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Tye grew up with an absent father and a mother struggling with addiction, which led to his experimenting with drugs from a young age. After losing a father figure at 13, Tye went deeper into drug use seeking comfort. Full blown addiction followed, causing him to lose jobs, relationships, and even custody of his daughter.

Despite cycles of getting clean and relapsing, addiction and anger issues persisted. After years of ups and downs his marriage deteriorated to the point of a restraining order and jail time. Feeling hopeless, Tye considered suicide, but knew it wasn’t the answer. A friend encouraged him to seek help at Heartland Recovery’s 12 month program, where Tye quickly learned he needed to fully submit to God. Through faith he found purpose, peace, and the strength to forgive his parents and improve relationships. His marriage is now thriving, and he lives to show Christ’s love through his actions.

James grew up in a family struggling with addiction. During high school, James began experimenting with substances himself, leading to a lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and partying. His addiction escalated to the point where he prioritized alcohol and drugs over his family. “I was choosing going out with friends rather than taking care of my son,” he recalls, “and to me that just didn’t sit right.”

The turning point came after his marriage failed. James realized he wanted to provide his son with the stable home he never had growing up. He enrolled in Heartland Recovery, the same program his biological father came to which helped turn his life around.

Change came slowly as James found God, but the biggest change was witnessing his father’s Christ-like behavior and for that relationship to begin to heal. Over the next 12 months James mended relationships with his family, gained their respect, and most importantly is now able to be there for his son. “I’ll tell you from experience, 12 months means nothing to the rest of your life, so take the time put in the work to know God and become a new creation.”

While Josh was walking through recovery at Heartland in 2023, the fentanyl overdose death rate in the U.S. topped 112,000 in a 12 month period for the first time (according to CDC stats). Josh’s own brush with death came when he overdosed on a combination of drugs, fentanyl being one of them. “I had hardly ever tried it. I didn’t even like to do it, but because I was under the influence of other drugs I did so and overdosed. They had to Narcan me seven times. I know that wasn’t what brought me back to life, but it was the mercy and grace of God.”

Living in an environment at Heartland Men’s Recovery where he experienced the presence of God through the Bible, classes, chapel services, and Church involvement brought Josh to the realization that, “Addiction is not your problem. It’s not the root problem. It’s sin and you need to surrender your life to Christ and repent.” He did just that, and now the shame that was hanging over his life is gone.

Today, Josh is clean and continues to grow in his walk with Christ, pursuing Bible College classes, serving his community, and using the gift of music God has given him. “You have to be intentional about being part part of a church body because we need each other. God will be with you as you walk along with others.”

Congratulations to Josh on completing the Heartland Men’s Recovery 1-year program. Through the generosity of donors, we are able to provide a place without charge to men and women looking for deliverance from bondage. If you know someone who needs help, contact our Admissions office.