Together, Shining the Light

At first, it might seem tragic or a cruel twist of fate for two men from the same family to wind up at a shelter for the homeless. But for 27-year-old Josh and his father Tom, 52, coming to know the Lord—together—at Hope Ministries has been a miracle few fathers and sons have a chance to experience, and it enables them to shine the light of hope for one another.

Josh's story ...
"I was involved with marijuana and drugs, selling and toting guns around, doing a bunch of stuff that was immoral," Josh says, "and getting by by the skin of my teeth. God was giving me chance after chance, but I didn't see it at the time. So I prayed to God for help."

Two days after that prayer, in July 2007, Josh was arrested. He was convicted of two counts of drug and weapons possession and sent to prison. Throughout his incarceration, he continued to talk to God. When he was paroled—with no place to go—he came to Hope Bethel Mission emergency shelter.

Tom's story ...
"Four years ago, I had everything I could want: money, nice vehicles, a wife and seven kids, a farm and cattle. I always thought if I worked hard, I could get what I want and be happy. But even after having it all, I felt empty inside."

Then disaster struck. Tom developed health problems that prevented him from working, his wife and two younger sons moved out and he lost their farm to foreclosure. Tom went into a deep depression and even considered taking his life.

After a stay in a mental hospital, Tom had nowhere to go, so Josh suggested he come to Hope Bethel Mission where they could be together.

Holding the light for one another ...
"I was in really bad shape when I arrived from all the medication and the worries I had," Tom shares. "But as soon as I accepted the Lord into my life, that emptiness was gone!"

"Besides feeding you and giving you a bed," Tom explains, "Hope Ministries offers something for people who want to change their lives." Josh and Tom enrolled in our Journey of Hope long-term recovery program to work on being accountable and responsible for their actions. They transferred from Hope Bethel Mission to Hope Door of Faith, where they are rebuilding and redefining their relationship as father and son and sharing a passion for leading others to Christ.

Not long ago, Josh saw a man on the curb, crying, and asked the man if he was all right. When the man said no, Josh gave the man a pamphlet to read. "He did and I saw a peace come over him," Josh recalls. Tom, too, comforted a man who had just entered the program and told him there was a way he could be delivered from his bondage. "I planted the seed," Tom says of leading the man to Christ right there sitting on the bunk bed together.

As Tom and Josh hold the light of truth for one another and share it with others, they're walking the right and righteous path, growing in their relationship with God and building bright futures. Your generous partnership and prayers make miracles like this possible. God bless you.