Maddie could have been any one of our daughters. In high school, she sought refuge in drinking and drugs. Maddie managed to work two jobs and go to college, but her dad's death in 2017 tipped her into a reckless spiral that led to a meth and heroine addiction, a DUI, and a pregnancy. Maddie only stayed sober for a few weeks after her son was born. Leaving her new baby with her mom, she began living between hotels and houses where she used needles and sold drugs to support her new fentanyl habit. She was convinced that she was destined to live and die as a drug addict and accepted that fate. 

In 2022, Maddie found herself pregnant again. Because her daughter was immediately placed in the NICU to detox from opiates, Child Protective Services (CPS) interceded. Even though she had no desire to get sober, Maddie went for treatment at Vera’s Sanctuary. It was there God met her. When NorthEast of the Well arrived at Bible study at Vera’s, Maddie sat under a blanket and dozed off. Afterwards, the NorthEast staff approached this girl with long red hair and asked for her prayer requests. Once the team learned about her daughter fighting for her life, the whole ministry began to pray for she and Maddie.  

Soon, Maddie’s desires began to change. She moved to Prototypes, a mother-child treatment program, where she attended NorthEast Bible studies, and was picked up by  NorthEast and brought on Monday nights to our Newport Gathering. “I couldn’t explain what I was feeling during worship and the peace I began to feel, but I could no longer deny that God was working in my life and restoring me,” Maddie says. “I was baptized by NorthEast over a year ago and built a stronger relationship with God. He has shown me over and over again the miracles He’s capable of. My CPS case with my daughter is closed and I have over two years of sobriety. Presently, I am enrolled in college and I’ve started a scholarship program at OC Dental Acadamy. I keep having amazing opportunities and people enter my life. I know now the God I serve, and I’m so grateful that He’s shown me a new and better way to live and in that I have a new identity with Christ. Today, I’m a part of my son’s life, I have full custody of my daughter, I have purpose, peace of mind, and a defense against the challenges life throws at me. NorthEast of the Well guided me to the answer I never knew I needed, and God has set me free.”

We hope Maddie’s story encourages you to keep praying for those you love! 

I was using needles alongside my dad and other family members, dropped out of highschool, and eventually, I turned to prostitution to support my drug use. For years, I was in and out of jail. By the time I was in my mid-twenties, I’d experienced multiple overdoses and even a suicide attempt. I tried going to treatment centers, but I didn’t get serious about getting sober until my sister’s son Odin was born. I couldn't stand being away from him and missing out on him growing up. I started to feel some sense of purpose again.

After four months of treatment, I moved to a sober living house. My mom, sister, and I were invited to attend a gathering at NorthEast of the Well. I met Jennifer Link there, and that was a turning point for me. Jennifer was so loving and kind, so I continued to attend gatherings. A year later, I was still struggling with suicidal thoughts. One night, the teaching pastor Marco was prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask if anyone was dealing with suicidal thoughts. I raised my hand and started crying, and everyone at the gathering lifted me up in prayer. In that moment, I was freed of that. The voices that were telling me to end my life left me. My sister and I were baptized together by our NorthEast family. They have forever touched my heart. Two weeks after my baptism, I encountered the Holy Spirit like never before. I thank the Lord for giving me new eyes to see and new ears to hear. I am truly alive in Him, my greatest treasure.

Chelsea was trafficked for over 11 years and experienced every type of pimp, from those who used false romance for control to those who used power to abuse. All the promises of belonging and a life on top of the world were nothing but lies. She lost custody of her baby and, out of desperation, Chelsea started using drugs. When she found herself pregnant again, she knew she had to take ownership of her life.

A prenatal nurse referred Chelsea to Casa Teresa, a safe house for pregnant women. As soon as she settled into her room, she was told there was a Bible study. That is where she met NorthEast of the Well. Gail was the first person Chelsea saw, and she hugged her without any hesitation. At that moment, Chelsea felt safe and her healing with God truly began. After 10 months of Bible studies with NorthEast, she decided to get baptized. Coming out of the water, she felt an overwhelming joy well up inside of her, stronger than any other emotion she had ever experienced. All she could do was say, “Hallelujah!”

From the age of four, violence was the lens through which Woody saw life. He didn’t have a father figure, and he sought acceptance from his peers. “I was running around with the rich kids, smoking and drinking to be accepted,” said Woody. His attention shifted from sports to gangs. “I was a chameleon, always changing who I was in order to fit in.” Woody’s ability to fight earned him acceptance with gangs, but a series of armed robberies and possession charges landed him in prison with a sentence of 25 years to life. His charges were later reduced from life to nine years. In 2021, intoxicated and injured, he walked into a detox center at College Hospital in Costa Mesa. Looking back now, he knows the Lord was keeping him safe. Woody’s track led him to Grandpa’s House where he met NorthEast of the Well. Bobby, one of NorthEast’s Bible teachers with a similar story, has walked alongside him ever since. Woody faithfully attends one of NorthEast’s weekly large group gatherings. “When I walk through the doors of NorthEast, I experience love and acceptance, it’s real. God sent a ladder down to pull me out and said, ‘Son, you can do it.’” Woody credits his mom and grandmother for being his backbone through it all. He stands on Psalm 23.

From a young age, Lorena’s life revolved around sex and drugs. A victim of human trafficking at the hands of her own parents, she was filled with bitterness and envy. Lorena turned to witchcraft, fornication, and addictions to distract herself. “I used drugs as much as possible and avoided reality.” Lorena was moving down a path of self-destruction, fueled by hatred for herself, God, and the world. Lorena was at a doctor’s appointment when everything changed. She heard her unborn daughter’s heartbeat, then noticed her own heart beating. Suddenly, she “felt God blow air” and was able to “inhale and feel alive for the first time.” After that, Lorena began to follow Jesus. He “healed [her] heart from bitterness and rage” and released her from her addictions. Through Christ, her life had purpose. Lorena’s faith eventually led her to attend an anti-human trafficking meeting where she met Laura and Shaneen from NorthEast of the Well. “I saw their heart for God's ministry through their smiles,” Lorena says of the NorthEast team. “I knew they were the real deal– there was a glow that only came from Jesus.” Today, Lorena works as an Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator for NorthEast of the Well. “I now get to serve in a ministry I'm passionate about and fight against human trafficking.” She lives with her children and is surrounded by a supportive church family. To the people she serves, Lorena always says, “Cry out with all your heart and be still, Jesus will meet you right where you are. No matter what, he has always loved you and always will.” Lorena understands how hard it is to break the bondages of sin, but she proclaims the truth that Jesus will take care of anyone who surrenders to him. “Do not lose heart or patience, it’s a process.”

Darrell, a retired veteran searching for community and connection, walked into NorthEast’s Long Beach gathering in 2018. After encountering the love of Christ, he had a desire to be baptized and inquired at many different churches, but he was turned down by each one. After hearing NorthEast’s announcement about baptisms at a gathering one night, he asked, “Is there any reason I couldn’t be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Soon after, he was baptized by Laura and her husband, Tim. In response to his newfound hope in Christ and faith community, Darrell gives a portion of his veteran benefits to the ministry each month and continues to attend the Long Beach gathering. To this day, Darrell is overjoyed that nothing stood in the way of his baptism.

My name is Giselle, and I'm 37 years old. I first came to NorthEast of the Well when I entered treatment last year. When Shaneen shared her story, something inside me lit up. I thought, “I want to be like that.” After a few weeks, I started feeling very different. I didn't want to act a certain way anymore because God was setting me apart. I became more and more obedient to His voice.

On March 5th, I was baptized by NorthEast of the Well. I can still remember how time slowed down; the sun was shining and the water looked like it had little diamonds. Gail and Laura laid me into the water, and I felt the cleansing of my spirit. I opened my eyes to see the blue sky and the sun shining through the water as it swooshed back and forth. It was so peaceful and serene. Coming up, I instantly felt a sense of freedom. I was free from the bondage of addiction, sexual immorality, gossip, toxic relationships, traditions, and anxiety. In this moment, my life finally had purpose. I started to understand my identity in Christ Jesus.

When I entered my next phase of treatment, I found out my daughter's father had relapsed. I was heartbroken by this news, but that's when Jesus showed up and my real journey began. Jesus showed me how to continue to walk in love. I had joy, compassion, and peace that was unexplainable! I became more self-disciplined and faithful to my own sobriety. These are all God’s gifts of the Spirit. I walked into my purpose each day, feeling parts of me shedding off as I transformed more into the image of Christ.

Anyone who knows Jesus knows He is a gentleman and He won’t come into your heart unless you let him. I struggled to peel off my old self because that’s all I’d known for so long. I had to completely surrendered myself to God.

Today, I am happy to say that my daughter’s father is clean and sober, and God is restoring his relationship with our daughter. I say thank you to Jesus by volunteering at NorthEast of the Well. Each week, I pick up women from the same rehab where NorthEast found me. The leaders who mentored me are strong, courageous women of God who have given me a community and watched me grow into a woman of God myself. I will keep coming back to give thanks!