Changed Lives ...

My Journey to Freedom group really bonded, and was just what I needed to get me out of my isolation. It was so good that we continued for two more months studying Chip Dodd's book, Voices of the Heart. It doesn't stop there! I'll be attending my third meeting with my Power to Choose group this Monday night. I can't imagine it could get any better than this! With the great leadership, our members are all emailing each other with prayer requests, personal accounts of struggles and testimonies of how God is redeeming all that woundedness. Accountability is strong, and Satan is not getting the victory here!
R.G.

Alcoholism has been a curse in my family for generations, but I never knew what that meant to me until I attended Restore’s program. All I knew was that I was carrying emotional baggage that had hurt me as a child, and I wanted to spare my kids from experiencing the same pain. In attending Restore, I quickly realized I was carrying around a lot of anger and resentment, along with feelings of inadequacy - as if I didn't measure up. I found that Restore provides the practical accountability and equipping along with gut-level honesty that one would hope for when dealing with such personal issues. On my own, I would most likely pass on to my kids the same hurts that had been handed down to me. But today I am a better father, husband and Christian for going through Restore's program.
Steve Wilson, Husband, Father, Bible teacher

I first learned of Restore when my church became a host for their program and I felt a little nudge to help out with this ministry. In my mind’s eye I could see myself helping in the kitchen with refreshments or some other task, because I could not see how else I could help. I did not feel I had anything from which I needed to recover, but God saw things differently. Through the Restore process, God revealed a side of me I was not willing to face on my own - an underlying anger that impacted my life spiritually and relationally. He then walked me through the process of recognizing the damage I was doing to myself and to others so that I could seek the healing that could only be granted by Him. Because of how my life has been changed, I would challenge anyone to consider participating in Restore's program.
Christy Gardner, Mother and Homemaker

When I arrived on the doorstep of Restore I had just been asked by my wife to leave my house because of my infidelity, substance and alcohol abuse, and numerous glaring character defects. Anxiety ridden, music career in shambles, disconnected from God and full of shame and fear, I began working Restore's program. Slowly the process broke me open to surrender. Learning humility and honesty, and bonding with a group of men like myself brought me out of my isolation. Sobriety became a reality. Today, I am slowly, by the grace of God, restoring my marriage, my dignity and my integrity. I go to meetings and call my sponsor daily. God is definitely doing for me what I could not do for myself.
Chris Cedzik, Musician, Hit Songwriter

At the time I went through Restore's program, I was desperately trying to find the person inside of myself. Over the years, life's experiences had made many of my choices for me. I knew who I was for everyone else, but Restore helped me connect with myself, something I had never been able to do before. I almost didn't take the program because I thought it was only for people addicted to drugs and alcohol. But I ended up in a group with people struggling with issues that were similar to my own. For one reason or another we were all searching for a way to get over our fears, to learn to be honest with ourselves, and to accept situations that are out of our control with a free spirit. Through the program I found out who I was. I found freedom from living according to what others expected for me. I learned I didn't have to be a martyr. And I learned to lighten up and enjoy life. Restore has definitely been a life changing experience, and one that I am incredibly grateful for.
Deborah Walker, Nutrition Coordinator for Board of Education