Dr. Tony Rizzo's Testimony

Born in 1961, I grew up in a family of seven siblings. My family experience consisted of many tragic transitions. My father left home when I was five years old. Heavy amounts of drug abuse caused severe fragmenting of our family. 

Being the youngest of the family, I watched and reflected on these events. By the time I was a teenager, I had no hope or goals. I entered a life of drugs and drinking. I found myself vainly seeking to fill my emptiness with heavy drug use and other destructive habits that were not to the glory of God.

As I approached the age of nineteen, I encountered an old friend who challenged me to accept Christ. I called out for the Lord to be my Savior at two in the morning on New Year's Day, 1981. Knowing my life had changed immediately, I wanted to tell others about this new experience. I was excited to let everyone know about it. The Lord called me to return and reach the youth as hurt and lost as I was. My heart was called into a youth ministry to reach out to teens, children, and anyone who would listen. 

I married Becky in 1984 while graduating from Liberty University with my Pastoral and Youth Ministry degrees. We have four beautiful children who all continue to serve the Lord in their churches and lives. I continued my education and pursuit of ministry through my Master's in Counseling at Louisianna Baptist University. I have been able to lead and pastor in three churches, develop our ministry - Youth Action Ministries, and author four books dedicated to evangelism and ministry. I am currently creating a Master Course on Becoming an Evangelist, devoted to training the next generations of Biblical Leaders and Evangelists. 

Some 45,000 souls have come to know Christ through Youth Action Ministries since 1981 and have their hearts turned to God. We have seen many young people called into ministry and serving the Lord. Our Youthfluential Digital Ministry is growing, and we are excited about that! We look forward to the expansion of our Safety Zones throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding area. To God be the glory for all He has accomplished!