Key Moments
Ex-Gang Member: What Makes A Violent Man Change? - Johnny Chang
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Key Moments
A former gang member turned pastor reveals that true strength isn't found in violence but in surrender and faith, challenging conventional notions of power and control. His journey from prison to ministry highlights the profound impact of vulnerability and forgiveness.
Key Insights
Johnny Chang entered the California Youth Authority (YA) at 12 years old due to a RICO act charge, facing an environment where he fought an average of 6-8 people on his first day and over 40 in four years.
After his release from YA at 16, he was tried as an adult, sentenced to 10 years in prison, and served 85% of it, experiencing a shift from gang politics to race-based conflict and a more lethal environment.
In prison, Islam was the most respected religion, offering a sense of discipline and purpose, but he later found Christianity more impactful when explained through the lens of identity and a need for a savior, not just self-effort.
A pivotal moment in his transformation was a conversation with Pastor Kim, who explained sin not as actions but as an inherent identity, leading Johnny to articulate his lifelong emptiness and his father's betrayal.
His reconciliation with his father, who then also found faith, was a profound turning point, demonstrating that true strength lies in vulnerability and forgiveness, not control or aggression.
Johnny emphasizes that the greatest change came from surrendering control, understanding that faith requires effort (rowing the boat) but ultimately trusting God with the outcome, a concept that contradicted his ingrained self-reliance.
From project housing to prison at 12: early life and descent into gangs
Johnny Chang's early life in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles was marked by poverty and parental struggles. His immigrant parents, seeking the American dream, ended up in project housing. His father, a chef, developed an alcohol addiction, leading to domestic violence against Johnny, his mother, and brother. This created an environment of fear and distrust, causing an 8-year-old Johnny to seek refuge on the streets, where he began fighting. By age 10, he was suspended from school, and the rampant gang culture and crack cocaine epidemic in the 90s deeply influenced his environment. A pivotal moment occurred when he was jumped and beaten, only to be blamed by his father who couldn't comprehend the escalating gang violence. His mother, pressured by his father, also participated in his punishment. This betrayal solidified his inability to trust his parents and fueled an internalized rage, turning his fights into acts of survival rather than sport.
Recruitment into gang life and early encounters with the justice system
At 12 years old, Johnny's delinquent behavior and street presence made him a target for gang recruiters. His first encounter involved being held at gunpoint by older teens who then offered him a sense of belonging. He was introduced to a 'shot caller' who, despite his intimidating appearance, was respectful and offered him money, making Johnny feel valued and "family." This seemingly kind gesture was predatory, leading to his first mission: a kidnapping and robbery. This mission resulted in his arrest and entry into the California Youth Authority (YA). Despite being a first-time offender, the RICO act charge, combined with his known associates involved in serious crimes, led to him being tried as an adult and sentenced to four years in YA. The YA environment was brutal, with constant fighting ('lining it up,' 'ramlas') and corrupt correctional officers, shaping him into a more violent and desensitized individual who viewed violence as a universal language for respect and belonging.
The harsh realities of prison and the search for identity
After serving time in YA, Johnny was paroled back to his mother's home. However, within 67 days, he was involved in a freeway shooting at age 16, leading to his trial as an adult and a 10-year sentence in maximum-security prison (Level 4). Prison was a starkly different environment; gang affiliations were secondary to race-based politics. He learned that 'all that gang stuff gets dropped,' and survival depended on race solidarity. This contradicted his ingrained gang mentality, causing him to struggle with the rules and get disciplined frequently. The environment was described as 'less violent but more lethal,' with riots and stabbings being common. He witnessed the fluidity of morality and the constant predator-prey dynamic, where betrayal could come from anyone. During this period, Islam was the most respected religion due to its perceived discipline and rigidity, and Johnny found a mentor who introduced him to Islamic teachings and the "Art of War," offering a sense of purpose and respect.
A turning point: encountering Christianity and finding hope
Despite his engagement with Islam, Johnny felt a growing internal conflict and a sense of betrayal when his mentor became defensive about questions. A critical turning point occurred when he picked up his mother from church and was invited to eat with the pastor. Pastor Kim challenged Johnny's understanding of sin, defining it not as actions but as an identity issue stemming from original sin. This resonated deeply with Johnny, as it articulated the emptiness he had felt throughout his life. The pastor used analogies, like being born Chinese, to explain that sin is inherent, and an imperfect person trying to produce perfection inevitably falls short, leading to emptiness. This explanation of his internal struggle, coupled with the lifeguard analogy of needing a savior, offered Johnny his first genuine hope. He realized he couldn't save himself and that Jesus could provide the salvation he desperately needed, shifting his focus from productivity to surrender.
Reconciliation, recovery, and the challenge of reintegration
Following his encounter with Pastor Kim, Johnny began to actively pursue his newfound faith. He eventually reconciled with his estranged father, a moment that went viral, where both apologized and expressed love, leading to their father's own salvation and a mended relationship. This transformation, however, was not without immense challenges. Upon his release after over 12 years of incarceration, Johnny struggled to unlearn the survivalist, manipulative mindset ingrained by prison. He experienced social anxiety, extreme vigilance in public, and difficulty with basic social norms. The Pavlovian conditioning of prison made him expect authority figures to guide him, and he realized he was 'institutionalized' despite being free. This period of re-entry was marked by a profound internal battle between his old ways and his new faith, highlighting the difficulty of truly letting go of control.
The nature of true strength and the practice of faith
Johnny grapples with the concept of strength, distinguishing between the bravado of violence and the quiet resilience of faith. He acknowledges that embracing Christianity felt weak initially, as it required turning the other cheek and forgiving those who wronged him, actions that were harder than the violence he was accustomed to. He learned that true strength lies not in control but in surrender, a difficult concept for someone who believed they were the master of their own destiny. This involves planning boldly but surrendering the outcome to God, understanding that effort is required but success is not solely dependent on personal will. He differentiates this from passive resignation, emphasizing that faith requires active participation and alignment with God's will, not simply wishing for results. The discernment between God's voice and one's own inner monologue is crucial, guided by scripture rather than fleeting emotions.
Forgiveness as liberation and the battle against self-condemnation
A significant part of Johnny's journey involved learning about forgiveness, both for others and himself. He realized that forgiving others is primarily for one's own liberation, releasing the hold they have on one's emotions. This process became easier when he considered his own betrayals of God and others, recognizing a shared brokenness and humanity. Forgiving himself, however, proved more challenging, particularly for actions he committed knowingly. The shame and guilt associated with his past crimes made self-condemnation a persistent struggle. He found solace in the idea that forgiveness extends even to the inability to forgive oneself, offering a gentle path toward healing. This perspective shift allowed him to view his past actions not as definitive judgments but as lessons learned, enabling him to move forward with a more compassionate self-understanding.
Ministry, mentorship, and inspiring hope
Johnny's past experiences have uniquely equipped him for ministry, particularly within prison walls. His willingness to confront his own trauma and vulnerability has enabled him to connect with others facing similar struggles. His first prison ministry experience, returning to the very institution where he served time, was terrifying but ultimately transformative. He witnessed firsthand how his testimony could resonate with inmates, offering them hope and a different perspective on their own lives. He found purpose in sharing his story, demonstrating that change is possible and that even in the darkest of circumstances, a path to peace and redemption exists. This work, though challenging, has become a testament to his faith and a powerful demonstration of overcoming adversity.
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Common Questions
Johnny Chang grew up in poverty in the San Gabriel Valley, East LA, where gang culture was prevalent in the 90s. His father's alcoholism and domestic violence created an unstable home, leading Johnny to seek belonging and protection on the streets at a young age, starting fights and engaging in mischievous behavior from age 8.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
The area east of Los Angeles where Johnny Chang grew up in project housing.
The city where gang culture was prevalent in the 90s, influencing Johnny Chang's early life.
City an hour away from Johnny's home where his mom's car broke down, leading to his visit to the church.
Country where Johnny's mother was born.
Restaurant on Sixth Street in Alhambra where Johnny met his dad to apologize.
Artist whose gangster rap style was hitting the scene in LA during Johnny's youth, contributing to gang culture.
Artist whose gangster rap style was hitting the scene in LA during Johnny's youth, contributing to gang culture.
Neuroscientist and podcaster who uses Element electrolytes.
Co-founder of Momentous, who played in the NFL and observed the varying quality of supplements, leading him to create Momentous.
The pastor at the church in San Bernardino who spoke with Johnny and introduced him to a new understanding of sin and Jesus.
Organized crime group that the RICO Act was used to take down.
Organized crime group in America that the RICO Act was used to take down.
Government agency that works with other agencies to take down gangs.
Government agency that works with other agencies to take down gangs. Also mentioned as using Element.
Government agency that works with other agencies to take down gangs.
Juvenile correctional facility where Johnny Chang was sentenced at age 12, described as housing the 'worst of the worst'.
The specific California Youth Authority facility where Johnny was initially sent.
Professional American football league; Momentous supplements are trusted by all 32 NFL locker rooms.
Certification ensuring that what's on a supplement label is actually in the tub.
A service offering advanced lab tests for hormones, heart health, kidney function, and cancer signals.
Used as an analogy to describe the structure of Johnny's gang, with different sets operating under one umbrella.
Retail store where Johnny experienced culture shock upon release from prison due to its vast array of products.
One of the places Johnny applied for a job after prison.
Supplement company founded by Jeff Buyers, known for evidence-backed ingredients, transparent doses, and third-party testing.
Company that makes non-alcoholic brews, allowing people to enjoy a cold drink without negative after-effects.
Social media platform where Johnny Chang Live can be found.
Social media platform where Johnny Chang Live can be found.
Social media platform where Johnny Chang Live can be found.
Bible verse cited by Pastor Kim to explain that people often do things they don't want to do.
Bible verse cited by Pastor Kim to explain that sin dwelling within a person causes them to do things they don't want to do.
Bible verse mentioned, stating that discernment comes from the word of God.
Bible verse mentioned, indicating that scripture always points back to Jesus.
Bible verse cited by Johnny's pastor, suggesting that people overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.
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