Amanda Mink - Assistant Counselor

My name is Amanda Nicole Mink. I was born on August 23rd, 1991 and am 31 years old. I grew up with good parents who taught me the right morals, though I strayed on my own. I have an older brother, Eddie, and an older sister, Joanna (my best friend).

Throughout my childhood, I had an idea of who God was, largely thanks to my grandmother, but I had no personal relationship with Him. I was always searching for something to make me happy–I now understand that it was God I needed to fill that void.

In my teenage years, I began drinking heavily and fell in with a bad crowd. This set the stage for a pattern of addiction that would mark much of my life. I married young and had four beautiful children: Lola, Arianna, Nate, and Athena. After my husband and I split, I entered an abusive relationship and ultimately lost custody of my children. Following this, I felt hopeless, and nothing seemed to matter anymore.

I ended up overdosing twice, indifferent to whether I lived or died. I spent years on and off in the adult entertainment industry, using alcohol, pills, and eventually crack cocaine to escape reality. At the lowest point of my life, I ended up in jail for the last time. From there, I went to a place called Teen Challenge.

Leaving Teen Challenge, I came to the Lion’s Den, which felt like it was always part of God's plan for me. The program has been wonderful, and I've witnessed blessings every day. Personally, I've been able to restore my relationship with my children, my parents, and my sister. My legal troubles are beginning to resolve. I've found a peace that can only come from God. I am now free from the chains of addiction and my past.

My life has undergone a drastic transformation, a complete 180-degree change. My life verse is, "Be still and know that I am God." This resonates deeply with me, as it reflects my own experiences. Through Jesus Christ, I am a new creation; He is the Author and the Finisher of my faith.