CRAIG
 

Just over a year ago, I left rehab and began a recovery I’d never thought about. I surrendered to a higher power in rehab, like they teach you to do, and I knew it was God, but I didn’t know who God was at that time. But it was that merciful, loving God that brought me to New Beginnings and that brought all these amazing people into my life toshow me who He is. Second Corinthians 5:17 was the first verse I learned here and it still is one of the most powerful scriptures for me – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old has passed, and a new life has begun.”

This set a healing in me only God could give. I forgave myself because He already had.

There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t thank God for the man I’m becoming. I learn more every day about faith, courage, integrity, sacrifice and grace. You see, I know there is no way I could have or would have survived my addiction without this. New Beginnings has given me safety, accountability and love.

I meet amazing people through New Beginnings that genuinely care about me. The friendships I have will last a lifetime and can’t explain what it means to have these people pray and care for someone that was so broken. The brokenness continues to heal because of these people.

I’ve been baptized in Lake Malawi on my first mission trip to Africa. I got to know my Savior on a personal level through the Brethren Way of Christ, Stepping Up, Kingdom Man and Experiencing God. I’ve been to Delaney Creek Park on a retreat and learned how to grow my own food.

My blessings have been without number since God brought me here and I’m so grateful for the blessings I can watch in the men that come in after me.

TROY

I was living in Fort Wayne of Friday the 13th of 2015. Lived at the Road to Recovery and the 13 Step House until March 2016. Went to the Fort Wayne Mission after losing my job at the Fort Wayne News Paper. I had several relapses in Fort Wayne. On May 19th, 2016 I got on my cell phone and ended up getting ahold of Aaron Turner at New Beginnings. Since then I have been clean and sober, have God in my life First!!! I have met so many people that teach me about the Bible and give me hope and faith that I can be a good man and a leader, too. I am so thankful of New Beginnings and the people that I have met here and in church. It  has changed my life in so many ways. I have God in my life again and these people mean a lot to me – give me shelter and have gotten me a job in just 11 weeks. I would not have all of this without New Beginnings. I am happy to be a part of this and very blessed to have been able to come here and meet the people I have.

Donald

As the longest-term resident at New Beginnings, I have seen a lot here and I would like to share with you some of what I have seen and how it has changed me and the men that have stayed here and the ones that are currently here. When I first came here, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never even heard of this place before that day. New Beginnings is a faith-based halfway house and more. It is a place where men from all different types of lifestyles – whether it be drug use, being in trouble with the law, homeless relief … this is the place these broken men can come, join our family and together, we can help pick each other back up and build a relationship the Lord and establish our life on the principles of manhood as they are defined in the Bible. From devotions to night services where we share with the community, we learn about what it means to live a God-centered life. The night services are among my favorites from the new faces we meet to the people moved by what this place is and the stories of where the men here came from … What they have overcome and where God is leading them.

 I have seen God touch a lot of hearts during my time here – from residents to mentors, visitors and our community. Come by sometime and learn more about New Beginnings.

jason

New Beginnings has given me a fresh new outlook on life as a God-fearing Christian. Before I came here, I was a broken shell of a man who struggled with alcoholism and barely knew anything about God or Christ or the plans they have for my life. Through daily and nightly devotions, Bible studies, mentorship and church, I have come to know what integrity, being a man of Courage and what a God-fearing, Christ-centered life looks like.

I have been equipped with the spiritual tools needed to live sober-minded with humility, compassion and love in my heart for all. I am thankful for the studies I have completed: Stepping Up, A call to Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey; Kingdom Man by Tony Evans and I am currently studying Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby. I look forward to putting all these tools to use in my personal relationships with my kids and family as well as living on my own in this world as a New Creation, independent, firm in my faith and ready to answer God’s call.