Held Captive, Set Free

Ever wonder how and why someone could walk away from mercy? Have you tried to help someone and they only seemed to become more angry with you? Here at Faith Discipleship Center (FDC), we have seen many residents leave unadvised. The last few months have been difficult – loaded with many disappointments and hair-pulling situations. Even in all that, the Lord is prevailing among certain souls! I shall testify to both.

In the first two months of my time here, I witnessed two men make foolish choices in words and actions which caused their dismissal. Grieved and discouraged, I wondered whether I was in the right place. Then in October of 2016, Jesus was speaking to me through a conference the entire FDC attended in Michigan. He was confronting one of my passions. He spoke this to me: “You must care for the residents to the point where it causes you pain to see their pain.” Up to that point my self-protective pride was keeping me from deeply caring about the men in my flock. I did not want to feel the pain of disappointment if one of them failed. It was good of the Father to give a clear word about that and I clung to my commitment.

One man, fresh out of jail, arrived at FDC repentant and ready to draw close to Jesus. I discipled him, and the Lord grew us both through this relationship. I saw things in him that mirrored my own weaknesses, which helped me to repent and continue helping him. In the course of time, this man got a job, and at this point his passion for work started to replace his passion for Jesus. When I confronted him about this, he didn’t hear me. His passion for Jesus never did re-emerge. A couple months before graduation, his grandmother died, and his faith was tested. We were all rooting for him to finish this program, but he decided to leave a month early. When our passion isn't for Jesus, life’s problems become insurmountable; however, when Jesus is our passion, we become willing to do just about anything – even a 9-month program.

David D

Even among many disappointments there are tokens of encouragement. Not all is doom and gloom. David D, who arrived shortly after the previous described resident proved that it is a small world. I had met his mother and step-dad through friends in Wisconsin before I ever moved to Iowa. There was no referral on my part, but just a surprise to them and me. It was very ironic and most comforting to have a fellow Wisconsinite among us. David has been an exemplary resident, helping others with fitness and diet regimens, and setting a good example by taking the program seriously. Let's hear it from him.

My name is David and I have been a resident at the Faith Discipleship Center in Oelwein, IA for close to eight months, with completion of the program slated for May 2017.

I grew up in a mid-sized city in Wisconsin where alcohol is a major factor in many social events. I attended college in Wisconsin, and alcohol became a lifestyle. After graduating, it followed me in my career path and as a single male, going out to drink socially and meet women were one in the same.

The Three Amigos

My professional career led to opportunities in traveling. In conjunction, my use of alcohol became more prominent in everyday life, yet I was not aware of the grip it had taken on me. Without acknowledging it, alcohol quickly became my adviser and my drinking morphed into an addiction.

My increased consumption rapidly led to a divorce and loss of employment. My supportive family urged me to get professional help, but I believed that I could handle it on my own terms. The addiction became cyclical, and my short periods of sobriety would end with long terms of binge drinking. I finally needed to get honest and reach out for help.

I moved to Iowa late last summer to begin a new approach in my recovery journey at Faith Discipleship Center. I came in a few weeks after Joel came on board as staff at FDC. Since I met Joel, there has been a lot of learning experiences that I’ve been able to glean from him. There have been times when things became difficult and he has provided an insight from a different perspective. He has taught the men here at the center about grace, mercy, and forgiveness from his personal viewpoint and experiences. I am grateful that God led Joel to FDC and the example that he has displayed from which we have learned. God uses everything for His glory and in the end He will receive the Glory.

My newfound hope and trust is not based on psychology or clinical diagnosis, as much as I respect them. There is a promise of hope for anyone dealing with any type of addiction and that promise is Jesus Christ. I have finally realized that He has been the answer which I have been seeking.

Subaru Drivers

Even though the enemy has taken many souls captive (2 Tim 2:26), Jesus has commanded us not be afraid, because we are to catch men back (Luke 5:11). The same Greek word is used in both verses: zogreo. The word means to take alive, to capture or ensnare. The world and the prince of this world has taken souls captive by the stimulation of the flesh – a subtle lie. Sin is pleasurable for a season, but after a while, (hopefully) one realizes what he has traded for this fleeting pleasure. Ultimately a man can trade his very soul – his unique identity. It is not worth it. Please, pray for the staff and residents at FDC. Pray that the Lord would free us to love Jesus with more of our hearts.

Thank you,

Joel Huebner