Promise Land Ministries Lighthouse

Joe W.

Hi, my name is Joe and I am an alcoholic. This is the way most people have to take care of their alcohol and drug problems. I don't.

Several years ago I found myself with a serious alcohol and drug problem. I tried rehab, AA, NA, and CA. There was just no way for me to stay sober and clean, my wife died in 1991 and the problems escalated, I was driving semi truck for a major company making good money but it was all going for dope or liquor. I tried everything I could and nothing worked. I finally decided that there was no hope and as long as I could work, I wouldn't worry about it. When I got to where I couldn't work would be the time enough to sweat it. When the end finally came, I was on a run through Tallahassee and on Monday I couldn't drive. The owner of the truck had it picked up and just like that, I was out of work with no money in a strange town. I tried to kick in a truck stop on my own but, I just got sicker. I started looking for help but every program was full except one. In the phone book under drug treatment, was Promise Land Ministries. I called and spoke to someone who said they would call me back and thank God they did. They said that someone would pick me up and pretty shortly, one of the happiest people I ever met picked me up. This person was Bro. Glenn Hamel, a man I am blessed to be able to call my friend. All the way home he talked about God and Jesus and I wondered what have I got into now? When we got there I was treated like family and taken care of. We went to church regularly and participated in Bible study. We also worked, because this is a working program. It seemed like every time I turned around, someone was trying to lead me to the lord but I wanted no part of it. All I wanted was to get better...

Everyone loses faith at one point in their lives, but faith can be restored by Christ Jesus, with the Word of the Lord. Jesus can and will restore you. By Christ with faith obedience and trust he will restore you. Don't hold on to all the wrong things you have done in your lives, it just keeps you down. To let the Lord handle everything is you chance to let all the troubles you might be having go, not to bring them up again, so you can move on in your life. Or, did you think your problems would just go away? Barabbas who was released from prison thought he was free. But ended up knowing that he was set free and Christ died for him, and all of us.

Believers are persecuted for a reason, because we know that Christ is the one and only real Savior. If it wasn't true the ones that persecute us wouldn't even bother. There are moments which mark our lives, moments when you realize that nothing will ever be the same. Moments where time is divided into two parts, before this and after this. Before Promise Land and after when you go back into the world. Before Promise Land you were without fellowship, after Promise Land the Lord Fellowships with you.

Luke 9:62

Ted

I was introduced to church and God, when I was 6 yrs old; I was saved and baptized, at the 1st Baptist Church of Southport in Florida, Near Panama City. I thought or was under the influence that when I was saved I would go to heaven. I didn't even understand the meaning of what I was announcing when I was baptized. I was involved in church functions, celebrations, and Sunday school and Wednesday night services. I went to church every time the doors where opened. It was the happiest time in my childhood. Then my parents were divorced for the 2nd time when I was around 9 years old. This was the event which for me began my downward spiral into depression. My outlook on life really was bad. I was always depressed and unhappy, so when I was 10yrs old I began drinking beer with my best friend and skipping school. By the time I was 12 yrs old I had started smoking marijuana. I continued using marijuana all the way through High School by the 11th grade I was selling cocaine and marijuana to support my own habit and lifestyle. This lasted until I was around 28 yrs old. I realized my friends had become dependant on drugs and dependant on me to supply them. Our friendships had become "a drug based friendship" So I quit selling drugs but kept using them. I thought that not selling drugs would rebuild the old friendships I once had. But over there years latter my friends still came by asking for drugs. Usually not staying to visit, but rather leaving on a search for their drug of choice. Life was just as depressing as it had been from my childhood. Life Stunk. My drug use continued, alcohol, marijuana, snorting cocaine, smoking cocaine and basically any drug...

Javeed

I was down and out facing prison time. The State Attorney gave me one option ant at was to go to rehabilitation. Since I had such a problem at another Christian Rehabilitation Program, I didn’t know if Promise Land would be any better. The truth is Promise Land has been great to me and taught me many things. I finally am able to not just read the Bible but understand it as well. I have pride in my work and have built a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, which will follow me throughout my life. I want to personally thank Pastor Glenn Hamel, and Promise Land for showing me Christ and saving my future. One thing Glenn said to me when I first got here was we are a family. This I understand now, we started out as brothers in addiction now we are brothers in Christ. Thank you Promise Land for truly saving my life . I will now have freedom in life and freedom in the after life.

Adrian S.

How am I different or affected by my 8 months at Promise Land.? God promises to lead us on paths we have not known.. or at least, for some, to PATH in Tallahassee, Ha, Ha…

Seriously, little by little, I continue growing in God. I am a little more kind, I do a little more good, I love a little more, I have become a little more gentle, I have a little more patience, I have a little more self control, I have a little more Joy , and a little more peace. Little by little I grow. I have the love and strength of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in me.. He guides and teaches me.

Instead of being worried overly anxious, confused, depressed, angry or afraid… I take it to the Lord. I take it to Him before and sometimes during these times of negative vibes, emotions and reactions that take place.

I think differently. My thought process… I actually have a process now that runs before my mouth does… usually, as opposed to after. I take a moment, usually to process my feelings and thoughts - practice, practice, practice.

I listen more - I don't have to comment on everything- my opinions don't have to be shared, unless I am asked. I see differently… I see things I did not, outside and inside. I look for the good in everyone- and I find it.