August 2013 Newsletter

His Steps Ministries Newsletter      Ministry News   In the last few years, the average age of people desiring to enter the program has dropped from age 35 to 20. Along with the drop in age, the main drug of choice has changed from crack-cocaine to prescription pain killers. The good news is these drugs bring people to the end much faster than street drugs. That is good because they can start getting help sooner. A recent report substantiated what I'm seeing. The national report shows that  pharmacies received and ultimately dispensed the equivalent of 69 tons of pure oxycodone and 42 tons of pure hydrocodone in 2010, the last year for which statistics are available. That is enough to give 40 5mg Percocets and 24 5mg Vicodins to every person in the United States. Below is the story of one of these young men. My name is Austin and I'd like to tell you how God has been working in my life since coming to His Steps in May. If someone came up to me a year ago and told me about this program, I probably would have just laughed at them. I treasured my selfish life of sin more than anything God gave me, even the ones I would claim to be so dear to me. I was living every day with all the wrong motives of this world. When I finally got the taste of freedom I desired it so much, it was all she wrote. No true responsibilities, a house all to myself, and all the desires of my flesh right at my fingertips. I made it my ultimate goal to not deprive myself of whatever made me happy, all in hopes of drowning out the pain and sorrow that controlled my soul. Although I refused to acknowledge God at all anymore, He still loved me. I had completely turned my back on all that I’d been taught and ran as far as I possibly could to try and hide from the Truth. The only way I’d learn now was the hard way, and it was much harder than I’d ever imagined. All of my addictions that I constantly fueled over the past few years had finally caught up to me. All that was left was sheer terror and agony. I was now slipping out of reality, fully convinced that there would be no return for me. I had no idea what was going on around me, but I can now see that God was surely using the weakest point in my life to assure me of His sovereignty and unconditional love. There was nowhere to hide. Praise God for giving us families and a body of faithful believers. If I had not been blessed with such a loving family and friends that cared about my salvation, I have no idea where I would be right now, maybe dead.  For the first time in a very long time, I know that God has put me exactly where I am supposed to be. I’ll admit I was very skeptical about joining any type of long term program, much less a fully Scripture based one (which is unheard of). But when I first came to visit His Steps, all my doubts were quickly laid to rest and I had peace. Tim, Kit, and everyone at Faith Community Church have been more than welcoming to me. The discipleship I receive here is unlike anything I have ever experienced in any church or program that I have been part of. I have without a doubt been given a unique opportunity to fellowship with those around me not only as men but also as believers. This type of devotion and accountability for one another is what the body of Christ is all about and I’m proud to be a part of it. Each day, according to His will, I live by the Creator as He reveals Himself to me through the diligent expositional teaching of His Word and the humble example of His servants. I thank God for the power He has given us to overcome all obstacles that life can toss at us. I fully believe that there is no philosophy of man that can save me from myself. I can’t wait to see how much more God is going to teach me in the days ahead.     Prayer: Please continue to pray for all the men in the program. We continue to be full, as soon as one graduates another comes. It’s often a difficult adjustment for the men to receive someone new. Please pray for all of the men that have volunteered to teach the evening Bible studies. They have been a real blessing to me in taking the teaching responsibilities for the evening sessions. Continue to pray for new ministry partners.   If you are interested in partnering with us financially and beyond, you may contact Tim Brown: timbrown@hissteps.org or (770) 595-4249 All support is welcome. We exist by the grace of God through partners who care about helping others as our Lord commanded. Your gift is tax deductible.        Our mailing address is: 2011 Meadows Dr., Woodstock, GA 30188 Copyright (C) 2010 His Steps Ministries, Inc All rights reserved.   unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences