By ESCAPE Ministries student –

I want to share a story of SURRENDER, a story of God’s GRACE, and how I now live FREE! I used to be a pot-head, a pill popper, an atheist, and a cutter. I was in a really bad place in life. I felt abandoned and alone. I soon learned that life could be different.

When I first joined Escape Ministries I did not want to be there!  Escape is a perfect name for this ministry because it is where I escaped from myself and was introduced to God.

I didn’t know anyone, and I thought nobody cared anyway!  I’m nobody, but something told me to stay.

Willie Watts, the founder of Escape, came to me and told me to attend a Sunday class. In my mind, I was thinking, “You’re funny! Me going to church!  As if I wanted anything to do with church, God, or these people!” I agreed to attend classes, but I stopped going for about a month.

I soon realized I had made a mistake, got in trouble and was forced to attend Escape through community service. I was ashamed and I thought everyone would turn the other way. To my surprise, I was welcomed back with open arms and treated with a LOVE I had never known. I never felt so loved!

T-shirt Art and Design by Artist JP – 1 of One Clothing

That was a year ago and, in that one year, I quit everything harmful I was doing and promised to never cut again.  I had surrendered everything to God. I was in a place in my life where I could trust people again.

My Escape family showed me that I didn’t have to be perfect to be loved. They showed me how GRACE works.

Lexia, Sharing Her Story

This was the beginning of a great journey for me and my life was changed forever! I am building confidence every day.  I finally have a reason to be alive; I finally have true friends and I’m finally happy.  I celebrate life now instead of dreading it!

This is how I walk with Jesus!