Stories of Redemption

There are moments in life when the world around you looks normal, but inside you’re living in a collapsing house. That was me. I walked around with a straight face, but my soul was cracked like old stone. I wasn’t just lost — I was blind. I didn’t know who I was. I didn’t know God. And worse, I didn’t know how far I was from him.

Long story short, I remained on the streets for two years before going to prison, where I served four of an eight-year sentence. While in the county jail, God spoke to me. I began to read the Bible—the old KJV—starting in the Old Testament, even though I didn’t understand much of what I was reading. But God made sure I had everything I needed to get to know Him, including time.
I’ve now been out for over ten amazing years, and all I can say is this: God is good all the time.

I was walking the boulevard—I don’t even know what day it was. I just know it was cold, and I was more alone than I had ever been. That was the first night I realized I was homeless. Wow. I had never felt anything like that before, and I pray I never will again.

Long story short, I remained on the streets for two years before going to prison, where I served four of an eight-year sentence. While in the county jail, God spoke to me. I began to read the Bible—the old KJV—starting in the Old Testament, even though I didn’t understand much of what I was reading. But God made sure I had everything I needed to get to know Him, including time.
I’ve now been out for over ten amazing years, and all I can say is this: God is good all the time.

I could have really used this a year ago, and I’m so thankful God has brought it into my life now. What a blessing to be part of something that helps men who are struggling. I’m praying God uses The Redeemed—and me—to reach more men, raise up more leaders, and open even greater opportunities to do His work.

Being a part of The Redeemed became so much more than just attending a group—it became a reminder of God’s design for community. It strengthened my walk with Christ, and I’m grateful for the men who were there with me. It was a great experience, and I look forward to continuing this journey together outside of our group. 

I knew about Christ at a young age, but I walked away from my faith and started taking pills to escape all my pain. It didn’t take long for me to realize that if I took more than what the doctor prescribed, it felt good and let me escape even more from the hurt I was going through. The older I got, the more I needed an escape. I don’t even remember my first wedding because I was so high. My addiction continued to grow until I was using heroin, coke, and pills all at once. Then I got addicted to fentanyl and lost my second marriage. Finally, God met me at a faith-based rehab center. Today I’m 3-years clean, sober, and married to a wonderful woman. My relationship with God is the closest it has ever been. I even have my minister’s license. It feels like I found the greatest life you could ever imagine. God didn’t allow me to die when I was using drugs. He has a plan for our lives and it’s greater than our own.

Through the right small group at the right time, Danny found a new understanding of God’s grace in his life. He shares, “I’m not trying to prove myself anymore. I’m resting in the One who proved everything for me on the cross. I have never felt closer to Christ.”

In an instant, my life had gone from mundane with basic struggles to being in shambles. However, the men of the Redeemed have continued to pray for us, show love to us, and reach out to me when things are tough.

Paul wrote to the men of his small group, Before I knew everyone in this group, I was trapped inside a cage that Satan had