Rock Springs Church
6601 Zebulon Road, Macon
6:30 pm
On October 7th the Rescue Mission, joined by family and friends, celebrated with 12 graduates of our Life-Recovery Program. Each completed over 2,500 hours of recovery care activities on their journey to a transformed life by way of Jesus Christ. The event was so inspiring as our graduates shared stories of life transformation!
MEET OUR GRADUATES
Gabby Bishop
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I plan to stay in transitional housing here at the Mission and get a job.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
When I think of the Mission, I think of it as my home away from home. It is a godly and safe place that provided healing for me.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
Be patient with yourself and the process. Let God in because all things are possible with Him. He is the only one that can change you!
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
I have learned guardrails, and to give everything to God. I know that there will be ups and downs in my life because of what I have learned and experienced here I can leave here changed. I can cope with life now because of the staff, my sisters, and my brothers here at the Rescue Mission. They have lifted me up and shown me what love is. I believe in myself again. Above all, God has given me everything. I am new again. With God, you have it all, and without Him you have nothing.
Corey Dillard
What are your plans after graduating from the program? I plan to stay here for about 90-120 days and try to find a part-time job. I want to try to stay connected with my Mission family.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place? This is a place of grace and transparency. The love here is amazing. They really care about you and want you to change your life. I will always be grateful for the Rescue Mission.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission? Come in and give it a try and be as open as possible. If you really want to change this is the place to be.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future? I plan to stay connected to my mentor and others I have built relationships with. I plan to attend church. I will try to remember that I am not perfect and to just live for the moment.
Danny Cowart
What are your plans after graduating from the program? I am starting over. I plan to stay in contact with people I’ve met here on my journey, go back to work, and spend time with my daughter Phenix.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place? This place has good people. It is a safe place with real people that have been where I used to be. The people here and God have helped me to become a better person.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission? Give this place a chance but you have to want it. You will become a better person with God. The staff here has been where we are and can relate to everything you have been through.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future? I will stay in contact with some of my brothers, remember what I have done here, find a church home, and remember why I came here.
George Leverett
What are your plans after graduating from the program? I plan on getting a job at Frito-Lay. I am going to join Christ Chapel East Church and plan to serve there. I want to volunteer one day out of the week with the Rescue Mission.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place? The Rescue Mission is a wonderful place that helped me out with a lot of things, but most importantly they helped me find my Lord Jesus Christ.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission? If you really want to change for yourself this is a great place for you to find what you need to change. The Mission is a great place to find the Lord Jesus Christ.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future? I learned it’s going to take me, God, and others to live my best life. I can’t do it on my own.
Halee Hughes
What are your plans after graduating from the program? The Lord has told me not to make plans as to where I will be living permanently, but I will be returning home to my family and waiting on Him for instruction.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place? This is a place to get a firm foundation to regain a clear mind, body, and spiritual life with godly guidance and positive people.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission? If you want not only a life change but a place that gives Christ, the time and space to change your heart, come to the Mission. This is not only a rehab or shelter, this is a place of life recovery.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future? I will take with me the positive life changes that become a part of my new life and keep in tune with how to live a happy, healthy life in Christ.
Jimmy Buchanan
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I want to continue to strengthen my relationship with God and plan on living here in Phase III housing.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
The first thing that comes to mind is a second chance. This is the place to heal and gain the tools that you need to live your best life.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
That recovery doesn’t happen in one day. Be patient and trust the process.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
I have learned that I have to put God first and trust in Him. I know He will never put me in a situation that I cannot overcome. I know that I need to stay connected with godly people.
Jonathan Bonner
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I plan to reconnect with my kids and family, continue my walk with the Lord, and finally start living my best life.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
This is a place for second chances, healing, and new beginnings. You can find redemption as well as recovery.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
To believe in yourself and the process. Trust the Lord. You will get out of it what you put into it.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
When faced with stressful situations, pray about them and trust that the Lord will handle them. Because now I truly believe wholeheartedly that PRAYER WORKS!
Keith Mays
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I plan on doing some traveling and enjoying my retirement.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
This place has helped me with my attitude and has guided me to my best life.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
If someone comes to the Mission, they have to remember to do it for themselves, not anyone else. This is truly a wonderful place.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
It has put me closer to God so I have learned if I have a situation arise, I can just give it to God so He can handle it. I’m also learning how to control my attitude better.
Mac McCain
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I plan on utilizing the transitional phase of the program while I continue to strengthen my relationship with God.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
This is the place where I chose to become obedient and to learn to trust God. I also think of the relationships and bonds that I have made with the people along the way.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
I would tell future residents to try and understand that building a relationship and learning to trust God is a process and that it doesn’t happen instantly. So don’t get discouraged. Stay focused and consistent and build as many relationships with as many people as they can.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
As I continue to build my relationship with Christ I plan to stay connected to the Mission and the brothers and sisters I have grown to love and connect with here.
Victoria Fowler
Michael Swaffer
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I plan on living here in Phase III housing, and hopefully getting a job with the Mission.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
If you give this Mission a chance, God will change your life through it.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
Learn to be patient and accept that you don’t know everything because there is so much more to life that we all can learn.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
I plan to use my experiences here to build a new foundation for my life, one that is based on God’s plan for me instead of what I thought was good for me.
Ricky Moore
What are your plans after graduating from the program?
I plan to stay here for a few months to save up money and to continue going to Aspire, a ministry discipleship program my mentor and I attend. I already have a job doing HVAC. I plan on growing my network of positive people, and volunteering here at the Mission whenever possible.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this place?
When I think of the Mission, I think of grace, kindness, and passion for people in need.
What would you tell future residents about the Mission?
Stay true to your commitments, accept people where they are, and gracefully allow yourself to grow through your strife.
How will you use the experiences here to assist you in your future?
I want to use the experiences I gained here to help me, to help others, and also to realize that God sent me here to be there for someone besides myself.
