Todd Childers

                My name is Todd Childers and I am 22 years old from Weiner, AR, and I am a Christian. I have not been a Christian all my life.  My story is a little different than your common person sitting on a church pew all their lives. In high school, I started drinking and doing drugs at the age of 16. I was on the basketball and baseball team doing the sports thing. When you did that you were suppose to be cool, and do what all the cool people did. I did the things they did and the first time I did drugs I was scared to death. After the first time you do it that fear goes away and you do not even think about it anymore. I made it through high school with good grades, and was able to hold things together. I went to college and got caught up in the college lifestyle, the parties, lying out all night, not going to class. College soon ended for me, quit going to class, got bad grades and dropped out. Once I dropped out of school I did not worry about finding a job. I just worried about hanging out and having fun. Trying drugs and doing drugs got to be an everyday thing. When I woke up that is what I thought about. What I was going to do that day, and what drugs I was going to find that day. It took about five years for that to get old. I had tried about all the drugs, and liked every one of them.

        I started to notice that things were not happening in life like normal people. Like getting a job, getting married, and having a family. The things were happening to me were losing a job, never having any money, losing relationships, and I realized it was because of drugs. I realized I needed to change, so I told my mom that drugs were a problem. I could not quit on my own. I thank God for my family being there for me through all the times I had wronged them, and stole from them. I acted like I didn’t need them, but as soon as I needed help they were right there to help me. They helped me find out about this place called John 3:16.

            When I came to the ministry for the first time, I did not get accepted. I came out here for a Bible study, and Bryan said, ”show up a couple of times, and we will talk to you too see what we think about you.” When I showed up on the camp, I did not know what I was going to see, but it was totally different than what I expected. It was guys just like me that had been down the same road I had. There was something different about them that I did not have. I could see it on their faces and the way the carried themselves. I think it was love. They were not searching anymore they had found what they needed in their lives. That’s what I wanted, so I decided I needed to get into this place. I showed up every Sunday and every Bible study for a month. I told Bryan, I really wanted to be here, so he accepted me in. Since I got into the ministry, I let the Lord guide my actions and directions. I learned all about the Lord and the Bible. I learned how to overcome temptation, and about things that can lead you away from the Lord.

             Through the ministry, I got to go to the Unity House. Where a man can be single and make a living. Then go out work, and make money. Then when you do go out in the world you have your footing and foundation. The biggest asset to me was the Unity House. I was able to go out in the mornings and work. Interact with the world but still come home to the guys, and the support of the ministry. I learned how to deal with the world, and how to act in certain situations. I was able to let people know I had changed, and was not the person I used to be.

                    When I finally thought it was time for me to leave, and God had lined things up for me. There was no question in my mind God had given me a job and a place to live from supporters of the ministry. I went to college again, and my family is back together. Things are going forward and it’s been seven months now since I left the Unity House. I still have not used drugs or alcohol, but I have been tempted too.  I think staying in church and doing things here at the ministry are what keeps me from falling. I know it is never going to be easy. Temptations will always be there. It is never easy for a Christian, but there are so many things you can do to escape those temptations. You have to stay away from it, and be around other Christians. Since I have got out, I have gone back to my church at home, and become a big part of my church services. I am still going to school and looking to get a degree in physical therapy. I still have the same job. I am very thankful for the things the Lord has done for me, and what he has given me. I am thankful for the ministry, and the people that are involved in it, and the supporters who have helped me.

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