Lighthouse Ministries Graduate and Intern

After 28 years of abuse, addictions, and isolation, Nick has found happiness. His journey was a tumultuous one. His parents never lived together. In fact, his father, a long-standing alcoholic, came in and out of his life with little frequency or concern. Nick’s mother was always sick during his childhood. She battled cancer and additional health problems, so he and his brothers were left to care for her, their home, and each other.

His redemption came at school. He was a natural academically, winning a scholarship to Polk Community College in elementary school. The poor neighborhood they lived in didn’t exactly nurture his love of academics, but it did cause him to stand out from his peers. However, as he hit high school, his academic interests started to waver.

Nick’s world was rocked after his mother died in a house fire on his 18th birthday. He stopped caring about anything at that point; passing on his chance go to college and instead chose drugs and alcohol. Though he resented his dad for his alcoholism, he easily took up that lifestyle, bunking with friends during binges.

Five years ago, Nick was hit by a car while he was riding his bike through Lakeland. He sustained massive head injuries that affected his memory and comprehension. Between his injuries and addictions, he was hardly capable of taking care of himself. He was Baker Acted twice when he could no longer handle his issues on his own.

Nick came to Lighthouse in December 2008 with a purpose. He had to get his life together. He came to terms with the Lord, and he’s moving forward with fervent excitement. In fact, the Lord has been restoring parts of Nick’s life he didn’t realize he missed. After starting the NOVA program in our Adult Learning Center, Nick’s passion for learning was re-awakened. He excelled in his classes, regaining memory and comprehension skills he thought were long-lost. He credits God for the restoration of those skills, and for the restoration of his elementary school scholarship. At his graduation from the NOVA program in June 2009, Nick was re-awarded the scholarship he had received as a child. He will be attending the newly minted Polk State College in the fall.

His completion of the NOVA program is just one of Nick’s crowning moments at Lighthouse.  Nick’s dad died in February 2009 of alcohol-related illnesses, and through God’s grace and healing, he has grown to forgive and love the man that fathered him. The bitterness and resentment he felt has been washed away, and he’s thankful for the reconciliation they were able to experience before his death. His father accepted the Lord shortly before his death, and that knowledge has brought Nick unmatched peace.

Nick completed the Lighthouse Ministries residential program in February 2009. He is now a full-time staff member at the Brandon Family Store. He shares an apartment with other recent graduates, and he’s attending classes at Polk State College. “This is the first time in 10 years that I have been happy. The last 10 years of my life, I’ve just been a wreck with the drinking and the drugs. I wasn’t happy. I was trying to find happiness with the addictions, but getting back to God and focusing on myself and being in fellowship with others – I was so isolated in myself with the drinking – I’ve come out of my shell.”