Looking at Adam Durso today, it’s hard to imagine that the Prodigal Son parable was once his reality.
As a child, Adam struggled with his father’s decision to leave a lucrative family business to become a pastor, feeling trapped and longing for escape. By 17, he openly rejected God. While Adam was away at college, living a lifestyle far from his faith and facing the consequences of his choices, his mother prayed and fasted for months, believing for his return. Eventually, he hit rock bottom, ran out of options, and called his father for help.
On July 9, 1996, during a prayer meeting led by his father, Adam felt a stirring in his heart. That night, he confessed his sins and committed his life to Christ. He woke up a changed man. Within weeks, Adam received a vision for "Youth Explosion," which grew his church’s youth group from 18 to over 700 in just three years. It was clear that God had a unique calling on his life.
Since then, Adam has dedicated himself to ministry and leadership. He created Faith Breathes, a sermon series that reaches over 10,000 people weekly, and founded Catalytic Consulting NYC to equip and empower leaders across generations. His leadership extends to serving on New York’s Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council, working alongside Dr. A.R. Bernard at the Christian Cultural Center, and serving a seven-year tenure as President of LEAD.NYC, where he fostered spiritual and social flourishing in New York City.
Adam’s journey is a powerful testimony of God’s transformative power. His life’s work remains rooted in helping others grow in their faith, leadership, and purpose.