Michael’s Testimony
Here to Stay in the Family of God

Michael is here to stay! We don’t mean he’s a permanent resident at Hope Ministries – after all, our goal is to empower homeless men and women to make their own way in the world. Instead, after graduating from our Journey of Hope recovery program, Michael is “here to stay” in the family of God, as a permanent resident of His Kingdom!

Michael was born on the south side of Chicago and “growing up was pretty normal,” he says. Sadly, “normal” as Michael describes it meant being smacked around a lot by his parents, skipping school, run-ins with the police and fighting in bars. Michael never finished high school, but worked factory jobs for many years.

“I was able to create pieces and parts with plasma, laser and turret machines … able to drive, deliver and solve problems. Then alcohol destroyed it all.” It also destroyed his marriage. Not long after, he began a trek across the country in the summer heat and made it as far as Iowa. He was hospitalized for dehydration and directed to our Bethel Mission emergency center.

After talking to our staff and residents, he felt this was where God wanted him to be. Michael transitioned to our Door of Faith facility and began our long-term Journey of Hope recovery program, with little hope he’d make it through. “I know me. I knew I’d screw up, because that’s what I’ve always done. Any time something good ever happened, I’d end up drinking it away.”

This time was different. “I was learning a lot about God and praying for Him to guide me. I kept hearing Him tell me I could do it!” And he did.

While in our program, Michael asked forgiveness from many people he’d hurt in the past and forgave those who had hurt him. His attitude changed too. “If somebody needs something, I try to help. I wouldn’t have done that before.”

As Michael prepared to graduate, we helped him look for a trucking job, since he’d always enjoyed driving and wanted to travel. He was offered training in Utah with a guarantee of a position. Suddenly everything was falling into place. “It’s how I hoped it would work out all along. God did that. I want to see the whole country, instead of just pictures. If I do this for the rest of my life, I’ll be happy. Nothing is stopping me now.”

While Michael is moving on, we know two important things are “here to stay” in his heart: God’s love and the family he found at Hope Ministries.

Photo caption: “I was put out by biological father. But I realized it was God, my spiritual Father, who brought me here to Hope Ministries. God was showing me the way.”

PLEASE DONATE HERE