BRCC story: Sarah's Journey

For years Sarah kept her pain locked inside. She struggled with addiction, depression, anger, and bitterness. Sarah experienced a string of broken relationships, repeated relapses in her drug addiction, incarceration, and homelessness coupled with prostitution. Hers is a story of redemption that began as she faced the reality of her life. As she explains... 

My sister who's a BRCC attendee went to as k a prayer counselor to pray for me. I truly believe that was the turning point in my life. 

I left rehab and thanked God that my sister was willing to let me live with her family. I began attending NA meetings and found a sponsor. I started praying in the morning and before I went to sleep. Slowly, but surely, God began helping me. 

Without God I don't know where I would be now-probably dead. My past thinking had always led me to the streets, doing whatever I had to do to stay high. I have worked hard physically, emotionally, and spiritually to get to where I am today. I know I'm not doing this alone-the glory goes to God. 

I just celebrated 2 years of being clean and sober on August 9th! Praise God! Without him and the people He's placed around me, I wouldn't have anything. My loving Father has given back to me what was stolen. I am building relationships with people who actually care about me and love me. Most importantly, I have a growing relationship with Christ. 

God is now turning my pain and experiences into something beautiful. I can share with others who are hurting. I am living proof that there is a way out and a chance to live again. Turn to Jesus and cry your heart out to him; He will hear it. It hasn't always been easy. In fact, living sober has been very hard. But I am learning more every day. I know I never have to give up and I love who I am becoming in Christ!

A BRCC story: Josh's Journey

 Josh's mantra was sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He was a member of a rock band that partied hard and heavy. One day it all fell apary. Josh's dreams were shattered. Ultimately he became a drummer at BRCC. Read an excerpt of Josh's story below: 

One day my friends/bosses, Jason and Shelly Miller, invited me to BRCC. So I wore my best jeans and a button-down shirt with a tie! I remember standing for worship and checking out the band. The drummer had a sleeve of tattoos and his hair was in dreads. Scott and Corey led with the song, "Show Me How to Live" by Audioslave. I realized now that God used the music to stir something in my heart that hadn't been there in thirty years. 

As a result, I expressed to my wife Loryll, that I wanted to try out for the worship team. Later, I was invited to be a drummer on the worship team. Not long after that, I was baptized by Scott at BRCC.

I would like to say that since I've come back into God's loving arms that I'm healed. I would like to say that my issues with alcohol and lust are gone. I would like the say that my life is just so much easier now that I'm saved. But I can't. Actually, in many ways my life now if much harder than before. Sometimes I'm more confused, angry and introverted than I've ever been in my whole life. And scared... did i mention scared? Scared that I'll fail my wife, children, friends, family, myself, my God! I'm at a point in my walk with Christ where the honeymoon's over!

I'm entering into a recovery step-study at BRCC and I'm scared to death about what I'm going to learn about myself or what others will learn about me. Sometimes I wonder if I'll have the strength to go through with it. I wish I could wrap this up as one big happy ending, but I can't at this time. I'll continue to pray and be faithful to my God because He has always been faithful to me. 

Jesse Dominguez - from prison to worship leader

Jesse was sentenced to prison in 2002 because of drugs and alcohol. While incarcerated, Jesse asked a friend's father to pray for him. The friend's father, who attends BRCC, told him that he mattered to God and that his life could be different. Once released from prison, Jesse attended BRCC. Over time, he surrendered to Christ and was freed from his addiction. Jesse met his wife, Christian at a BRCC weekend service. They were married and have a beautiful daughter, Jasenya. He is now the worship leader at the downtown campus. 

George Toe - A family torn apart

George is a teenager from Liberia. He had no health care, clean water, or access to public education. He was deserted by his father and forces to beg to provide for his family. Later, his mother became seriously ill. Because George could not afford treatment, she died. George was heartbroken and homeless. Then, he met Pastor Gyamfi. With assistance from LIberia Now and Beautiful Feet, Pastor Gyamfi provided him food, shelter, and a scholarship to attend school. He thanks God for providing him a future and a hope through Liberia Now and BRCC's Beautiful Feet.