R. York Moore was smart, articulate & going places. But the young college student had come to a conclusion. If his philosophy was correct – that the world was a fairly miserable, painful place and God was a complete myth – he didn’t care to be here anymore. So on Christmas Eve, he decided he was going to take his own life.

“I drove onto the freeway. My plan was to smash my car on the viaduct near my home. I got that twisted sense of courage that it really does take to kill yourself – fully intending to kill myself. I aimed my car at that viaduct, and I had a supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ.”

“I just sensed a presence and a power fill my vehicle. It steered me to safety in that instant. I went to sleep that night, and I woke up in a cold sweat. For the first time in my life I prayed a prayer of desperation. That same voice that spoke to me as a child spoke to me. I had another encounter where I heard the voice of God. That same voice spoke to me and said three things that have changed my forever.”

York details the conversation that transformed his life.

“‘Number one, I do exist. Number two, I’m the reason why you exist.'”

“I heard those things as clearly as you’re hearing me today, and those two data points would have been enough for a philosopher. Because, if I come from God, and my purpose is found in Him, then He dictates the confines or the parameters on my life. But then He said, ‘Number three, I am the One who kept you from killing yourself last night.'”

In an already extraordinary dialogue, this part was inescapable.

“God not only knew who I was, but He cared. He intercepted me in a time of need. With tears running down my face, I ran into the other room. I looked up at the ceiling, and I said, ‘God. You can take my life, and You can make anything out of it You want. I want to live for You from this day forward!”

It was the exceptional moment that led to one of the most unlikely evangelists you’ll ever meet.


R. York Moore is a former avowed atheist. Today, he’s a speaker, revivalist, and abolitionist. He serves as national evangelist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA. His new book is called Do Something Beautiful: The Story of Everything & a Guide to Finding Your Place in It.

On the Road with R. York Moore