I grew up in church, raised by parents who did their best to keep me and my sisters in the house of God. I asked Jesus into my heart at nine, was baptized at twelve, and thought I was living the right kind of life.

In high school, I wanted to fit in with the “popular crowd.” That meant sneaking out, going to parties, lying to my parents, drinking on weekends, and smoking weed. Soon pain pills entered the picture, then heroin. My choices led me to lose my family, my kids, and the life I thought I had. I was just trying to fill a void with things that only made it worse.

When I came to **A Better Way Ministries**, it wasn’t like the normal intake. I arrived in the evening and went straight into Grace House. The structure here was hard at first. Waking up at 4:45 AM, living with so many rules that kept me uncomfortable—it was challenging, but it grounded me. It reminded me every day that no matter how hard life seems, God’s got me, and He’ll see me through.

Over the last 18 months, I’ve seen God answer prayers I never thought possible. One of the biggest was the restoration of my family. He’s given me back more than I could’ve imagined.

The Brotherhood here has been life-changing. We all come from different walks of life, but we’re all broken, all at the end of ourselves. Even if I’m not going through the exact same thing as another brother, I can relate to his pain. And when I need someone, I’ve got brothers who will listen, pray with me, and walk alongside me. That kind of love and accountability is something I’ve never had before.

Florida was a powerful experience. To be baptized in the ocean with my brothers—publicly declaring my love for God and committing to walk as His disciple—was unforgettable. The atmosphere, the purpose of why we were there, and the bond we shared made it one of the most special moments of my life.

The biggest things I’ll carry with me are my devotion and prayer life. Starting every day with God has changed me. Programs like *Restore Your Heart* helped me uncover pain I didn’t even know I was carrying—and now, instead of numbing it with substances, I bring it to Jesus.

These 18 months have been the best of my life. My relationship with the Lord has grown deeper than ever before. I’ve made brothers here I’ll never lose touch with. And I now know I have a best friend in Jesus who will walk with me, carry me through the fire if needed, and never let me go.

A Better Way Ministries — From Heartbreak, Heroin, and Jail to Obedience, Brotherhood, and Real Change (Allan’s Testimony)