"We just try to, instead of promoting a hand out, we try to give them a hand up," said Terry Osborne, associate recovery pastor at Mission Church.
Osborne is a member of a unique congregation. From addicts, to the homeless to everyday people, everyone is welcome at the Mission Church.
"We have people from all walks of life," said lead pastor Chad Mitchell. "Every single race and economic status. So that's what makes this place very special."
Today was the Mission's 15th anniversary, and the leaders have come a long way since the 35 members in a back yard for Bible study. Now they spread awareness about gang violence in the Stop the Violence program, and help various types of addicts get back on their feet.
"They just wasn't concerned where we had been and what our past was," said Osborne. "They just believed in us."
Osborne and his wife were recovering drug addicts when they joined the Mission three years ago. Their children had been taken from them, and they had been homeless at one point. But Osborne said it was the welcoming atmosphere of the church that helped him make strides in his recovery.
"I could be me, and I could be transparent and who I was. It was just really awesome to feel that experience," he said.
Now he has grown through the church and has even reached out to other recovering addicts.
"I take great pride and joy in helping other addicts and alcoholics achieve sobriety like what was given to me," said Osborne.
Osborne is just one of many success stories at Mission Church. It's people like him that help the church grow as a whole.
"It's overwhelming to see what God has done in and through this place," said Mitchell.
Services are held Sunday mornings at 10:45 am.
Osborne is a member of a unique congregation. From addicts, to the homeless to everyday people, everyone is welcome at the Mission Church.
"We have people from all walks of life," said lead pastor Chad Mitchell. "Every single race and economic status. So that's what makes this place very special."
Today was the Mission's 15th anniversary, and the leaders have come a long way since the 35 members in a back yard for Bible study. Now they spread awareness about gang violence in the Stop the Violence program, and help various types of addicts get back on their feet.
"They just wasn't concerned where we had been and what our past was," said Osborne. "They just believed in us."
Osborne and his wife were recovering drug addicts when they joined the Mission three years ago. Their children had been taken from them, and they had been homeless at one point. But Osborne said it was the welcoming atmosphere of the church that helped him make strides in his recovery.
"I could be me, and I could be transparent and who I was. It was just really awesome to feel that experience," he said.
Now he has grown through the church and has even reached out to other recovering addicts.
"I take great pride and joy in helping other addicts and alcoholics achieve sobriety like what was given to me," said Osborne.
Osborne is just one of many success stories at Mission Church. It's people like him that help the church grow as a whole.
"It's overwhelming to see what God has done in and through this place," said Mitchell.
Services are held Sunday mornings at 10:45 am.
