A Christmas Like No Other

Since childhood, Gerome Crayton had battled insecurity and doubts.  “My real father wasn’t there and my stepfather was an alcoholic.  I had my first drink at 11, then started smoking pot.  It was peer pressure, and I wanted to be accepted.”

Gerome dropped out of high school and began smoking crack.  When his paycheck as a meat cutter didn’t cover his habit, he began selling stolen meat to fund the drugs.

Then Gerome met and married Birdgetta, a Christian.  For a while his life centered around his family and becoming a leader in his church, but his ministry took a toll.  “I was active in church, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with God.  I was trying to rely on myself.  I started drinking again, smoking marijuana then using cocaine.  I hit rock bottom.

“Birdgetta knew God had a calling on my life.  She had stuck with me, but finally didn’t see the marriage working anymore.  When she told me to leave, the wind went out of my sails,” recalls Gerome of the couple’s separation.

Homeless, but determined not to be like his stepfather, Gerome prayed.  “I’d had a glimpse of what life could be, so I told God ‘whatever it takes.’”  Then he heard about Hope Ministries’ Journey of Hope program.

Gerome walked into Hope Ministries’ Bethel Mission thinking, “I can’t do this.”  Then God reminded him he had pledged to do “whatever it takes.”

Unwilling to lose his wife and children, Gerome humbled himself.  One day, a Hope Ministries’ counselor told him, “You are not an addict.  You are out of the will of God.  Your drug use is sin.  Jesus died for you and you’re forgiven.” 

“It was like a light came on!” says Gerome.  “Now I live by Matthew 6:33: Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. 

As Christmas 2005 rolled around, Gerome missed his family, but, he says, “I knew God was doing something.  I couldn’t love someone until I loved myself.”

After completing Journey of Hope and graduating in June, Gerome reunited with his family.  “This Christmas is going to be truly awesome!” he says.  “I’ve had a full year to reflect on what God has done in my life and for my family.  I’m a new man.  He truly rewards those who diligently seek him.”