In the Midst of a Crisis, Jesus Won Over the Atheistic Heart of a Young Stock Market Operations Analyst

(ZENIT News – Porta Luz / Santiago, 10.22.2026).- From an early age, Jackson Kiser began to display the gifts of an exceptional intellect, talents that would eventually lead him to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Georgia College & State University in 2025, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing and Sales. Yet, as he recounts on the portal “Yes Catholic”, Jackson showed no inclination toward the spiritual from a very young age.

«I remember that, even as a young boy, I didn’t believe in God. Despite going to church with my family, playing sports in Christian leagues, and even attending youth groups, I never felt the presence of Christ. As I grew older, that disbelief turned into disdain. Without ever truly investigating anything, I gradually came to the conclusion that Jesus wasn’t real and that all religious organizations were inherently bad.»

Four years ago, the passing of his grandmother due to pancreatic cancer plunged him into a deep sadness. None of his academic achievements — nor the incredible opportunity he had just received to work as a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence, alongside the renowned academic Ward Risvold — could fill the existential void Jackson felt. «It was at that moment that, without knowing how or why, the name ‘Jesus’ began to echo from somewhere deep within his spirit, calling out to him, however irrational that might have seemed to anyone else.»

«I didn’t know who He was, nor why He was offering me an opportunity. But in that moment, I had an encounter with Christ. A few weeks later, I began attending a very pleasant Protestant church. Over time, I felt a longing for something more, something concrete.»

Once again, that «something concrete,» which had no name, no form, and no image, was an almost tangible reality that his soul yearned for. Though he couldn’t explain it, he knew that this reality, unknown to him at the time, would be the answer to his thirst for eternity.

«During a vacation, after a week of traveling through Spain, I felt an overwhelming need to attend Mass. I went inside, sat down, and was completely awestruck. From that day on, I decided I would never miss another Mass, and on the flight back home, I began looking into how I could become Catholic.»

In June 2025, I had my first opportunity to travel as a pilgrim alongside Father Leo Patalinghug and his team from «Plating Grace», a Catholic evangelization initiative that brings diverse people together around a table for a good meal, inviting them to share their conversion stories. Why did I fly to Baltimore to spend a weekend with this «social media priest»? I have no idea. Through prayer, I decided there must be a reason I was asked to go, so I went. It was there that my understanding of Catholicism was completely transformed. Reaching out to others has led me to discover so many unique conversion stories.

On October 4, 2026, Jackson was able to receive the Body and Blood of Christ as a full member of the Church founded by the Son of God, a Church in which he is now a living and active member.