Recent Graduate & Full-Time Staff Member

Ed had very few options left when he came to Lighthouse Ministries. After years of drug addictions and poor choices, he was standing in the gap between homelessness and death.

After growing up in a Catholic home, Ed knew the right path and had faith in God. Still, he rebelled against any structure, faith, or authority. He became so deeply involed in drugs that he couldn’t dig himself out. He began stealing from friends and family members, pawning and trading anything he could for another hit.

In early 2008, Ed ended up hiding in a grungy hotel room, hiding from the mob of 15 people trying to break down the hotel door to retrieve their money. He cried out for help while laying on the floor of the dirty bathroom, and, while he didn’t know who he was crying out to, he knows now that it was God that answered his prayers.

When the angry mob finally left, he ran as far and as fast as he could away from the hotel room. He ended up running toward the Lighthouse Ministries Men’s Center, where he stood for hours reading the signs and contemplating if this was where he was supposed to be. One of the Men’s Ministry counselors found him outside and invited him to stay for a few nights in the Rescue Mission or join the One-Stop Care Rehabilitation Program.

Ed chose to join the One-Stop Care Program because he knew it was Christ-based, and he knew that he was ready to surrender. “Not all the burdens went away, but I felt safe. I knew that I would be protected where I was at. From that minute on, there was no question or doubt in my mind.”

Ed has completed the NOVA Program (pictured above), the Internship Program, and the residential program.  He is now a full-time staff member, and he shares an apartment with other recent graduates. He’s paying restitution and following the perameters of a pre-existing probation. Most importantly, he’s happy.

Ed has found purpose in his life – something he struggled with for years. He’s completely free of drugs and alcohol for the fist time in years. “It’s not about the things anymore. It’s more about having a few relationships that are really tight and close – and building a lot of new ones. My whole outlook on what I want to do with the rest of my life is different.”

Though Ed still isn’t sure what the future will hold, he loves the ministry, and he loves working with the customers in the stores. His main goal is just to follow God wherever He leads him. He doesn’t worry about the future, he’s just working on being obedient. “I know that I never want to go back into that hole again. With submission, there was a lot of freedom.”

Ed is also featured in the Lighthouse Ministries video. View it here. >