Paul was raised in a world marked by partying, alcohol, and drugs. His parents were seldom around, often overwhelmed by work and their own challenges. As the years passed, Paul became convinced that drinking and drugs were the only way to numb the pain he carried inside.

Paul’s first time at the Mission ended when he chose to leave. After later finding himself in jail, he began reflecting on something he had witnessed during his stay. “I saw staff members sharing their testimonies, and they had joy.”

Wanting that same joy in his own life, Paul returned to the Mission, enrolled in our one-year New Beginnings Program, and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. After completing the program, Paul sought God’s direction about taking the next step by joining the Mission’s one-year Ministry Intern Program. “I prayed to God about it. I felt called to give back what had been given to me.”

Paul graduated the Ministry Intern Program and now serves as the Mission’s Kitchen Manager. He has a place to call home and recently completed the Mission’s Intern Car Assistance Program, which helps interns by covering two-thirds of their vehicle payment while they contribute the remaining one-third. He now has a home, reliable transportation, and a future he never imagined possible.

Paul was once weighed down by pain and brokenness, but today he has been transformed by the love and joy of Christ. He is no longer traveling a path that leads to despair—he is walking a road marked by hope, restoration, and redemption.