My name is Jake, I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada, and I had a pretty normal life growing up. My parents moved from southern California when I was 5. My dad and mom worked very hard to build their reputation in a new town. I would follow my older brother around and bother him all day long. Then he would beat me up for making him mad. I think that’s just part of being a little brother.

I was born and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon. My early years were a mix of adjusting to my parents’ divorce and learning how to suck it up and keep moving. After years of seclusion and homeschooling under my grandmas tutelage; my dad, younger brother, and me moved into town. I quickly exploited my new freedom by exploring all the ways I could get into trouble. I started with marijuana and alcohol but progressed quickly to anything I could get my hands on.

Hi my name is Brett, I am 24 years old, and I was born and raised in Corvallis Oregon. I am the youngest of five children. Having two amazing parents along with for loving sisters, you could make the assumption that I was very much pampered in my early childhood.

I’ve lived in Eugene, Oregon or the close surrounding areas all of my life.  Growing up, I never dreamed of having life-controlling addictions or making decisions to serve a life of slavery over my family. 

I had what I considered to be a normal, even privileged childhood.  I got to play sports, my family was very close, always going camping and enjoying lots of outdoor activities.  This kept me pretty grounded throughout my adolescent and young adult years.

I grew up in a loving family and in the church.  I always struggled in school — comparing myself to others and thinking I was not good enough.  I was dealing with rejection, shame, and doubt.

The life I led before I knew the Lord was one of destruction, confusion, and emptiness.  I grew up pretty typical.  My parents got a divorce when I was young, and my mom got remarried.  This came with a lie from the enemy that it was somehow my fault that I was not loved by my father; that he left me and did not care about me. 

I was born in Mexico, but have lived in the U.S. most of my life.  I grew up in the Catholic faith, attending Mass faithfully, and have known about the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  What I realize I didn't have, however, is a personal and direct relationship with Jesus, and I did not have an understanding of Grace.

My name is Tamara. I was in jail in Crescent City, California when I encountered the Lord once again and knew there had to be more to this life. I really wanted to go to Adult & Teen Challenge in Graham, but there was no bed availability, and I didn't want to go anywhere else. I decided to call every day — sometimes three times a day or more. I had met someone in my hometown that had been to the Graham Campus and told me lots of great things about what happened to her, and I wanted that for my life more then anything else.

I came to the Graham Campus struggling with addiction.  I remember being told I couldn't smoke cigarettes, and that was more overwhelming than anything.  I was really scared the first day, and I remember asking if I could have anything else like a patch. The staff said "No, its the power of prayer that will take that craving away."  I thought they were all crazy.

My name is Becky and I am 23 years old. I was raised in a Christian home with two brothers and two sisters. We were a typical family: we all played sports and went on family vacations. My parents are still together, and we were actively involved in whatever church we attended. I went to private school until 6th grade, and until that point I was certain I would never do drugs, never drink, or give myself to a man before marriage. But just like most teenagers, I struggled with finding my identity and began compromising my morals. I got lost in a world of depression and developed an unhealthy desire for the approval of men, which resulted in shoplifting, drinking, sexual immorality, and bulimia.