The Well | Drug abuse Archives

Mez (Ireland)

February 26, 2020
Childhood Childhood, abandoned Childhood, from an alcoholic home Childhood, moved around a lot Childhood, neglected Childhood, traumatic Childhood, unloved Childhood, wealthy Drug abuse Drug abuse Drug abuse, addiction Drug abuse, addiction Family Family, unloving Imprisonment Parents Parents, neglected Uncategorized
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Meet Mez

Mez’ had an extremely traumatic childhood and he spent his early adult life behind bars. God sent a faithful Christian into Mez’s life to love him and share the gospel with him. Mez turned to Christ and now he’s passionate about pursuing marginalized people in society with the love of Jesus.

Mez describes the extremely dysfunctional family from which he came and how he was abandoned in a box as a two-year-old. He lived in over 30 homes and shelters until ending up on the streets as a teenager. Mez became a drug user aged 12, then becoming a drug dealer by his later teenage years. Mez’ choices resulted in his imprisonment in a maximum-security prison.

While living on the streets, Mez was approached by Christians who shared the gospel with him. At the time Mez responded with hostility. However, while in prison one of the same Christians offered Mez a home to go to for his parole. It was in this Christian home, reading the Bible and Bible commentaries, where Mez accepted he was a sinner and turned to Christ.

God has radically changed Mez’ life. He went to Bible college and got married. God has also given him a heart to reach the most socially excluded groups in society with the Gospel. Mez has set up a church in Northern Brazil among prostitutes and street children. He has also started a church in one of the most economically deprived areas of Scotland. His desire is to train up others to take the Gospel to people living in extreme poverty.

Gospel

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Mez’ story was produced by Together for the Gospel (T4G).

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Tags: Childhood - abandoned, Childhood - fostered, Childhood - from an alcoholic home, Childhood - unstable, Christian ministry life - evangelist, Christian ministry life - missionary, Christian ministry life - pastor, Christians - dislike or hostility, Drug abuse, Drug addiction, Drug dealing, Father - rejection, Homelessness, Imprisonment, Mother - rejection, Sex industry, Sheltered accommodation, Sin - accepting I'm a sinner, The Bible, The gospel (God's message to the world), The gospel - don't know it

February 26, 2020 0

Paul (Scotland)

Meet Paul

Paul, from an economically deprived area of Scotland, shares how he went from being a “hopeless” drug and alcohol addict to a lover of Jesus and trainee church planter.

Paul grew up in a housing scheme with many social problems. At the time of high-school he started dabbling in alcohol and drugs. This spiraled out of control in Paul’s adult years as he became a cocaine user and an addict to alcohol and drugs.

Paul describes how he hit rock bottom, becoming nothing more than a “shell of a man”. It was then he became a resident of a recovery center and heard the gospel that Jesus died for his sins. Paul was also very struck by the love of the staff for him.

Paul wanted forgiveness for his sins and the chance to start over. He repented of his sins and trusted in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. God radically changed Paul and the direction of his life. He is no longer an addict and instead is training to be a church planter so he can bring the good news of Jesus Christ to other people living in tough housing schemes in Edinburgh.

Gospel

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Paul’s story was produced by 20Schemes, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

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Tags: Alcohol addiction, Childhood - from a crime neighborhood, Christian ministry life - evangelist, Christian ministry life - pastor, Drug abuse - cocaine, Drug addiction, God - forgiven by God, Hopelessness, Purpose of life, Scotland, Sin - forgiveness, UK, Unstable life

February 26, 2020 0

Jeff (USA)

Meet Jeff

Jeff grew up in Japan and had an outstanding career in martial arts. Yet he did not feel satisfied. He became a very hard drug user and sacrificed home life with his wife and newborn. On one occasion Jeff found he had overdosed on ecstasy. He called out to God and his overdose symptoms subsided. He continued living a reckless existence until he found himself homeless and penniless. At rock bottom, without any distractions, he opened up the Bible and began reading. He understood the gospel for the first time and asked Jesus to be his Lord as well as his Savior. Jesus has turned Jeff’s life around.

Gospel

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This story was produced by Anchored North, Anaheim Hills, California, USA.

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Tags: Alcohol abuse, Debt, Drug abuse, Drug abuse - cocaine, Drug abuse - ecstasy, Drug abuse - overdose, Drug addiction, Home loss, Success - martial arts, The Bible – curiosity, The gospel (God's message to the world), Unfulfillment

October 26, 2019 0

Gordon (South Africa)

Meet Gordon

Gordon put on a front while feeling empty and having very low self-esteem. His life spiraled into drug and alcohol addiction, as well as pornography use and sex. Nothing gave satisfaction. Gordon reached a very low point and was about to take drugs again after completing rehab. But Jesus Christ stopped him and showed him how much He loved him. Gordon placed his faith in Jesus and knows he’s washed clean from his sin. He has found true satisfaction in Christ, is no longer an addict, and has peace and hope for his life.

Gospel

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This story was produced by Common Ground Church, Capetown, South Africa.

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Tags: Alcohol addiction, Drug addiction, Emptiness, Fulfillment, God's love, Hopelessness, Low self-esteem, Peace, Pornography use, Searching for answers, Sexual life - promiscuity

April 27, 2019 0

Julz (Australia)

Meet Julz

Julz talks about growing up in a very religious environment but not having any connection to God. She talks about some of the sins that have characterized her life including drug abuse. Julz regarded herself as a very bad person. She learned about the gospel and how Jesus took on her sins so that she could have His perfect life record. Julz believed this truth, and she describes how emotional it made her feel. Julz talks about the joy and hope of living with God in her life.

Gospel

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This story was produced by MBM Rooty Hill, Sydney, Australia.

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Tags: Alcohol abuse, Approval from others, Drug abuse, God - relying on God, Jesus' death, Jesus' life on earth, Lying, My Christian life – coping with trials, Religious life - rule following, Salvation - declared righteous by God, Sin - feeling unclean, Sin - too far gone, The gospel - applying it to me, The gospel - don't know it

March 4, 2019 0

Pat (USA)

Meet Pat

Pat shares he wasn’t very interested in spiritual things as a young person. He relied on drugs and experienced difficulties early in his married life. Pat describes how he started to become interested in spiritual things through a brother and co-worker. He trusted in Christ, and his interest in spiritual things continued to grow. He went to Bible college and became a pastor. Pat shares about the sudden death of his young first wife, and how God gave him hope and strength. God blessed Pat with his second wife and their large blended family. Pat shares some anguishes as a father, but rests in God’s plan and God’s control.

Gospel

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This story was produced by Saylorville Church , Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

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Tags: Broken-hearted, Christian ministry life - pastor, Coping with tragedy, Drug abuse, Drug abuse - marijuana, God - relying on God, God's plan for me, Marriage – problems, Spiritual curiosity, Spirituality - don't care, The Bible – curiosity, Wife - death

February 21, 2019 0

Jennifer (USA)

Meet Jennifer

Jennifer started life as a God-hater. She was sexually molested by someone in her church growing up, and she resented God because of her parents jokes that she was supposed to be a boy and God had made a mistake. In her emotional pain, Jennifer turned to drugs and ended up living life on the streets. She was arrested for drug possession and robbery. She went to prison aged 22. Jennifer says prison was the best thing that ever happened to her because she found Jesus Christ there and He freed her from her bondage to sin. Jennifer describes the awesome ways God has changed her thinking and her ways. She is now very active in ministry life.

(Jennifer’s story is presented in the first 20 minutes of the video. Her story is part of a conference presentation including other women who received Christ in prison).