On March 8th, 2009, I was arrested for attempted strangulation. I was drunk and didn’t remember what had happened and didn’t believe it when I finally got to read it. It was the testimony my girlfriend gave that convinced me I was capable of such a horrible charge. That was the defining moment of my life. As an atheist I wanted nothing to do with God, but
none of that mattered now. Atheism won't comfort you when you're all alone, but God was right there and, since I was raised in a Christian family, I knew this was true. I broke down and pleaded with God, saying, “I know what I have done is unforgiveable, but please God, help me. Forgive me although I don’t deserve it.”
He did. Looking at three years and a ton of probation, I decided I was going to move back to Washington and start over with my family. This was my plan until one afternoon I went to a presentation for Three Oaks. James caught my attention right away; this man truly cared for each individual in the room. As he explained the programs, I knew I wasn’t going back to Washington. Nope, I was going to stay Idaho and be a part of this. I went to
sentencing and the judge gave me probation and not prison time; a shock to some, but I knew it was God. I was to be released when housing was open. Basically no one knew when, till bam, I was out and within twenty minutes, Jon was there to pick me up.
Three Oaks is a light house for those who are lost at sea. Without them, I would still be lost in the sea hoping that I won’t run aground. Since I’ve been out, I’ve been plugged into an awesome church. They have given me the opportunity to prove I’m no longer the person who committed that crime. James has upgraded my wardrobe from metal band t-shirts to Tommy Hilfiger. James and Jon have also been on hand to answer any question I may have about the Bible, God, or life in general. The people of Three Oaks loved me from the very beginning. I’m not just a convict to them I’m a brother and friend.…"we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:5
Christ-Centered Change (CCC) has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had no idea that most of my suffering was my choice. The thoughts we think have a direct consequence on how we feel, if they are not put in check, that is. That’s what this class has taught me, taking captive the very source of fear, anger, pride, denial etc. CCC is a very close group of people. I know I can share anything with them and won’t be judged in any way. Just recently, I was in the hospital with a bad appendix and, being five hundred miles from my family, I was really scared and alone. When I got out of the hospital, my classmates picked me up and
took me to get my meds. James has entrusted me with pioneering the Business Program.
Essentially, I’m given the opportunity to own my own business. He’s training me, providing all the equipment and my first client. With this program, in about a year or so, I would have saved enough money (with his help) to get my own equipment and take over. I still can’t get over the fact that he met me in jail. God is really awesome; there is no way any man could have set this in motion. From convict to trusted friend in this short amount of time, I’m truly blessed. Today is November 4, 2009, four days shy of eight months since I was arrested and cared nothing of God. Three days shy of four months since I got out of jail and met James. Four months! That’s it! I’m still taken back at the thought that there are people out there who can passionately love someone who has done the things I have. The men and women of Three Oaks see through all the baggage we so desperately hold onto and love you the way God intended for us to love one another.
none of that mattered now. Atheism won't comfort you when you're all alone, but God was right there and, since I was raised in a Christian family, I knew this was true. I broke down and pleaded with God, saying, “I know what I have done is unforgiveable, but please God, help me. Forgive me although I don’t deserve it.”
He did. Looking at three years and a ton of probation, I decided I was going to move back to Washington and start over with my family. This was my plan until one afternoon I went to a presentation for Three Oaks. James caught my attention right away; this man truly cared for each individual in the room. As he explained the programs, I knew I wasn’t going back to Washington. Nope, I was going to stay Idaho and be a part of this. I went to
sentencing and the judge gave me probation and not prison time; a shock to some, but I knew it was God. I was to be released when housing was open. Basically no one knew when, till bam, I was out and within twenty minutes, Jon was there to pick me up.
Three Oaks is a light house for those who are lost at sea. Without them, I would still be lost in the sea hoping that I won’t run aground. Since I’ve been out, I’ve been plugged into an awesome church. They have given me the opportunity to prove I’m no longer the person who committed that crime. James has upgraded my wardrobe from metal band t-shirts to Tommy Hilfiger. James and Jon have also been on hand to answer any question I may have about the Bible, God, or life in general. The people of Three Oaks loved me from the very beginning. I’m not just a convict to them I’m a brother and friend.…"we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor 10:5
Christ-Centered Change (CCC) has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had no idea that most of my suffering was my choice. The thoughts we think have a direct consequence on how we feel, if they are not put in check, that is. That’s what this class has taught me, taking captive the very source of fear, anger, pride, denial etc. CCC is a very close group of people. I know I can share anything with them and won’t be judged in any way. Just recently, I was in the hospital with a bad appendix and, being five hundred miles from my family, I was really scared and alone. When I got out of the hospital, my classmates picked me up and
took me to get my meds. James has entrusted me with pioneering the Business Program.
Essentially, I’m given the opportunity to own my own business. He’s training me, providing all the equipment and my first client. With this program, in about a year or so, I would have saved enough money (with his help) to get my own equipment and take over. I still can’t get over the fact that he met me in jail. God is really awesome; there is no way any man could have set this in motion. From convict to trusted friend in this short amount of time, I’m truly blessed. Today is November 4, 2009, four days shy of eight months since I was arrested and cared nothing of God. Three days shy of four months since I got out of jail and met James. Four months! That’s it! I’m still taken back at the thought that there are people out there who can passionately love someone who has done the things I have. The men and women of Three Oaks see through all the baggage we so desperately hold onto and love you the way God intended for us to love one another.
I heard about Three Oaks when I was in jail. I felt real love in the presentation and knew I needed that. Not only did they pick me up from jail, but also gave me a family when I had none. Three Oaks has shown me many things about myself, good qualities and bad ones, and is teaching me to accent the good as well as recognize and change the bad. And for that, I am truly grateful.
Greg H.
Greg H.
During my time as a co-leader in Life Hurts God Heals, I got to experience first hand God's goodness and faithfulness. I got to see God open up the hearts and minds of young ladies and speak truth through the teachings and encouragement from the leaders themselves into specific situations. I got to witness real life honesty, confession and healing for the willing and broken hearts that we got to work with. God took some people from not having any interest in a relationship with God to opening their heart to the possibility of Him being real and desiring a relationship with them. I got to witness the ladies in serious situations learning how to reach out and ask for help for maybe the first time in their lives and see God's grace all over the situation, no matter how big or small it seemed to them at the time. I got to see these young ladies have fun and be honest and non-judgmental of each other, coming to a mutual understanding that we are all in the process of healing together.
This was by far one of the best experiences of my life and God taught me so much through the class as well.
Elyce S.
This was by far one of the best experiences of my life and God taught me so much through the class as well.
Elyce S.
