As I look back over 2020, the difficulties were real, but God’s Grace was present. Together we completed the Achievement Center renovations, providing space for 108 new participants in three additional programs. Praise God, because we now have licensed drug and alcohol treatment on campus. The new boiler system is running and the parking lot is completed. We doubled our staff and expanded the governing board. There is so much for which to be thankful.
There is nothing wrong with a victory lap but we are far from the finish line. God intends to use this campus to reach the hearts of His people. Holidays can often be a hopeless time for those coming out of prison and recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Many struggle with depression during a season when others feel joy. For the heartbroken, the absence of joy only increases their pain. Holidays reinforce the idea that they are not worthy of being loved and amplify the brokenness from past choices.
In 2002 I was strung out on cocaine trying to numb the pain I inflicted upon myself and my family. In 2004 I was facing the reality of my addiction to drugs and my life long criminal lifestyle as I sat in a prison cell, unable to break the cycle of incarceration. My mind was plagued with endless thoughts that my life was not worth living. In 2005 I finally surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Soon after, I was introduced to men volunteering in the FreedomWorks prison ministry. As they poured their lives and hearts into me, my faith started to increase, my spirit started to strengthen and I felt hope for the very first time.
Today, you have the opportunity to bring Hope to the hopeless and Love to the broken hearted by financially sponsoring the remaining bed spaces in the last of five new individual program areas we now offer on our campus. These beds are desperately needed for those coming out of prison, homeless and just starting to break the chains of addiction. The beds provide us the ability to house participants at their point of pain while simultaneously introducing them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I truly believe the majority of men who enter FreedomWorks are building a future of Hope.
— George Lang
