I was the fourth child out of six and was born and raised in Covington, KY, just across the river from Cincinnati. My dad was hurt in the military and we had to survive on a fixed income, so if I wanted something, I had to find a way on my own to get it. From an early age I started selling drugs and worked as much as I could.
I always thought if I could just get enough money or stuff, people would like me, and I would be loved. All this did was leave me empty inside and always looking for what would fix me.
With enough hard work and knowledge, I was able to start my own company, so to the world I was successful – but I was still missing something. I swapped addictions until God was the only thing I hadn’t tried.
My whole life I loved a challenge, so when my pastor pointed this place out, I agreed.
Then we called Jeremy Long and he told me that Cincinnati Teen Challenge Men’s Ranch makes warriors for Christ and that it was not a rehab, I was in! When I got to the Men’s Ranch it was a culture shock. The love that was shown to me and the way they lived life was unlike anything I had ever seen. They loved me in spite of my wrong doings and of what I could do. This is what really challenged me to change. The times I thought I should get punished, we prayed. I realize now that the true heart of a warrior is made from the inside out.
Life changing. On top of that I completed my GED there proving I can now do hard things in Christ.
Lord, help me to show this kind of love to everyone I come in contact with!