Hey there, and Happy Easter Sunday!
I am so glad you’re here with me today. Whether you’re reading this over a morning cup of coffee before the kids wake up for an egg hunt, or you’re winding down after a big family dinner, I want to welcome you. Today is a day of renewal, a day of hope, and for me, it’s the perfect day to share a piece of my heart through what we call our "Legacy Letters."
Easter is all about the ultimate transformation, the move from death to life, from darkness to light. When I look back at my own life, that’s exactly what I see. If you met me forty-five years ago, you wouldn't recognize the man I am today. In fact, you probably wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere near me.
The Turbulent Years in Riverside
My high school and early college years were, to put it mildly, turbulent. I wasn’t just a "rebellious kid." I was rude, I was full of hate, and honestly, I didn’t care about anyone’s opinion. I had a chip on my shoulder the size of a mountain, and I was looking for any excuse to knock it off.
Back in the late 1970s in Riverside, California, things felt a bit different. On Friday nights, while most kids were thinking about movies or football games, my buddy Bill and I were looking for trouble. Now, Bill wasn’t just any friend, he worked as a bodyguard for the leader of a national hate group. We were a dangerous pair. We were both young, fierce, angry, and we were both black belts in Tae Kwon Do.
Guns weren’t really a thing in the streets back then like they are today, so it was all about hands and feet. We would cruise around Riverside in my car, hunting for a fight. We’d see a group of guys, maybe four to seven of them, just hanging out, chatting, playing basketball, or having a few drinks. We’d park the car a block away so they wouldn't see us coming. Then, we’d wrap our Levi’s jackets around our left arms, a makeshift shield for the punches we knew were coming, and we’d just walk up and start throwing.
It was never a fair fight. Even though it was two against seven, our training and our sheer rage meant we usually walked away while they stayed down. I’m not proud of that. I look back at that young man in the Levi’s jacket and I barely recognize him. He was a "temple" of a very different kind of spirit back then.
The Night Everything Changed
The shift didn’t happen gradually. It wasn't a "five-step plan" to self-improvement. It was an encounter.
My friend Vicky eventually convinced me to go to church with her. I didn’t go because I wanted to change; I probably went just to get her off my back. But that night, I was introduced to Jesus. And I don’t say this lightly: everything changed.
In an instant, that burning anger that had fueled my Friday night rages simply vanished. It didn't just fade; it was gone. In its place, love flooded my body beyond measure. It was a physical, emotional, and spiritual overhaul that I couldn't explain then and can barely describe now. My life took a completely different path from that moment forward.
Today, people who know me, especially the folks I work with at Operation T.A.G., often call me “Mr. Rogers.” It’s a joke, but it’s also a testament to the peace I carry now. I’ve been happily married to the love of my life for 40 years. We have three wonderful grown children and six amazing grandchildren. I’ve spent decades in ministry, touching the lives of thousands and having the incredible joy of leading others to Christ.
I don’t tell you this to brag about what I’ve done. I tell you this to show you what He can do. My story is a living example of the incredible transformation Christ can bring through His Holy Spirit.
What Is Your Legacy?
This brings me to why we do what we do at Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude). Our mission isn’t just about real estate or financial credits; it’s about people. It’s about building a business, building a legacy, and making a difference.
When you experience a transformation like mine, you start to look at the world differently. You start asking yourself the big questions:
- Have you ever thought about the impact your life could have?
- How can your life be a blessing to others?
- How can you make the world a better place?
- How can your life have lasting value?
- How can you live a purposeful life?
The truth is, your life can be incredibly fruitful. As a believer, the Holy Spirit resides within you. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, and you certainly don't have to carry the weight of your past.
As it says in 2 Corinthians 6:16: "For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’"
Just as God dwelt in the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament, He now dwells in you and me through His Holy Spirit. And when the Spirit moves in, He starts producing "fruit."
Galatians 5:22–23 tells us what that looks like: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
That’s the legacy I want to leave. Not a trail of broken Levi's jackets and street fights, but a legacy of kindness, peace, and tangible acts of gratitude.
Making a Difference: The Hometown Hero Credit
One of the ways I try to live out this legacy is through the Hometown Hero Credit. At Operation T.A.G., we are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those who serve our communities and our country.
We believe that those who have sacrificed, our veterans, active-duty military, and Gold Star families, deserve more than just a "thank you." They deserve a tangible act of gratitude. That’s why we offer a 2% credit up to $21,000 to help military families buy or refinance a home.
It’s important to understand how this works because we want to make sure every hero gets the full benefit they’ve earned. This is a non-profit program, and the 2% credit is calculated on the loan amount, not the sales price. Since VA loans generally do not require a down payment, this credit can be a massive boost in other areas.
You can use this credit to:
- Pay closing fees: This can save you thousands of dollars out of pocket at the signing table.
- Buy down the interest rate: Lowering your monthly payment for the life of the loan.
- Pay real estate agent fees: Easing the financial burden of the transaction.
- Pay down debt: In some cases, we can use this to help you qualify for a VA loan by reducing your debt-to-income ratio.
Please note: This credit cannot be used for a down payment or for non-loan related purposes.
By helping heroes secure their piece of the American Dream, we are helping them build their own legacies. We are helping them create a stable home where their children and grandchildren can grow, just like mine have.
A Final Thought for Easter
Today, on this Easter Sunday, I want to challenge you. What will your legacy be?
Your past doesn’t define your future. I am living proof of that. Whether you are currently in your "Levi’s jacket" phase: full of anger or confusion: or you are looking for a way to make your current success more meaningful, know that transformation is possible.
You have the power to make the world a better place. You have the opportunity to be a blessing. Whether it's through your family, your business, or by supporting a mission like ours at Operation T.A.G., your life can have lasting value.
Build a business. Build a legacy. Make a difference.
Happy Easter, everyone. Let’s make it a year of transformation.
Brett Stacy
National Director & Founder of the Hometown Hero Credit
A program of Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude)
A 501(c)(3) non-profit project of HDCF
Contact Information:
Websites: www.OperationTAG.org | www.HometownHeroCredit.com
Phone: 760-456-8748 (24-hour Information Line)
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