The Gospel Rescuer | Blog-site for Gospel Rescue Mission Tucson AZ

Archive for the ‘Recovery programs’ Category

Wes (L) is teaching recovery principles to a student

Wes Shepherd is a tremendous example of God’s grace and His transforming powers. When Wes came to the Mission for help, he had been using drugs for 20 years. Marijuana, Meth, and cocaine took Wes in and out of homelessness and jail. Camping down by the railroad tracks at night, running the streets by day, his life had become a walking death from addiction.

Everyone wrote Wes off, except his mother who faithfully prayed for him. The prayers paid off, as Wes eventually found his way to Gospel Rescue Mission in Tucson. According to Wes, “The love I received at the Mission did not depend on anything I did and it never changed. They cared for me and loved on me in ways I’d never known. I learned that if you are willing to admit that you made a wreck of your life, then it was possible to let God do something to change it. And He did. God has transformed every area of my life, especially my relationships with my family. Today I am clean and sober and I am married for just over 2 years.”

God reached deep into Wes’ life, helping him come to grips with the hurts and scars from his past and the disappointments he created through his choices, actions, and addictions. Wes realized that despite the level to which his life had deteriorated, it wasn’t too late to turn his life over to God. He realized that God, the potter, could remold his life into something useful that could bless others.

When Wes graduated from the Mission residential recovery program about 5 years ago, he was hired as a life skills instructor and Bible teacher. He began sharing lessons and Scripture that helped change his life with the other men in the recovery program. Having lived life on the streets, he was able to relate to the men in ways that others were unable. They listened intently to what he shared. Changes began to take place in their lives as well.

In addition to teaching classes, Wes facilitates a Genesis Process recovery group with about 6-8 men. The Genesis Process recovery materials are used internationally in Christian faith based recovery programs. The materials combine principles and processes of healing from addictions with scripture.

Working at the Mission gave Wes a desire to do even more to help others who are homeless or in recovery. So, Wes purchased a large home and opened a transitional home for men in December 2006. Not only is it an affordable housing opportunity for the men, but Wes offers classes to teach the men how to live wise, responsible, moral, and lawful lives. After the success of the first home, Wes bought and opened a 2^nd transitional home. He hopes to open 2 more in the near future. Over 70 men have already benefitted from his transitional houses.

If all of this isn’t enough to help others and to keep Wes busy, Wes also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Turn Your Life Around recovery agency. The agency assists men and women to sustain recovery from drug and alcohol addiction through outpatient counseling and services including, individual and group counseling, recovery support groups, life skills training, SMART Recovery, 12 Step meetings, employment services, and peer mentoring.

One of the programs that Wes oversees at the Mission is the Community Service Program. On a weekly basis, Wes takes the men from the recovery program out into the community to perform volunteer service projects. These projects have included helping landscape homes of the elderly, cleaning a neighborhood in Marana that doesn’t have waste management services, assisting a physically handicapped elderly woman pack and move from an upstairs apartment to the first floor, to name a few.

Wes believes that many benefits are derived from doing community service projects. He stated “It helps build character, it moves focus from self to others, and it elevates personal esteem through accomplishment. It ultimately puts faith to practical application by serving others”. The men learn from and enjoy their experiences.

From homelessness and drugs…to recovery and sobriety…to working at the Mission leading and teaching others in their journey of recovery…to providing affordable sober housing…Wes has not only transformed his life but helped hundreds of others to do the same.