Born in 1971 in the Philippines and raised in Long Beach, California, Paterno’s early life was marked by struggle and survival. As a young boy facing constant bullying, he learned to fight his way through a tough neighborhood. By age 12, the battles had turned inward — to addiction, drinking, and rebellion. Though he found success and popularity through high school as a varsity wrestler and surfer in Huntington Beach, the emptiness inside only deepened. The more he chased the world’s pleasures, the further he drifted from peace — until the day he fell to his knees, crying out for God’s mercy.

That desperate prayer at 27 changed everything. God answered. Through tears and total surrender to Lord Jesus, Paterno broke free from the chains of drugs and alcohol. What followed was a long road of rebuilding — from broken relationships and failed marriages to raising his children with love and faith. Through every heartbreak and trial, God never left his side. When temptation came again, Paterno found himself face to face with darkness one last time — and this time, he chose light. The encounter with what he believed was the presence of Jesus or an angel sealed his deliverance for good.

Today, by God’s grace, Papa Smurf Paterno stands reborn — not as the fighter from the streets, but as a warrior for God’s Kingdom. Through his ministry and YouTube channel JLF777 – God’s A-Z Adventurist, he shares his story of surrender, victory, and transformation to inspire others to seek the same freedom in Christ. His mission is simple yet divine: to spread God’s love, unity, goodness, kindness, and abundance to all people. Every adventure, every video, and every act of service is a testimony that no one is too lost for God to find, and no life too broken for Jesus to restore.

Papa Smurf Paterno – God’s A-Z Adventurist