The trajectory of Darrin’s life changed when a stranger saw him panhandling on the street and handed him a business card. After returning home from his second tour in Iraq, Darrin* had discovered that his wife had left him and had cleaned out their bank accounts. He was broke, alone, and suffering from PTSD. It was not long before he was homeless. While living on the streets, he struggled with alcohol and marijuana addiction which led to a record of several misdemeanor offenses.

So when a staff member from Men of Nehemiah handed him his business card, and invited him to a worship service to check out how we were transforming the lives of men battling addiction, Darrin made a decision that would change his life. Darrin reached out to us for help.

“‘Transformation’ is the word that I think best describes what occurs at Men of Nehemiah for those men who live the program, while they are here and after they graduate,” says Lee Halford, a retired Partner at Shafer Halford and a supporter of Men of Nehemiah for six years. In fact, Lee personally mentored Darrin as he went through the program.

“I am inspired to support Men of Nehemiah because I have seen, and continue to see, the transformation of lives of the men, and their families, who embrace the principles of the program, taking a different path for the future,” he says.

For over 12 years, Men of Nehemiah has been rebuilding the lives of men in our community who have been significantly impacted by drug and alcohol addiction. We are not just another addiction recovery center. We get results. We have served over 1,400 men since we first opened our doors, and 87% of our program graduates will remain substance-free one year after starting our program.

To Matthew Malouf, one of our longtime supporters, the words “hope,” “purpose,” and “resolve” describe the transformation of the men who are served by the Men of Nehemiah. What makes Men of Nehemiah special, he says, “is the efficiency with which they accomplish their goals, and that they reach out to the very least among us.”

By combining the latest, research-backed clinical services, compassionate spiritual direction, and a disciplined military structure, we are rebuilding lives and restoring each man to the person God has called him to be.

“Men of Nehemiah does what it says it is going to do, all day every day, which is rebuild the walls of men’s lives,” says Lee.

Drug and alcohol addiction is destroying lives in our community. We are therefore called to compassionately serve these men and their families. We believe that everyone is deserving of Grace, as well as the healing and spiritual renewal that our programs have to offer.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Men of Nehemiah, or someone who is interested in our mission, we promise you that when you attend the Spring Concert, it will be an evening you won’t soon forget!

“I have attended a number of concerts, including the recent ones featuring Daryl Strawberry and Michael W. Smith,” Lee Halford says. “Strawberry shared his compelling story of transformation, from drug addiction to a clean and sober life through the Gospel. Michael W. Smith, joined by the Men of Nehemiah Choir, presented an inspirational evening of Christian music, testimony, and Smith’s personal story of deciding to center his life on Christ.”

 Through his general support of Men of Nehemiah, and first-hand as a mentor, Lee describes the transformations he has witnessed over the years—how with the compassionate support of our organization, men are rebuilding their lives and working toward a future defined by hope.

“I have seen the transformation of a college graduate, who had succumbed to alcohol for nine months following his layoff from a job, go from Men of Nehemiah into the United States Navy as a shipboard computer technician,” he says.

Like Darrin, when men who are battling addiction reach out to us for help, it is often because they had first attended one of our regular worship services and listened to the testimonies of the men in our program.

Our worship services are incredibly impactful, because when we gather together in praise and worship, the experience is electrifying. It is kinetic. And everyone is welcome.

“If you are unfamiliar with the Men of Nehemiah, the concerts are startling. Such great music, and such a powerful experience,” says Matthew Malouf. “Come to one church session, or one concert, and see for yourself.”

And Darrin? The man who was living on the streets when a stranger handed him a business card and invited him to worship? Lee is proud to share that Darrin has gone on to earn his associate’s degree at Dallas College.

Today, Darrin is working for a national insurance claims adjuster inspecting damaged roofs across the country. He is enrolled at Dallas Baptist University to complete his undergraduate degree and is considering starting his own business.

The stories of men like Darrin are why we continue to serve.