back home to the Lord.

As a teenager in Jamaica, I had first committed my life to Jesus Christ in 1961, and later attended seminary to study for the ministry. After graduation, I married my high school sweetheart and served as a pastor of a circuit of churches before immigrating to New York with my wife and baby daughter in 1969.

But my marriage ended in divorce, and with our denomination unwilling to employ me as a divorced pastor, I found myself adrift in New York City far from the anchors of family, friends, and home church that I had left behind in Jamaica.

As a new single man in New York, and feeling rejected by church leaders, I found a new career and growing recognition in the publishing field—and the sudden availability of women. After being sheltered in the church during my teens and my twenties, I soon succumbed to the allure of New York City’s swinging singles culture and promiscuous lifestyle.

This continued for several years, even when I moved to Los Angeles to study and work in the film industry. During all this time I stopped going to church and my attitude towards God was one of aloofness in which I gave God the cold shoulder. And I nursed a lingering hurt and resentment towards the leaders of my former denomination.

Despite this, I found myself attending Easter service for the first time at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in 1977. The small chapel was packed with worshipers, choir, and musicians, and from the very start of the service I felt that something was different.

I don’t recall much of what the minister, Dr. Donn Moomaw, preached about, but I remember that soon after I took my seat I became aware of God’s powerful presence, love, and joy in that room.

In particular, I felt God’s love for me, and I had an overwhelming sense of his forgiveness for my cold attitude and rejection of him, my anger and resentment towards the church leaders, my promiscuity, and my attempts to seek and embrace the sinful allures of society. There was no feeling of condemnation from him, just his welcoming presence and invitation to come back home.

And that’s when my tears began to flow freely throughout the service and my hard heart and emotions softened and melted.

As I sat through that service of celebration for the risen Christ, unable to sing along with the congregation because of the inner emotions churning within me, I thought of past Easters in Jamaica and the intimacy of celebrating the sacraments on Maundy Thursday nights, especially the washing of feet, and I sensed the Lord saying to me, “You came to Hollywood to pursue fame and fortune as a film director, but are you willing to be a lowly servant for me?”

I remembered the solemn Good Fridays in Jamaica, the holiest day of the year, when all commerce ceased on the island and many Christians contemplated the Stations of the Cross as we journeyed meditatively along the Via Delorosa, the Way of Sorrows, the route that Jesus took from his condemnation before Pilate to his crucifixion on the cross and his burial in a borrowed tomb. And with that remembrance, I suddenly felt the weight and guilt of my sins and backsliding, and sensed the Lord reminding me of how much he loved me enough to have suffered and died for my sins.

Amid my tears and remembrances, I began to tune into the theme and tone of the Easter service in the chapel that morning—celebrating the resurrected Jesus Christ. By the time the choir and congregation stood to sing the final hymn, the roof-raising celebratory “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” I could only stand and bow my head in submission and silent prayer to my heavenly Father, asking him to please accept me back from my prodigal ways. “Father,” I cried silently, “forgive me. I’m ready to come back home.”

I left the chapel that morning, clutching one of the Easter lilies that ushers had given out, and I returned to my apartment in Westwood. That afternoon, I called my friends and lovers and told them of my recommitment to following Jesus Christ and that my life had changed.

Much has changed in the intervening years. I remarried, and now have three grown children and four grandchildren, and have served God through a variety of careers. I continue to worship at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, which outgrew its small chapel and is now housed in a large sanctuary that serves several thousand members and visitors each week.

In fact, we have grown so much that for the past few years we have been celebrating Easter in the Hollywood Bowl where approximately seven to nine thousand people join us in worship.

So, it was with a grateful heart that over the past few days, this former prodigal son joined Christian brothers and sisters during Holy Week and participated in celebrating Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday in our sanctuary, then went over to the Hollywood Bowl where we raised our voices in praise to our Risen Christ.

It is my prayer and expectation that many other prodigals—sons and daughters—found their way home to our heavenly Father at Easter–wherever in the world they were.

*****

29 Responses

on April 17, 2011 at 6:44 pm | Reply enitsirk24

The unconditional love of God and the Grace He offers is so amazing. Thanks for sharing your testimony.
on April 17, 2011 at 10:06 pm | Reply sy richardson

I Pray you find a publisher for your book. You have a testimony many should read and be inspired. Shalom
on April 18, 2011 at 4:17 am | Reply afrankangle

Grace, love, and forgiveness are God’s trademark – all of which are prominent in your Easter story.

PS: Thanks for visiting my site. My topics are wide-ranging, so I hope you return.
- on April 18, 2011 at 7:29 am | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  Thanks for your comment. I will revisit.
  - on April 20, 2011 at 4:20 am afrankangle
    
    FYIs:
    
    A topic you may be interested in. Wednesdays are my science & theology day.
    
    Also see my sidebar for a link Conversations in Faith Weblog (or something like that) – Nancy is a wonderful blogger about faith – and she’s Presbyterian.
on April 18, 2011 at 10:31 pm | Reply souldipper

” I remembered the solemn Good Fridays in Jamaica, the holiest day of the year…” This is also my favourite service. Many blessings on a soul that, it seems, has known hell. All the more sweet…this life!
on April 19, 2011 at 12:01 pm | Reply Invisible Mikey

I’m enjoying reading your old articles. I know Bel Air Pres quite well. My wife had been a member when she lived in that area. Obviously this is a big week in the church year for deep thinking and for celebration. I sincerely hope you will have a fulfilling experience.
- on April 19, 2011 at 2:49 pm | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  Thanks, Mikey. I’m glad I found your blog, too.
on April 19, 2011 at 12:39 pm | Reply Derek Wingfield

What a wonderful testimony – thanks for sharing so openly! I’m very glad I found your blog, and look forward to reading more in the future.
- on April 19, 2011 at 2:42 pm | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  Thanks, Derek.
on April 19, 2011 at 7:55 pm | Reply Maggie L R

Thank you for sharing your testimony. I identify with the prodigal as well, having spent many years without Gods loving presence in my life. May you be blessed this Easter season.
- on April 19, 2011 at 9:09 pm | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  Thanks, Maggie, blessings to you too, my sister.
on April 19, 2011 at 11:47 pm | Reply Paul Marcel-Rene

I too was a prodigal son. The the Lord, He welcomes us back and gives us His unending Love always!.
on April 21, 2011 at 6:54 am | Reply Reynold Conger

Amen Brother. Jesus is calling all of us home, but few people listen.

You mention in passing all of the ritual of Good Friday, such as stations of the cross. While ritual can help to teach one more about Jesus, ritual alone does not bring us any closer to Jesus. Far to many people get hung up on ritual. Jesus is more interested in our love.
on April 22, 2011 at 5:04 am | Reply journeytoepiphany

God is faithful, even when we are not….Thank you for sharing your story…it was inspiring, and thank you so much for subscribing to my blog!! It really meant a lot! May I ask where you heard about me?
- on April 22, 2011 at 8:48 am | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  Thank you for your kind words. I found you on WordPress.
on April 22, 2011 at 6:29 am | Reply Francine Chin

Beautiful writing as usual.
on April 22, 2011 at 4:04 pm | Reply terri0729

Thanks for subscribing to my site. Thought I would come and check your’s out. I would say that your journey away from and back to the fold reminds me of my joyous return as the prodigal daughter. Glory be to God that we made it home again in one piece, amen?! Great post and thoroughly enjoyable read. Blessings, Teresa
- on April 22, 2011 at 4:39 pm | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  It’s good to hear from a prodigal sister who returned to the fold. Blessings, grace, and peace to you, Teresa.
on April 27, 2011 at 6:21 am | Reply afrankangle

Derrick,
Hope you had a glorious Easter!
on April 28, 2011 at 5:13 am | Reply Hernando

I enjoyed your post, “This Prodigal Son Came Home”.
Thanks for sharing!
on April 28, 2011 at 9:31 pm | Reply Brian

I can’t wait to read through your postings. Your memoir sounds very interesting. God is so amazing!
on May 2, 2011 at 11:34 am | Reply dpatrickcollins

Very well written and inspiring. P.s. Thanks for subscribing!
on May 4, 2011 at 10:13 am | Reply Kristy

Thanks for subscribing to my blog. I have good friends at BelAir Pres. Their Easter service at the Bowl is always such a great celebration! Blessings to you!
on May 7, 2011 at 7:54 pm | Reply spiritualbatman

I pray you don’t stop pursuing an interest in film-making/directing. What an incredible impact you could have on the American culture at large if the actual truth of the Scriptures could be preached and not traded for falsehoods. Amazing post, God be praised for finding his lost sheep.

Your brother in Christ
on May 9, 2011 at 8:55 am | Reply Aubrey

You seems to be an expert in this field, excellent articles and keep up the good work, my friend recommended me your blog.

My blog:
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- on May 9, 2011 at 10:32 am | Reply Derrick Garland Coy
  
  Thank you, Aubrey, and thanks to your friend for the recommendation.
on May 22, 2011 at 10:32 am | Reply Singing Singlev4

I was inspired by your testimony. Some of my own family members are not yet born again and one is like the prodigal son/younger brother when she is actually my younger sister. A book recommended worth reading is A Prodigal God. I forgot who it’s by, but this along with testimonies like yours brought me to new revelations about who God will accept in His kingdom if we just ask Him.
on July 22, 2011 at 1:23 pm | Reply Linda Tucker

Your testimony touch very part of my being. Thank you for sharing. God has me writing a book of prayer, but not exactly what I had in mind, but then His plan is so much better! I wasn’t looking for your website, I can remember scriptures, but not good at the numbers, therefore I have to type in the scripture to find out where it is, and i clicked on your website for the scripture on the prodigal son, and there you were! I am getting close to closing this first and the prodigal son was my last scripture. I was writing about Christians who have drifted away, a little foundation, and then I read what you shared – Would it be possible, not quote your testimony word for word, but change it up allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire me, to touch other Christians who have lost their way because of a hurt, loss or pain they suffered at the hands of others!
I will appreciate your reply and honor your decision. How faithful He is, no matter what we have done; He never leaves us nor forsakes us; we may get caught up in the worldly things and put Him to the back of our minds, but he continues to pursue us, until we return home safely. Its all about Jesus, our Savior! Amen.
I look forward to your response.

sister in Christ
Linda