Former Satanist Who 'Preyed' on Christians Now Teaches Others to Resist Devil Through 'Supernatural Bootcamps'

Sep 01, 2016 10:57 AM EDT

A man who once worshiped the devil now dedicates his life to spreading the Gospel, teaming up with a popular evangelist to offer "supernatural bootcamps" to help Christians arm themselves against the forces of darkness.

John Ramirez, who converted from Santeria to Christianity and has documented his story in a book titled Out of the Devil's Cauldron, has teamed up with pastor Shane Wall, bestselling author of The Supernatural Guide to Understanding Angels, to offer one-day teaching and deliverance workshops.

According to a press release issued about the bootcamps, the two men are dedicated to helping Christians expose and combat the devil and "are angry at the devil and proving it by training Christians how to effectively take an aggressive stance to defeat him and his kingdom."

Wall said: "Supernatural training is much needed, globally. John and I receive hundreds of calls, emails, posts and the like from people who are desperately seeking understanding of the supernatural."

During the boot camps, the first of which will be held in October, participants will be taught about the "spiritual gifts" from the Holy Spirit so they can minister in the areas of "deliverance". In addition, the bootcamps will also include ministry in "spiritual gifting" and a time of intercessory prayer for the mayor of each hosting city and the governor of their state.

Wall said: "Regardless of title, I believe everyone is called to minister with God's power, and I'm grateful that He is sending John and me to unlock the ministry that's inside thousands of people."

Added Ramirez, "The church is asleep, and we are hitting the road to wake the saints up!"

During an interview with CBN, Ramirez, who also founded John Ramirez Ministries, shared how growing up, his family practiced Santeria: "My father's side came from a family of witches and warlocks," he recalled. "My father was very heavy into Santeria, very heavy into Spiritualism."

Eventually, Ramirez himself became steeped in the cult himself, and would "prey" on Christians, determined to convert them to his dark religion.

"At the clubs, I would go around looking for Christians," he said. "And I knew that in the club you were in the devil's playground. So I knew that if I could get into you and you had a beer or two already in your system, I knew all I had to do was just say, 'Listen, I have something to tell you today.' And right now you will open the door up and say, 'What is it you need to tell me?' You gave me the gateway."

Following years of devil-worship, Ramirez found himself at a crossroad between darkness and light. Confused and miserable, he contemplated suicide. However, after experiencing a strange dream in which Jesus overpowered the devil, Ramirez accepted Christ and turned from his former ways.

"I've been victorious in Christ," he said. "I've got peace. I'm not empty anymore. I've got fulfillment. I've got a purpose and I have a destiny today, and all because I said 'yes' to the cross. Now I'm an evangelist for the Kingdom of Light. No more an evangelist for the dark side. I expose the dark side every time the Lord gives me a chance, because you don't have to die in your sins. You don't have to shed blood... Jesus shed the blood for you. That's the blood that counts, the one at the cross."

You can learn more about the Supernatural Boot Camp here.