Project Rescue

 

The following passage is about a man who was unprofitable” but became “profitable.” 

 

"I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.”  Philemon 1:10, 11

 

Onesimus changed his life when he was in jail with the apostle Paul.

 

Like the apostle Paul, we are ministering to “unprofitable” souls, helping them to become “profitable.” 

 

 

Will  had a strong desire to become profitable when he was in the jail for 10-months.  However, his attitude took a turn for the worst about 1-month after his release.  The tragedy is that his wife and two children are paying a price for his choice to return to a life of drugs and degradation.  We, view our financial help of Will’s wife and children as benevolence.  We, with your help, let our light so shine before them (and their family members) that they may see our good works and glorify God in heaven!

 

Here is an update on some of the men in our care who have made the transition from “unprofitable” to profitable.”

 

Chris Walden was unprofitable when he came to us almost 2-years ago.  After graduating the program a year ago, he has become a great asset to the program and to the church and to his wife and child.  Chris is serving as one of our program managers.

 

David Wallace was unprofitable when he entered the program about a year ago.  Today he is serving as one of our program managers.  David is also growing into a great song leader.  He also ministers to our widows.

 

Billy, graduated our 6-month program.  It was so great to see Billy in worship with his two daughters sitting side by side.  When he first came to us, he was an unprofitable father who was not allowed to see his children due to his abuse of drugs.  Today Billy is also profitable to our congregation and the Welcome Hill church of Christ where his mother has been a member for years.

 

Randy, was an unprofitable alcoholic when he entered our program 521 days ago. He is a member of the church of Christ from Indiana.  He is set to graduate on November 15^th.  He loves his job at McDonald’s.  He now is living in his own apartment.  Randy has chosen to remain in Waycross rather than return to the dangers of home.   He has become a faithful (“profitable”) member of the church!

 

Van was very unprofitable to his family and to the church when he arrived in Waycross 420 days ago.  He has also decided to call Waycross home.  He has been a big help with the program.  Van is establishing a new business of buying and reselling used furniture and other household items.  His mother is a member of the church of Christ in Texas.  

 

Beau’s relapse and recovery is the most exciting thing I have to report.  Within a few months after his graduation from Project Rescue, Beau relapsed on drugs, lost his 4-year old daughter Alice, lost his business and was evicted from his apartment.  He has since repented and returned to the program.  A family from our congregation is taking care of Alice.  Beau is trying hard to become profitable! 

 

For some, the process of becoming profitable is hard.  Therefore more time is needed for them to become profitable.

 

Rusty seemed to be on the road to becoming “profitable” for about two-months.  Then he relapsed and exited the program.  It broke his mother’s heart.  Rusty returned 10 days later.  He is now back on the path of profitability.

 

Todd’s life became unprofitable.  He has been with us 333 days.  He recently moved into his own apartment in Brunswick.  He comes to Waycross on Saturdays and Sundays.  Todd has become a profitable son.  He is helping his parents deal with their medical problems.  He is also becoming a profitable father to his 4-year-old son. 

 

Bryan’s parents are members of the church of Christ in Louisiana.  He has been with us about 185 days.  He is striving to become “profitable” to God, his parents, his wife and children, and the church.

 

Mickey entered the program 125 days ago.  His mother is a member of the church of Christ in Killen, Alabama.  Alcohol and drugs rendered him unprofitable.  He has been working hard to become profitable.  On November 30, he is set to graduate and return home to Alabama.

 

Landon has been in our care for 107 days.  After years of destructive & unprofitable behavior, Landon is now living a profitable life!  He has a great job as a painter.  Landon’s cousin, Ronald, saw the change in him and came to us for help.

 

Ronald, Landon’s cousin is a member of the Waycross community.  He is detoxing off of the very strong drug, methadone.

 

Paul has relapsed more than any other member in the program.  He recently got a good job.  We do not know if Paul is capable of becoming profitable.  He has been with us 385 days (exiting & re-entering the program many times).

 

Danny came from Tennessee 51 days ago to enter our program.  He relapsed after being with us 2-weeks.  He relapsed again last week and lost all of his privileges.  He is 21-years-old.  We are praying that Danny will become stop his slide into unprofitability while he is young. 

 

James has admitted to living an unprofitable life for a number of years.  He has been with us about 41 days.  He lives with his wife and attends all of our classes and services.

 

Lance is our newest program member.  His parents are members of the church of Christ in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Alcohol and pot abuse have ruined his life.  He cried out for help and we said come!

 

Jeanie and I are growing as we experience the ups and downs of ministering to men struggling with addictions.  Much is being accomplished because of the very talented and dedicated (“profitable”) workers we have in the City Boulevard church of Christ.  Our daughter Kim is a tremendous help with all of the medical problems the men have.  Bill & Gerry Nicks are continuing to teach and encourage.  Bill will soon turn 90.  Frank and Betty continue to build our educational program.  Frank teaches three classes a day.  Chris & David are doing a fine job as program managers.

 

We are beginning to focus more on getting the program members  involved in the work (evangelism, benevolence, edification) of the church.

 

We appreciate your prayers and support very much.

 

In His service,

 

 

Ronnie Crocker, minister