“I never imagined it would be possible for me to have a normal life,” says Steven. Stuck in a “gang mentality,” he believed the rest of his years would be an endless round of doing drugs and doing time. “But God had another plan for me.”
When Steven was released from prison last year, he managed to stay away from drugs for a while. But he soon found himself falling back into old habits. “I just kept going downhill until I got to UGM.” He says.
After joining our New Life Fellowship program, Steven began to see God’s plan unfold before him. “When I got here, I was a practicing Muslim. UGM showed me nothing but love, even though I wasn’t a Christian. I saw how everybody was living and it started to work inside me,” he recalls. “About two months ago, I accepted Jesus into my life. It’s been an eye-opening experience, transformational. My whole thought process is different.”
Steven says the most valuable lesson he has learned is how to challenge his false beliefs. “It turns your world upside down, but for good! I was an addict and a gang member, but I’m not defined by that anymore. I’m defined in Jesus Christ as a child of God. Learning that was a big thing for me.”
After he graduates from the program, Steven plans to attend college and eventually pursue a recovery ministry – goals that would have been unreachable without help from friends like you. “We’re so blessed with everything we have at The Mission,” he tells us. “Things are falling into place. I’m just thankful to be here!”
Check out other stories of hope in our upcoming newsletter and on our blog, 365 Days of Hope.
1 thought on “God Had Another Plan”
I am so thankful that God lead you to UGM. On the day you called me to let me know where you were was the best, but worst day of my life. I truly beleived you were dead or taken and would never see you again. I can’t explain the pain, hate and hopelessness I felt. The last visit when Steve and I came to pick you up from jail, I was so worried about where you were heading and didn’t know how to help you. I just prayed every day that God would watch over you and keep you safe.
Steven I am so proud of what you have accomplished and of the man you have become. I love you with all my heart.