Raised in the Church, Still Lost for Decades | John's Story
- Western Michigan Adult & Teen Challenge
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
John grew up in Grand Rapids in a Christian household. He got saved and baptized at age eight, went through public school and then a Christian college, and by every early marker, his life looked set on a solid foundation. But somewhere along the way, John chose to live life on his own terms, drawn into the pleasures of the world rather than the faith he'd been raised in.
He was already a drinker before 2019, but that year his father passed away, and everything got worse from there. John tried four different rehabs and attempted to quit on his own more than once. Nothing held. His drinking kept escalating, and he ended up with three DUIs along the way.
A Walk to the Liquor Store That Led to Church Instead
One day, walking his familiar route to the liquor store, John passed three churches he'd driven or walked by countless times over the years. That day, something felt different. He felt led by God to walk into one of them, and he met the pastor there, Pastor Ken.
For 18 months, that pastor and church kept praying for John while his drinking continued to worsen. Eventually, he reached a point where he couldn't take it anymore, and that was what finally brought him to Western Michigan Adult & Teen Challenge (WMATC).
Friendship Without an Agenda
What stood out to John from his very first day at WMATC was how genuinely kind everyone was. He built instant friendships with people he could trust, people who cared about him without expecting anything in return except friendship itself. He arrived with only a small duffel bag of clothes, and whenever he needed something, socks, shoes, whatever it was, the people around him made sure he had it.
Believing God Could, Doubting God Would
John had always believed in God's power. His struggle was never doubting what God could do; it was believing God would do it for someone like him, given everything he felt he'd done wrong in his life. He didn't feel worthy of help.
One of the most important things he's learned at WMATC is that seeking God is enough; God provides what's needed, whether that's friendship, peace, or simple calm in the middle of chaos.
Learning He Could Trust People Again
John came in skeptical of anyone wanting something from him. Over time at WMATC, he learned he could bring any problem, no matter how small or embarrassing, to any pastor or any brother in the program. Many of them had walked through the same struggles themselves, so there was no judgment, only support, honest advice, and Scripture to keep him encouraged.
Wrestling With an Uncertain Future
One of John's ongoing challenges, even now, is not knowing exactly what God has planned for him. He describes himself as someone who wants a clear step by step plan, and learning to work on faith instead has been difficult. Even so, he's seen God provide in concrete ways: within days of each other, two separate possibilities opened up for life after WMATC, both of which his pastors and brothers in the program see as good options.
Old Verses, New Meaning
John has read the Bible his whole life, but he says he's read it more since coming to WMATC. Familiar verses have taken on new meaning as he's sat under sermons and classes at the program, and looking back on his life, he can now see God watching over him even during the years he was running from him.
What Comes Next
John plans to stay connected to the church he'd already been part of for 18 months before coming to WMATC. He wants to stay in God's will, find work, and continue rebuilding his relationship with his sister, a relationship that's begun to improve, even if slowly, as the two have started talking more. Longer term, he'd like to help others who've gone through what he has, so they know they have someone in their corner who won't judge them.
His takeaway, after everything: God will help you no matter what, and giving yourself willingly to him brings far more than fighting him ever did.
Why John's Story Matters
For donors, John's story is a reminder that even a strong Christian upbringing doesn't make someone immune to addiction, and that WMATC's ministry reaches people at every stage of life and faith background.
For prospective students and families, especially those who feel too far gone or too old to change, John's story at 52 shows that a new beginning isn't limited by age or how many past attempts have failed.
For the WMATC community, his story highlights something simple but powerful: friendship without an agenda is often the first thing that makes someone willing to stay.
If grief or addiction has someone you love feeling unworthy of help, that isn't true.
Help make stories like John's possible.
Comments