Danny Velasco - Detour Through Hell: A Lifestyle of Glamour and Excess Led to Heroin Addiction and Homelessness

Published by Salon Success Systems 2014

Copyright 2014 Danny Velasco

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.

Book cover design and formatting services by www.BookCoverCafe.com

First Edition 2014

978-0-615-96910-7

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danny Velasco : For nearly 40 years, Dannys career took him around the world as a freelance Hairdresser and Makeup Artist to Fashion Models, Celebrities, and Rock Stars. His work has appeared the covers of Vogue, Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, and many other fashion magazines throughout the US and Europe.

The story of Dannys amazing transformation has been featured on:

The 700 Club

Billy Graham Association Decision Today

Campus Crusade for Christ

Breakthrough Prayer by Pastor Jim Cymbala

When Gods People Pray by Pastor Jim Cymbala

Im Amazed DVD

This Is Your House CD

Christian Women Today

Men Today Online

Transformation (WMCA, 570AM, New Yorks Christian Radio)

CBN Website

Revive Magazine

Global Christian Network (Korea and World Wide)

Danny was the Director of Celebrate Recovery Ministry for the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, an outreach that helps people with habits, hurts, and hang-ups.

Please visit www.DetourThroughHell.org to watch Dannys online videos, read articles, listen and download his audio testimony so you can share his story with those in need.

Praise for DETOUR THROUGH HELL

I have heard hundreds of stories of Gods transformation power at work in peoples lives but Dannys story is the most amazing and encouraging one of them all. From the height of success in our business to living on the streets of New York without a home, we watched this story unfold. The faithful prayers and witness of one of our models, Wanda, is also an awesome example of how God can use each of us right where we are.

I was blessed to know Danny, now transformed by Gods grace and power. His story is one you will never forget.

Jeff Calenberg , Model/Photographer/Founder of Models for Christ

It was my privilege to translate for Danny Velasco as he shared his amazing story with thousands of Japanese in various cities of Japan. Dannys modern day, life-changing miracle is another universal tribute to the unchanging power of Jesus Christ. The reality of his experience crosses all cultural and language barriers and will inspire anyone, in any sphere of life.

Steven Kaylor , Pastor of Hope Church, Tokyo, Japan

Reads like a novel, but resonates Gods truth, love, and grace.

Margaret Scott/Tish Craig , Transformation Ministries, WMCA RADIO/570AM

Dannys story is one of the many amazing testimonies to come from The Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City. He was a living example of a total transformation when one decides to change their lifestyle and refuses to compromise. Gods Amazing Grace is real and more than mere lyrics to a famous song. His story is true and I pray it will bring Hope and Redemption to many. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Morris Chapman , Singer, Songwriter, and Worship Leader

Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. Grace is God giving us what we dont deserve.

Author Unknown

FOREWORD

The conversion of Danny Velasco is a stirring story that reminds me of both Saul of Tarsus and Lazarus from the Bible.

From a sarcastic mocker of Christianity, Danny was transformed by the grace of God into an eloquent spokesman for the faith he once ridiculed.

After years of living homeless on the cruel streets of New York City, his emaciated, desperately ill body was raised up by Christ into a life of spiritual freedom.

Danny Velasco was a walking and talking miracle of God!

As his pastor, I watched Danny inspire audiences around the world with his sincere testimony of Gods grace. What a wonderful reminder he was that Gods power has never changed across all the centuries of history. The Gospel of Christ is still the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16.) How else can one explain the transformation of this man?

Dannys life also reminds us that Gods heart is full of mercy. In a day when many give up praying because the situation seems hopeless, Danny Velasco stands as a trophy of the longsuffering and kindness of our heavenly Father.

You will be deeply moved and never forget the story you are about to read.

Jim Cymbala

Senior Pastor

The Brooklyn Tabernacle, Brooklyn, N.Y.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take this opportunity to thank so many people who have been so kind to me over the years as I walk this path. There are so many that I could never really thank everyone so if your name is not here, please know that I love you with all my heart and cherish your friendship.

I would like to start with thanking Wanda Geddie Brickner for first telling me about the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your bold witness has changed my life forever. I am eternally grateful Ward, you have been a good friend. Thank you.

Liz Silvestri, you were there from the beginning. Thanks for all the talks and late night bible discussions. I grew and grew because of the wisdom that you so readily gave.

Pam Sanders, thanks for being a great friend.

Pastor Jim Cymbala. Who could ask for a better Pastor than you? You have helped raise me up and believed God for me when I couldnt see my way through. You believed in me, encouraged me, and taught me. I always want to make you proud of me and because of you I strived to be better than I thought I could be.

Carol Cymbala, thank you for the privilege of allowing me to sing in your wonderful choir. I love worshipping the Lord and you have given me the chance to do it in song. (Even though Im not the best singer around!) Im always amazed.

My brother and sister-in-law, David and Cynthia Velasco, I love you so much. I am so thankful to God for you. And my two beautiful nieces, Bianca and Sienna, you are both a gift from heaven.

My agent and dear friend, Rosemary Bennett, I would like to thank you for all that you have done for me over the years and for always being there with me through the good times and bad.

Pastor Rick Johnson, thank you for your commitment and dedication to teaching and reaching out to the lost and broken. I cherish your friendship.

Reverend Dave and Jennett Sanders, when I had nowhere to go, you took me in. When I was hungry, you fed me and when I was thirsty, you gave me drink. What you have done for the least of us, you have done unto the Lord. Thank you.

Roger and Mary Skinner, you are like a brother and sister to me. You are good friends. You took me into your family and treated me like family. I love you both.

To my Brooklyn Tabernacle family, you all mean so much to me. Over the years, I have watched you. Watching you has taught me how to walk, how to talk, how to love, how to accept, how to worship, how to pray. How could I ever thank you?

My life has been enriched by countless people. Today, as we all are, I am the total sum of all the experiences that I have had in life. Looking back, I happily accept every experience, both good and bad. They have made me who I am today.

I thank the Lord Jesus for all of them. He allowed me to have them, kept His hand of protection on me and now He shows me that all were necessary somehow in His plan and purpose for my life.