My childhood was what society might call “normal.” I had two working parents, and our needs were always met. Yet, beneath the surface, something was missing. My father’s alcohol use made him emotionally distant, and we never attended church as a family. Because of this, I grew up knowing little about God or faith.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was my father telling me I was never good enough. No matter what I did, it was never enough. Those words planted deep insecurity in me—one that followed me into adulthood and, ultimately, led me to substance abuse. I constantly sought approval, striving to fit in, even when it meant surrounding myself with the wrong people.
Faith wasn’t a part of my life until I met my wife in 2012. Together, we gave our lives to Jesus, and I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. Since then, my faith has been tested, but it has also strengthened. I’ve learned to trust that, no matter my struggles, God will always work things out for good.
Still, the road wasn’t easy. I found myself in and out of the Ionia County Jail, repeating destructive cycles. It wasn’t until I saw a friend participating in Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry that I decided to give it a chance. That’s when I met Chaplain Duane Stanton.
Chaplain Duane was consistent. He always reached out, dropping off Bible studies and sharing messages of hope. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could open up, but through our one-on-one visits, I found someone who listened, who truly cared. He shared Proverbs 3:5-6 with me: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Those words stuck with me. For the first time in my life, I realized I didn’t have to figure everything out on my own—God would guide my steps.
After my last incarceration, I joined a program called West Michigan Teen Challenge. That decision changed my life. I started experiencing breakthroughs—my marriage was restored, and I recently graduated from the program. Now, I’m working on building structure in my life, staying grounded in my faith, and continuing to move forward.
Even after getting out of jail, I remained connected with Chaplain Duane. His belief in broken people like me has been a source of strength, and for that, I’m extremely grateful.
Today, I am celebrating two years of sobriety, a strong relationship with Jesus, a thriving marriage, a job interview on the horizon, and the opportunity to serve in my local church.
I give all the glory to God and am thankful that He placed me in Ionia County Jail one last time on October 11, 2022. That moment, which once felt like another setback, became the turning point in my life. Because this time, I got involved with Reach the Forgotten, and through it, I found the hope and healing I had always needed.
God is faithful, and His grace is enough.