Lessons Learned at the Cross: Kenneth's Story

This is Kennith Downhour’s testimony. He came into the program on 12/30/21 and will soon be completing the first phase of the program (first six months). In this phase, the student completes the Adult and Teen Challenge Curriculum which is comprised of Group Studies for New Christians and Personal Studies for New Christians. Student will also receive other classes that cover such areas as financial health, communication, and marriage and family.

I come before you as a man who has had a breakthrough in life by the grace of God.  Once living for the thrill of the high of meth and alcohol, I quickly lost control of my life and hit rock bottom. One of my biggest downfalls was always putting the blame on someone else… playing the role of victim.  I didn’t want to take the heat for my own wrongdoings.

It was my own actions with drugs and alcohol, the loss of a 13-year relationship, the loss of my kids, the loss of my stepdad from cancer, and numerous prison terms for assaulting cops, that my anger had become like a bucket being filled with drops of watery anger.  Drip, drip, drip—before long I had a bucket full of rage, with a dash of bitterness, a hint of revenge, and the final touch of hatred. The perfect concoction of a ticking time bomb.

I had no respect for authority whatsoever, with a rock-solid criminal record proving it.  So much pain could have been avoided if I knew then what I know now—the meaning of the cross and Jesus Christ’s unconditional love. It took Jesus Christ to open my eyes after 39 years to see that I was going down in a blaze, and it wasn’t a blaze of glory either like I wished it was.  If I didn’t make inward changes, I was heading straight to the pits of hell.

I came into the Hope Homes program, became sober, and began to reflect on all the lost time that I couldn’t have back. What could I say? What Could I do? There was only one thing that I could do, and that was to ask Jesus to come into my life. So that is what I did. I repented and asked for forgiveness for all the hurtful things I had done to myself, others, and towards Him. Since doing so I’ve been baptized, and I’ve learned there is a better life without drugs and alcohol.

For the most part, I’ve been able to control my anger when I never could before. I’ve let go of my past that held me back from reaching my full potential. I’ve learned to respect others and their opinion. I learned how to control my attitude and the way I speak. I don’t let everything get to me as I did before. I’ve learned that I need to leave my battles to God, to let Him fight my battles for me. That all I need to do is be me. I have faith and can put on His armor. By doing so I can overcome any challenge thrown my way. I’ve also learned how to be a leader… something I never saw myself as.

I want to thank Hope Homes of the Ozarks Adult and Teen Challenge for helping me overcome myself. I also want to thank Freedom City Church and its staff for everything they do. They are reaching out to people who are trying to overcome life’s problems. Finally, I want to thank Jesus Christ for rebuilding my ruins into an altar for His glory.

—Kenneth Downhour