Testimonials

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At the end of the day, for Christian Recovery and even church, transparency and consistency are the most important. This is what people need. They do not need rock bottom.  Rock bottom does not exist. Worse things can always happen, but all we need to do is be transparent and show that we struggle. Not only that, but also emphasize that even with the struggle we try to move forward. The purpose to serve called to me and now my life has dramatically changed for the better. Over the last eight years, I have not only been involved in adult leadership and recovery programs in the community, but I also started the largest faith-based teen recovery programs in the country with around 60-75 students coming weekly to deal with recovery related issues in their life. 

 I believe people would benefit more from a Christ centered healing plan because He is the answer to all of our problems. Jesus is the answer. The problem with addiction is that it does not start with addiction. Addiction starts with what events led you there. You are looking for something to fill a hole whether that's trauma or relationships, whatever it might be, the only thing that can really fill that hole and fulfill you and make you whole is Jesus. Drugs are a weak substitute to hide, self-medicate, or cover up.  

In the midst of this desperation, a pastor at my church connected me with Lighthouse Network. Their Care Guides listened to my story and helped me assess treatment options to free my mind of drugs and depression. I had no insurance to cover my type of complex addiction and mental health issues. But, through their relationships, Lighthouse was able to help me get a scholarship to attend a residential Christian rehab treatment facility.  During nine weeks of treatment, I was slowly guided off my addiction to painkillers. In addition, I discovered the love of God in a deep way that changed my life. On my graduation day from treatment, I was able to physically walk out under my own power – free from the grasp of addiction and depression!

With Jesus, I have no urge to use any drug. My marriage has been restored. My kids see how different I am. I have a relationship with Jesus. I am loved because He says I am. I can do anything because I have him in my life.

The sole purpose I had in life was to keep my mother safe. I wanted to protect her from the men who tried to steal our peace, from the pain that tried to take her away, and from the pills that threatened to destroy us. However, I was not enough to save my mom, and I cannot help but wonder how many children hold that same ache in their hearts from not being enough for their addicted parents. I felt so hopeless watching my everything turn into nothing, and I believed there was no way I could ever get her back. Yet, God is good. Throughout this research I have discovered how impactful Christ can truly be. The possibility that if my mother was introduced to the Bible and found spiritual healing that she could find her way back to me became increasingly evident. Then I thought, if I could utilize this message to save my mom, there are many other struggling people that I could share my message with. 

My uncle did drugs and I saw how badly it destroyed my family. My grandma spent so much money trying to save him. Now, we don't talk about it, because people believe he is clean. However, I feel it should be normalized, because my family has internalized a lot of hurt from the situation since we do not talk about it. If Christ was centered in their lives, maybe the pain would finally leave.