David's Story

My goal had been to just live a sober life and not hurt anybody else…

 but God has given me back more than I ever expected

My name is David. Raised in northern Michigan, I started drinking at age 12. By age 21 I knew I had a real drinking problem, and it led to lots of other legal and family problems. About five years ago I decided to try to quit drinking and tried a variety of different things but found I just couldn’t stop. I hated what I was doing and what my drinking was doing to others. Divorce papers were all filled out and I was looking at losing my dear wife and three young sons when my life took a very unexpected turn.

 I was picked up for a DUI (not my first) with a weapon, and attempting to flee and elude the police. This led to six months in jail. I was totally broken while there, and prayed constantly to God that He would just let me die. I saw no purpose in my life and no reason to go on. God had other plans for me though!

One of my fellow inmates had a relative who worked at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, and he told me about the New Life program, which he planned to join. I instantly knew that this was where I needed to be also. I joined New Life in lieu of more jail time, which I knew would not work for me and wasn’t what I needed. I needed a relationship with God.

All I can say is – the Lord found me! Through the teaching in the New Life program, I have been able to hear God speaking to the people here. I feel as though a veil was lifted, and I could finally see where I had been and that God could really help me. I turned my life over to Him, and that has made all the difference.

And He has helped me in ways I never dreamed. My family moved here to join me, and our marriage has been rescued from certain destruction. My goal had been to just live a sober life and not hurt anybody else ever again, but God has given me back more than I ever expected. I’m enrolled in online seminary classes and am preparing to go into missionary work or counseling. My wife and I definitely want to stay in Christian ministry and help others find the new life we have found.

The Lord used Kalamazoo Gospel Mission as a tool to save my life. Like ripples in a pond, this has had an effect on my entire family, and I am big-time grateful to the supporters and donors who’ve helped make this happen. Everything I have now I see as a bonus, because I was once reduced to having absolutely nothing. I am a truly thankful man.