One of the greatest blessings I have found
at the Mission is a true sense of belonging
I am deeply grateful that my life has become a testimony to the redeeming power of God’s love. I had a stable childhood and was raised alongside my siblings by parents who faithfully loved and taught us responsibility, respect, and integrity. My mother was a steady source of encouragement until her passing, and my father worked tirelessly to provide for our family and create opportunities for a better life. They did all they could to guide me well. Yet as I grew older, poor choices, unhealthy relationships, and negative influences slowly pulled me away from those values. In time, I became spiritually lost and disconnected from God, which led to deep hardship.
For a season, I tried to fill the emptiness in my heart through a toxic relationship that grew more destructive over time. I cared deeply for the woman I was with, but I could not see how much damage the relationship was causing. As my circumstances worsened, I eventually found myself incarcerated and later homeless on the streets of Atlanta for nearly two years. During that time, some friends offered me a room to stay in, but the environment was filled with drug and alcohol abuse and only deepened the cycle I was already trapped in. My life continued to spiral downward, and each day I cried out to God, asking Him to rescue me from the grip of addiction and despair. I reached a point of exhaustion and defeat, fully aware that I was living far below the way my parents had raised me.
In His mercy, the Lord heard those prayers and began leading me toward freedom. My recovery journey started with a 45-day program in Moultrie, Georgia. After completing that step, I entered a two-week recovery program in Tifton, where I was introduced to Brad Sutton, the men’s program intake coordinator for the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia. In May 2025, I completed the intake process at the Mission with renewed hope, believing that a Christ-centered, 12-month program could help me heal and rebuild my life on a solid foundation. Looking back, I can clearly see that God had not abandoned me. Even in my darkest moments, He was making a way forward, and for that I praise Him.
When I first arrived at the Mission, I felt nervous and unsure of what to expect, but that feeling soon began to fade. I was welcomed with genuine kindness and compassion, and those first interactions helped me settle into a completely new environment. Although the adjustment took time, the Mission became a place where I could begin again. Since coming here, my faith in Christ has grown stronger, and I have gained a clearer understanding of how God wants my life to honor Him. Being here has transformed me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. The life recovery classes have had a powerful impact on my growth. I not only gained tools for change, but now I can see how God can use my story to encourage others facing similar struggles.
One of the greatest blessings I have found at the Mission is a true sense of belonging. For the first time in a long time, I feel part of something meaningful. The men in the program have become like family to me. We support and encourage one another, as we walk this journey together as brothers in Christ. I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve through work therapy at the Bargain Center. My role includes helping to price items and working with a team to sort out incoming donations, making sure each item is clean and ready for the sales floor. That responsibility has given me a renewed sense of purpose. It means a great deal to know that my work contributes something positive to the community while helping me stay active and engaged outside the classroom. I am also grateful for the Celebrate Recovery classes, which played an important part in helping me reach a major milestone: receiving my one-year chip for being clean and sober. Before coming to the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia, I never realized I could trust God to help me overcome a life marked by drug and alcohol abuse. Today, I know that through Christ, recovery and restoration are possible.
I wear a Psalm 37:4 bracelet as a daily reminder of God’s greatness: “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” That verse continues to guide and encourage me each day. My time at the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia has lifted the heavy burden of my past and given me hope for a stable and productive future. This place has become more than a program for me. It has become a home, a source of security, and a foundation for a better life. The care and concern shown to me here inspire me to respond with commitment, gratitude, and a desire to keep growing. I truly believe this experience has prepared me for the next chapter of my life. My goal is to enter the transitional program after graduation and secure permanent employment so I can continue building a life marked by purpose, faith, and responsibility. For anyone seeking healing, structure, and a fresh start, I can say from personal experience that the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia is a place where real transformation can begin.
Click here to download the July 2026 issue of The Mission Bell.