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Sep 3
2012Justin fights for his life...
My name is Justin, and I’m 21 years old. Ludicrous is the only word I can use to describe my life before Christ. I lived a dangerous life with drugs as a teenager and that lifestyle soon caught up with me.
I was only 17 when my life turned completely upside down — I was beaten nearly to death with a baseball bat and then shot in the head. I was completely brain-dead when I arrived at the hospital, and I’m told I died three times while on the way there.
When I came out of the coma nine days later, the doctors told my family I would be mentally challenged and probably need to be institutionalized for the rest of my life.
Family Reunion: Justin is rebuilding his relationships with his family, including his dad and mom.
The road to recovery was tough. It took me 36 months to learn to talk, eat and walk again. During this time, I was prescribed strong pain killers, which I became addicted to. My life was a mess.
But somehow, through it all, Christ saved me. He sent a wonderful woman to me who began to witness to me the Word of God and encouraged me to go to Royal Pines Center, a ministry of the Jimmie Hale Mission. If it wasn’t for me being led to Christ, I would be dead by now.
Back to life
When I arrived at Royal Pines, I knew it was the best blessing I had ever received. I can now call myself a
Christian and a man of God.
Thanks to Royal Pines, I am completing goals and getting my life back. I got my GED through their Stewart Learning Center and rebuilt my relationships with my family. I hope to attend college and eventually become a nurse.
In front of the Cross at Royal Pines: Justin stands with Amanda, the young lady
that helped lead him to Christ and Royal Pines. She is now his fiancee.
God has opened so many doors for me, and I thank God, Royal Pines and the Jimmie Hale Mission for giving me a second chance at life.
Thank you all for everything you have done in my life. I will forever remember this and my walk with Jesus. My favorite verse in the Bible comes from Proverbs 16:33, “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines where they fall.” - Justin P., Royal Pines Graduate
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Aug 1
2012When you think of Christmas, you often think of Christmas gifts. And while presents are exciting, especially for children, they are not all Christmas (or Christmas in August) is about. Sometimes the gift is much greater...
Seeking Help
When Ashley came to Jessie’s Place, she was desperately seeking help. She’d just found out she was pregnant and was walking around Birmingham, not knowing where to turn. She came across the housing authority building and ducked inside. There, the lady at the desk gave her the information for Jessie’s Place, our shelter for women and children.
Ashley with her sweet little baby girl.At Jessie’s Place, Ashley first began attending Bible study. Then, she realized that was not enough. “I wanted even more of it,” she said.
Finding Him
Ashley began attending Church of the Highlands with several others from Jessie’s Place. One Sunday, the pastor announced they were going to hold baptisms. “I knew I was going to mess up my church clothes, but I didn’t care — I wanted to get baptized!” Ashley said. “It was the most powerful experience ever.”
Ashley proudly shows off her "Just Baptized" t-shirt.Now, Ashley feels revived in her faith and is looking forward to living her life. She has a sweet little baby and is excited to be searching for a job so that they can both continue to move forward. “God is good!” Ashley said.
“Thank you to everyone for their support; I’m so thankful
there’s a place like Jessie’s Place that I could turn to.”Click here for more news and updates.
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Jul 2
2012Celebrating our freedom to share the Gospel with others...
Matthew 19:14 is a well-known Bible verse: "Let the little children come to Me, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." It is with this verse in mind that we want to share a volunteer's testimony from a lady who shares the Gospel to public school through Discovery Clubs.
Kinsey's Story
Damione, a student, said “You can’t keep sinning over and over and expect to get forgiveness every time.” “Really?” I asked the class, “Do you agree with that ?” Most of the boys nodded yes.I continued, “You mean God draws a line and says, ‘that’s enough, no more forgiveness for you?’” Again, they all nodded yes.
Volunteer Kinsey and student Damione share a learning moment
I grabbed the Sins and Righteouness t-shirts out of my box. Damione put on the Sin shirt and another
student, Mario, put on the Righteousness shirt. “Tell me the story of these shirts,” I said.Damione said, “Christ died for our sins.” “Right, he did die for our sins,” I agreed, “but not just our past sins — God will forgive us no matter how many times we sin.”
“But that’s not right!” Damione exclaimed. “We can’t keep sinning over and over! We have to love and obey Him.”“Yes, you’re right, but He will always forgive us no matter what because Christ has already died for our sins,”
I said. At this point, I had Mario and Damione exchange the Sins and Righteousness shirts.A Light Bulb Comes On
“Well, if all of our sins are forgiven, then why do we have to ask for forgiveness?” Damione asked.
“Great question!” I said. “Say you said something mean to me. I love you and forgive you for saying that, even without being asked. So why would you come and apologize to me later?”
Click here to learn more about Discovery ClubsDamione said, “I would apologize because I was mean to you.” I continued, “Yes, but it’s not necessary
because I already forgave you. So why would you say, ‘I’m sorry’?”"Because it fixes our relationship," he said. "YES!" I exclaimed. "That's it! Now there's nothing between us!"
So let me get this straight," Damione said. "I'm already forgiven because of Christ, but I confess my sins to Him to fix our relationship." "That's right!" I said.
Damione grinned as if a light bulb had come on and I think it did for the rest of the class as well. We had a God moment!
- Kinsey, Discovery Clubs volunteer
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Aug 24
2011When Joseph first came to Royal Pines, he wasn't sure he could do it. "I had already been through one rehab, and obviously, it didn't work for me," Joseph said. He was unsure about his future.
But now when you talk to Joseph, there is nothing but excitement. "At Royal Pines I learned about someone who will always be there for me - His name is Jesus Christ!" Joseph said happily.
Joseph is currently attending Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL, and is
studying to be a counselor. Pictured here: Joseph on the stairwell at Wallace State."He is the only reason I have achieved my goals: recovery program graduation, my GED, a new apartment, new friends, a new beginning, and last but not least, my salvation," Joseph recalled.
"I remember when I was a drug addict who had absolutely no future and didn't care about anything," Joseph said. "But WOW! Now I'm looking forward to college. I never though I would be able to say that," Joseph stated.
"None of this would be possible without all the hard work and help I received to get my GED while at Royal Pines Recovery Center," Joseph mused. "The receiving of my GED has opened up the door for my career to begin."
"Thank you to Royal Pines for showing me who I could be through Christ."
- Joseph E., Royal Pines GraduateTo read more inspiring testimonies like Joseph's, visit our Success Story page.
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