News

Could God Really Help Me?
2022-01-26

Victory House, a Christian Rehabilitation programme, alongside ARISE Church in Whangārei are seeing men who come from backgrounds of addiction and crime, finding a real and authentic relationship with Jesus.

Victory House has been operating in Whangārei for 3 years. With its launch, ARISE decided that we would be committed to do whatever we could to enable the vision of Victory House — restoring families and helping men break chains of addiction forever.

The story below describes one man’s first experience with Jesus and the impact of that decision on his life.

“It was hard at the start. I did not believe that God could help me in any way. That was until I accepted Jesus into my life.

It was my first time ever attending church here at ARISE. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel welcome. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I felt God’s presence within me. I prayed that very night and he answered my prayers. He listened to me, he listened to my plea and he blessed me. I had the best sleep I’ve ever had in years. No tossing or turning and no nightmares. I’ll never forget that night — praise the Lord. I see things more clearly now and I know who is most important in my life, Jesus and my family.

Now I attend church with pride and happiness — it’s the highlight of my week. He has set me free from the chains of addiction. I got the opportunity to have my family move to Whangarei to be closer to me, to spend more time with them and to show my son a better path in life. My life has changed so much since I’ve been in Whangārei surrounded by God’s people, I’m so blessed.” —Victory House Graduate

It is awesome to see men that are committed to turning away from their old way of life, and to change their family story for the next generation. It is in times like these that we need to band together to help and support one another!