Frankie's Story

Growing up, I saw faith in action through my grandma who shared the love of Jesus by how she treated others. I also witnessed that same love through a man who faithfully picked us kids up on the church bus each week. Years later, I encountered him again when he ministered at the jail where I was incarcerated.

In 2020, I moved from just knowing about Jesus to having a relationship with Him and truly seeing Him as my friend. While in jail and participating in a Bible study, I began thinking about baptism. I had always believed that if I was baptized, I would have to live a perfect life, but as I read the book of Acts, I learned that baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. In that moment, I realized I was growing in my walk with Jesus.

After struggling with addiction for years, I decided to seek help. The treatment center I entered partnered with Southeast, who hosted Sunday worship services and offered Spiritual Pathway classes. I began attending both, and even though my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be, I knew God was with me. Three months after entering treatment, I began helping host the weekly services and teach the classes.

God is continuing to teach me to trust Him each day.

Although I was in treatment, I was still facing the possibility of over a decade more in jail. Exactly six months after arriving at the facility, I went to court for my sentencing hearing. Both my spiritual life coach at the treatment center and I spoke to the judge. He said he could see a change in my life and showed me grace. In the end, I served just 30 months.

Both Ronnie and Bill from SE Recovery continued visiting me while I was incarcerated. Their encouragement meant a lot, constantly telling me how proud they were of my progress.

When I first began serving my sentence, I had wanted to continue teaching the Spiritual Pathways classes, but that wasn’t possible. Later, after completing the Substance Abuse Program and being entrusted to serve as a trustee, I asked again. After waiting a year and a half, I was given the opportunity to help other men in the program.

Now out of jail, I am continuing to volunteer there through SE Recovery, teaching and soon hosting Sunday worship services. I will also soon be teaching at other treatment centers.

God is continuing to teach me to trust Him each day. When I share the Gospel with others, they may think that I’m helping them, but really, they’re helping me.

Frankie attends SE Recovery.