James DeArmond- AED

I grew up in a small community in Western Kentucky and was raised in church. However, simply being raised in church did not equate to a personal relationship with Christ. I knew about Him, but I didn't truly know Him. I mistakenly believed that just attending church every Sunday was enough to navigate life. This belief was shattered when I was 14.

On a seemingly normal summer day in July, my father left for work, not knowing that he would never return home. An accident at his workplace claimed his life, leaving our family without its patriarch. Lacking a solid foundation in Christ, my life began to crumble.

At that crucial age of self-discovery, seeking acceptance and a sense of belonging became my focus. Rather than turning to God, I turned to darker influences. I immersed myself in drugs and alcohol, which felt like tools used by darker forces to deeply entrench themselves in my life. Initially, this path was enjoyable, as sin often is. But sin has a way of taking you further than you want to go and keeping you longer than you wish to stay.

For over a decade, I remained in this bondage. Throughout this time, there were numerous attempts to become clean and sober. The world's solutions—medications to wean off other addictions, secular programs, and various meetings—proved ineffective. They couldn't lift me from the deep, dark hole I was trapped in.

In July 2012, I experienced my "Prodigal Son" moment. I finally saw the dire state of my life and realized there was only one solution: I needed to return to my Father's house. Although the local Mission Teens center in Greenville, KY, couldn't accommodate me, they connected me with the Crossville Mission Bible Training Center in Crossville, TN. I checked into the program on July 25, 2012, and it marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

God used the Mission to deliver me from my addictions, setting me free once and for all. He also instilled in me a desire to stay in ministry, helping others who were struggling as I had. This incredible journey with Mission Teens eventually led me to Roscommon, MI. I cherish Mission Teens because I've witnessed firsthand what God can accomplish through it. I now understand that all things are possible when God is prioritized.

God has blessed me with many amazing people in my life, and I eagerly anticipate His next moves.