How a Drug Dealer Found God on the Streets of New York City

Dimas Salaberrios grew up in Queens, New York. By age 10, he had discovered the seedy underbelly of the city ruled by gangs and drugs and had mapped out his future.

He wanted to become the “Street God.”

He became a drug dealer at age 11. By his early twenties, he’d been arrested nine times, but never served time in jail. His father knew a lot of judges, and his mother had the money to protect Dimas with well-paid lawyers.

The tenth time there was no beating the system. He was sent to Rikers Island for a year. Far from reforming him, his interaction with other criminals drove him deeper into his quest to become the largest drug dealer in New York City.

Within a short time of his release, he reached “Street God” status. His drug business made more money than he ever thought possible, and he stood atop of it all. The city was his.

But his success came at a heavy price. He got hooked on crack, began stealing from people, and was swept up into numerous drug wars that took the lives of 30 of his friends. People throughout the city wanted him dead, too.

Could there be any hope for a young man like that? Could the God of the universe rescue someone who considered himself a god of the streets?

You’ll hear Dimas’ testimony on our radio program “Finding God on the Streets.” He sums up his amazing journey to Christ with this hopeful promise for all of us: “When you come to God, don’t make a mild adjustment in your life. Go all in. Give up everything for Him, and your life will never be the same – ever!”

If you’re the parent of a prodigal son or daughter, I hope you’ll join us on your local radio station, online, or on our free phone app. You won’t want to miss the conclusion of this story. God led Dimas out of the city to save him and then – like Moses returning to Egypt – He led Dimas back into the city to play a part in saving it.

Dimas Salaberrios is the author of “Street God” and the pastor of Infinity Bible Church in Bronx, New York.