Steven Wills, 36, from Kirksville, Missouri, has walked a long road of struggle, addiction, and redemption. Jail and prison became a recurring part of his story, but it was in a county jail that a guard named Jeremiah extended an unexpected hand. “Steven, you want to go home with me tonight?” he asked, leading him to church for the first time. Though the message didn’t take root immediately, it planted a seed. Eventually, after another prison sentence and the loss of his mother, Steven hit rock bottom. In his cell, he cried out to God, and Ezekiel 37:5 spoke directly to him: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again.” That moment marked the beginning of true freedom.
Heartland Recovery became the place where Steven found restoration. “Heartland has really opened my eyes,” he shares. “They gave me a better understanding of who Jesus Christ was.” Through mentorship, accountability, and a deepening faith, he finally grasped what it meant to be a new creation. While not all relationships were restored as he had hoped, his bond with his children has been rebuilt. “Dad, you got your smile back,” they tell him now—a simple phrase that means everything. His encouragement to others in recovery? “A year is worth it for your whole life.” If you’re struggling, take that step—plug into a community that will walk alongside you, be patient with yourself, and trust that God is working, even when you don’t understand.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there is hope. Contact Heartland Recovery today and take the first step toward freedom.