Become A Recovery Supporter
RECOVERY TESTIMONIES
Victory Through Surrender
“I am a father of five, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Growing up, my father was an alcoholic and passed away when I was just 10 years old. In my teen years I began using drugs like marijuana and pills. I lived the fast life for many years, throughout my teens and into my early twenties.
After I joined the Army, I got injured, which resulted in my addiction to prescription medication. I justified the prescription pills because I had received them from a doctor, but when the prescription ran out, I began seeking other ways to manage my pain.
In 2021, I was caught trafficking heroin and methamphetamine. I found myself at rock bottom, locked up, facing some severe charges. BUT GOD hadn’t given up on me. The Lord began placing people in my life that would eventually point me to the Dream Center Discipleship Program.
I have met many wonderful and influential people on my journey here who simply said to me, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” And now I am happy to disciple others and share the freedom I have experienced.”
We were able to witness how God worked throughout Stephen’s whole family. After seeing their father baptized at a Tuesday Family Night, Stephen’s daughter was also baptized. Stephen then had the opportunity to baptize his son as well. Stephen’s character and joy are contagious. He has a will to share the gospel with anyone who crosses his path. He is truly a man who is redeemed and on fire for God.
“I came in six days before Christmas because my life had basically imploded. I used to joke that all I got for Christmas was my black DCD shirt. I felt like I lost everything to come here. Instead, I gained more than I ever had.
I grew up in church and went to a Christian high school. But in about eighteen months, I lost my best friend, my grandmother, and my girlfriend. I couldn’t understand why God would let that happen to me. So I turned to alcohol and drugs, and it got worse and worse. I walked about as far away from God as you can get.
I’d lost five best friends to alcohol and drugs. After my last friend overdosed, I decided I wasn’t getting close to anyone again. For years, I woke up every morning mad at God for letting me wake up. I had this core thought that I was a failure. That was the mindset that brought me here.
Looking back, Jesus had been knocking at the door the whole time. I just had to let Him in. Almost overnight, all the desire to drink, do drugs, or even smoke cigarettes was gone. I know it could only have been God.
I replaced that old core thought with Psalm 139:14: ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are His works, and that my soul knows right well.’ Now I say it every day. It’s a constant reminder of who I am in Christ.
Having brothers here has been amazing. Maybe you don’t see a miracle in your own life today, but you can see one in your brother’s life.
I remember sitting in the house on Christmas Day, thinking about how many Christmases I’d beaten myself up because I didn’t have money to buy gifts for my family. I’d usually spent it on drugs or alcohol. And I thought, this Christmas I’m giving them something they always wanted: me being sober.
My parents just celebrated 53 years together. Today they have the son they’ve been praying over faithfully for the past 48 years. I was dependent on drugs and alcohol for over 30 years of my life, and now I have developed a lifestyle of dependency on God.
Multiple overdoses, car wrecks, everything else. I’m still here. There’s got to be a bigger plan for me. I’m on board.”
