Meet Jovan Martinez of The Beachhead Society in Kennesaw State

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jovan Martinez.

Jovan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Newark, NJ but once my parents separated and my mother remarried, we ended up moving to Pennsylvania. Once we move there, it severed my relationship with my father. Between the age of 10 and 18 my father was obsolete in my life. I remember a time when he was scheduled to pick me up every other weekend. This time in particular, I was extremely excited because my father was really good at creating memories and just simply having a good time. I can recall going back and forth to the window waiting for him to pull up. I ended up waiting all day for his arrival but he never showed. This moment of my life affected the rest of my life. Because of this one moment, I began viewing my life thru this window. Always waiting for people to do things for me. To make changes for me. To show up for me. I remember feelings of abandonment and the dire need to be affirmed!

I later met my now wife at 15 years old. She was my high-school sweetheart. I thought she was my affirmation until I realized that a relationship could never affirm me. I then began cheating heavily to fill the void of affirmation! Therefore we later got married at 21, thinking that once we get married I would settle down and be the man God called me to be! I was wrong! The cheating continued! So I then began to pursue a law enforcement career. My wife and I was offered a job here in GA while we stilled lived in PA. Therefore we packed our things and made the move, hoping to start things over and do things the right way. Well, once we moved, my job offer was pulled and we were here in Atlanta, GA with no family/friends. I remember literally having to live off oodles and noodles with tomato paste as a meal everyday. We literally had to live off of $1,500/ month: rent was $1,000, car payment was $250 and our car insurance was $200. I began doubting myself as a man and once again, I wasn’t affirmed!

So I then went back to the things that gave me temporary relief of the pain; cheating and having sex with other women for affirmation! To the point of me actually abandoning my family; two children and a wife. One thing I learned is that sin will take you further than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay. I ended up moving in with my mistress but during this time, my wife began praying for me heavily and loving me beyond what I ever deserved! I remember actually calling my wife during this time and saying to her that “God is doing something to my heart, without my permission.” I had no intention in trying to make things work between her and I but because of her prayer and persistence it began to change my heart. I then came home to visit the children, just for a moment with the intention to just see and spend time with my children. But God had different plans, my wife invited me to church and I was hesitant on attending but I decided to go anyway. I slept thru the entire service until God literally woke me up and led me to the alter.

At that point, God spoke through Bishop Bronner, directly to me with a word of knowledge and prophecy! This day, Sept 14, 2014 will forever be the day that changed my life. During my time away from my family, I slept with multiple women and got two women pregnant but later got an abortion! During this time, my wife received visions of double. Four years later, we were blessed with twins! God promised us everything we thought we had lost due to my disobedient and rebellious behaviors. But God was so faithful. I later began ministry school through the Institute of Ministry Leadership and Development through the Christian Alliance of Pastors. And I now lead a ministry at Kennesaw State University titled The Beachhead Society, my wife and I counsel couples, and I speak at high schools, colleges, and universities. We have four beautiful children and my wife and I are happily married, living our lives completely in service to God!

But my life began changing for the better when I realized that I MUST replace the window with a mirror and see myself for who I became.

I remember feelings of abandonment and the dire need to be affirmed! I later met my now wife at 15 years old, she was my affirmation, or so I thought. Once I realized she could never affirm to the degree I needed, I began cheating heavily! Therefore we later got married at 21, thinking that once we get married I then would settle down and be the man God called me to be! I was wrong! The cheating continued! So I then began to pursue a career to affirm me, my wife and I was offered a job here in Ga while we stilled lived in PA. Therefore we packed our things and made the move, hoping to start things over and do things the right way. Well, once we moved, my job offer was pulled and we were here in Atlanta, GA with no family/friends. Once again, I wasn’t affirmed! So then I went back to cheating and having sex with other women for affirmation!

To the point of me actually abandoning my family; two children and a wife. I moved in with my mistress but during this time my wife began praying for me heavily and loving me beyond what I actually deserved! I remember actually calling my wife during this time and saying to her that “God is doing something to my heart, without my permission.” I later came back home to visit the children for a moment with the intention to just see and spend time with my children. But God had different plans, my wife invited me to church but I slept thru the entire service until God literally woke me up and led me to the alter. At that point, God spoke through Bishop, directly to me with a word of knowledge and prophecy! Sept 14, 2014 will forever be the day that changed my life. During my time away from my family, I slept with multiple women and got two women pregnant but later got an abortion! During this time, my wife received visions of double. Four years later, we were blessed with twins! God promised my wife everything she thought she had lost!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course not. Dealing with abandonment issues because of the lack of my biological father’s involvement. Recovering from Infidelity. Having to live in someone’s basement. Eating only what the food bank provided because I couldn’t afford to purchase our own food.

Please tell us about The Beachhead Society.
The Beachhead Society: We share the Gospel of Jesus Christ while engaging college culture. Our goal is to spark revival in the hearts of college students for the purpose of connecting them with local church communities. We do this by using our gifts, talents and abilities. Therefore we utilize the arts to creatively present people with the good news of Jesus Christ.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely a very talented athlete; football & basketball. I played throughout my childhood, as well as collegiate & semi-professional football. I was always known as the class clown. I was always the cool kid that knew everyone but oddly enough, I struggled to have close friendships.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1000 Chastain Rd
  Kennesaw GA 30152
• Phone: 7706526099
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
William Price

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