CHRIS'S RECOVERY STORY - FROM CLIENT TO DIRECTOR
In 2019, I graduated from Safe Harbor after completing the program that would ultimately change the entire course of my life.
When I first entered recovery, I carried the weight of nearly 20 years of addiction. During those years, I had become isolated and withdrawn. Addiction had turned me into someone I never intended to be—an introvert who kept people at a distance and struggled to trust others.
While I was in the program, I spent three months volunteering in the kitchen. Looking back, that season was one of the most important parts of my recovery. Working alongside other clients and interacting daily with staff members forced me out of my comfort zone. It gave me an opportunity to communicate, build relationships, and learn how to be part of something bigger than myself.
Those three months helped me develop skills that would not only strengthen my recovery but would later shape my future ministry.
After graduating, I went to work for one of Safe Harbor’s employment partners. Like many men coming out of addiction, I had responsibilities waiting for me—probation requirements, court costs, license issues, and financial obligations. I left the program with just enough money to begin rebuilding my life and taking care of those responsibilities.
Then something happened that I never expected.
One day during class, a staff member was called away unexpectedly. The room became distracted, and nobody was paying attention. Drawing from my previous work experience, I stood up and began teaching employment skills.
Before addiction took over my life, I had worked in management, including serving as a General Manager for a Sonic Drive-In restaurant. I understood what employers look for and what it takes to succeed in the workplace. So I began talking about interview skills, work ethic, professional appearance, communication, and how to present yourself to an employer.
As I spoke, something remarkable happened.
The men started listening.
Not because I was a teacher. Not because I was staff. But because I had been where they were. I understood their struggles, and they could relate to my experiences.
In that moment, God began revealing a purpose for my life that I had never considered before.
From that day forward, I found myself naturally gravitating toward helping others. Even while I was finishing the program, I began assisting with program responsibilities whenever I could. I wanted to serve. I wanted to give back. I wanted to help other men discover the same hope that had been given to me.
Shortly before I graduated, the Director of Operations at the time, Mr. Kenny Lane, approached me with an opportunity that completely changed my future.
He offered me a position as a Program Coordinator.
To be honest, I never imagined myself working in recovery ministry. It wasn’t something I had planned. It wasn’t something I was pursuing. But God had a different plan than the one I had written for myself.
I accepted the position and began serving the ministry that had helped save my life.
From there, I helped with the closing of the Clarksville facility before beginning my journey at Safe Harbor of Bucksnort. It was there that I met Jonathan Newcomb, who was the Director at the time and now serves as Director of Operations for Safe Harbor.
At Safe Harbor of Bucksnort, I started as a Program Coordinator. Through hard work, mentorship, and God’s grace, I advanced to Admissions Coordinator, then Assistant Director, and eventually Director.
Throughout that journey, I have had the opportunity to serve in nearly every area of ministry. I’ve worked in transportation, admissions, our back-to-work program, client development, and even served in chaplain responsibilities. Each role taught me something new about leadership, service, and God’s purpose for my life.
The greatest lesson I have learned is that God often reveals His plans one step at a time. For years, I tried to live according to my own will, and it led me into addiction, brokenness, and hopelessness. Recovery taught me that true freedom comes when I surrender my plans and allow God to direct my path.
Today, at 50 years old, I am still learning.
I continue to learn from leaders and mentors such as Jonathan Newcomb, President Brad Bowie, Chief Operating Officer Kyle Bennett, and the many directors throughout our organization. Their guidance has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
More importantly, every day God continues to teach me something new—not only about His purpose for my life, but about how to align my will with His.
When I entered Safe Harbor, I was simply looking for a way out of addiction. What I found was much more than recovery. I found purpose. I found faith. I found a calling.
Safe Harbor didn’t just help me get sober. It gave me the opportunity to become the man God intended me to be.
Today, I have the privilege of helping other men find the same hope that was freely given to me. Every life changed reminds me why this ministry exists and why I continue to serve.
My story is proof that recovery is about more than overcoming addiction. Recovery is about transformation. It is about discovering that your past does not define your future. Through faith, perseverance, and the grace of God, a life that once seemed broken beyond repair can become a testimony of redemption.
As Scripture says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am living proof that God still changes lives.
When I first entered recovery, I carried the weight of nearly 20 years of addiction. During those years, I had become isolated and withdrawn. Addiction had turned me into someone I never intended to be—an introvert who kept people at a distance and struggled to trust others.
While I was in the program, I spent three months volunteering in the kitchen. Looking back, that season was one of the most important parts of my recovery. Working alongside other clients and interacting daily with staff members forced me out of my comfort zone. It gave me an opportunity to communicate, build relationships, and learn how to be part of something bigger than myself.
Those three months helped me develop skills that would not only strengthen my recovery but would later shape my future ministry.
After graduating, I went to work for one of Safe Harbor’s employment partners. Like many men coming out of addiction, I had responsibilities waiting for me—probation requirements, court costs, license issues, and financial obligations. I left the program with just enough money to begin rebuilding my life and taking care of those responsibilities.
Then something happened that I never expected.
One day during class, a staff member was called away unexpectedly. The room became distracted, and nobody was paying attention. Drawing from my previous work experience, I stood up and began teaching employment skills.
Before addiction took over my life, I had worked in management, including serving as a General Manager for a Sonic Drive-In restaurant. I understood what employers look for and what it takes to succeed in the workplace. So I began talking about interview skills, work ethic, professional appearance, communication, and how to present yourself to an employer.
As I spoke, something remarkable happened.
The men started listening.
Not because I was a teacher. Not because I was staff. But because I had been where they were. I understood their struggles, and they could relate to my experiences.
In that moment, God began revealing a purpose for my life that I had never considered before.
From that day forward, I found myself naturally gravitating toward helping others. Even while I was finishing the program, I began assisting with program responsibilities whenever I could. I wanted to serve. I wanted to give back. I wanted to help other men discover the same hope that had been given to me.
Shortly before I graduated, the Director of Operations at the time, Mr. Kenny Lane, approached me with an opportunity that completely changed my future.
He offered me a position as a Program Coordinator.
To be honest, I never imagined myself working in recovery ministry. It wasn’t something I had planned. It wasn’t something I was pursuing. But God had a different plan than the one I had written for myself.
I accepted the position and began serving the ministry that had helped save my life.
From there, I helped with the closing of the Clarksville facility before beginning my journey at Safe Harbor of Bucksnort. It was there that I met Jonathan Newcomb, who was the Director at the time and now serves as Director of Operations for Safe Harbor.
At Safe Harbor of Bucksnort, I started as a Program Coordinator. Through hard work, mentorship, and God’s grace, I advanced to Admissions Coordinator, then Assistant Director, and eventually Director.
Throughout that journey, I have had the opportunity to serve in nearly every area of ministry. I’ve worked in transportation, admissions, our back-to-work program, client development, and even served in chaplain responsibilities. Each role taught me something new about leadership, service, and God’s purpose for my life.
The greatest lesson I have learned is that God often reveals His plans one step at a time. For years, I tried to live according to my own will, and it led me into addiction, brokenness, and hopelessness. Recovery taught me that true freedom comes when I surrender my plans and allow God to direct my path.
Today, at 50 years old, I am still learning.
I continue to learn from leaders and mentors such as Jonathan Newcomb, President Brad Bowie, Chief Operating Officer Kyle Bennett, and the many directors throughout our organization. Their guidance has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
More importantly, every day God continues to teach me something new—not only about His purpose for my life, but about how to align my will with His.
When I entered Safe Harbor, I was simply looking for a way out of addiction. What I found was much more than recovery. I found purpose. I found faith. I found a calling.
Safe Harbor didn’t just help me get sober. It gave me the opportunity to become the man God intended me to be.
Today, I have the privilege of helping other men find the same hope that was freely given to me. Every life changed reminds me why this ministry exists and why I continue to serve.
My story is proof that recovery is about more than overcoming addiction. Recovery is about transformation. It is about discovering that your past does not define your future. Through faith, perseverance, and the grace of God, a life that once seemed broken beyond repair can become a testimony of redemption.
As Scripture says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am living proof that God still changes lives.