Joe’s Story

For over 10 years, I struggled with addiction. I tried practically everything possible – marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, pills, meth, LSD, heroin, crack… but it was the needle that eventually brought me to my lowest point in life. In August of 2010, I showed up at the Faith Home because I had nowhere else to go. I used and abused anyone I could in order to get what I wanted. I was in and out of detox and rehabs, thinking this place would be just another stop on my rollercoaster of life. The Faith Home wasn’t just another “stop;” it became the building blocks and foundation of my relationship with Jesus Christ, and my journey into Manhood.

I grew up in church, so I knew about God and how to “go to church,” but I never had a relationship with my Savior. The 18-month discipleship program allowed me the time I needed to deconstruct what I thought I knew, and learn how to build an intimate relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even more so, how to be a man – living a responsible life chasing hard after God.

I would be lying if I said everything was smooth sailing after leaving the Faith Home. I had my struggles and setbacks, but what I had even more was a firm foundation on who I was in Christ and what He said about me. Knowing that I have a loving father who cares for me, brought me back into repentance (turning away from my life of sin and back into a relationship with God). It’s now been 10 years since I graduated from the Faith Home, and the things God has restored to me are unmeasurable.

I’ve been married for 7 years to my beautiful wife, Abigail. I have a relationship with my sons, Jaydn and Kaleb, as if I had never abandoned them for over 8 years. Also, I’m “Pops” to my son and daughter from my wife, and “Uncle Joe” to countless other young men. Last year, I was on a father & son senior class retreat with my oldest son, Jaydn. I began apologizing for everything when he stopped me and said that he forgave me, because when he needed me most in life (going into 9th grade), I was there. I give all the glory to God, because He is the reason I am present in their lives today.

Since 2019, I have lead the Media Team Ministry at Christlike Worship Center, and starting next month, my wife and I will be the youth leaders. I would not be alive today if it weren’t for God and the work He did in me while at the Faith Home.