The Lord had plans for wrestler Jon Risto from the start.

Even though he was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus at a young age, something was missing. “I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus,” Risto recalls. “I just did it because it’s what my family did.”

Jon’s faith was weak. His deep desire to be loved by others overtook his relationship with Jesus. In high school, he looked in all the wrong places to fill his longing. In university, he jumped full force into college culture—partying, drugs, and hooking up. “I tried to find love through relationships with women. Things spiralled and the drugs got heavier. I wasn’t happy.”

Jon was at the end of himself. “I knew there was something missing and I wanted that relationship with Jesus.”

In 2019, God got a hold of Jon’s life. He attended the Athletes In Action (AIA) National Training Camp and invested in their community. Then COVID hit. Unexpectedly, the shutdown and newfound faith community helped his relationship with Jesus grow.

“I knew there was something missing and I wanted that relationship with Jesus.”

When sporting events reopened, the Lord used Jon and other Christian teammates to influence his wrestling squad. “Before, the culture was partying and hooking up, but with so many Christian guys now on the team, the culture changed. People noticed it, coaches noticed it, and it made a huge difference.”

Jon never imagined he could lead, but God showed him it was possible. “Looking back over the last two years, I can see His hand everywhere in my life. I’m excited to see where we go next.”

Jon continues his journey of finding his identity and satisfaction in Christ. He admits that he forgets, but reading Scripture helps reveal the truth. “I have to remind myself that God loves me and pursues me. He died on the cross for my sins. Now, I am a son of God, and He wants to know me.”