My name is Cory Myers and I am twenty-six years old. In April of 2019 I entered Cleveland Teen Challenge which I successfully completed in September of 2019. From there I immediately came to Cincinnati Teen Challenge Men’s Ranch to successfully complete their full phase program May 1 of 2020.
I was introduced to marijuana at the age of 10. By hanging around “friends” at the age of 14 I was introduced to cocaine. But it was the frequent use of marijuana that became my impediment to completing high school. I had been on an Adderall script since about 14 but I was also abusing that and selling it for other drugs. I would float between different jobs and do part time work like mowing lawns.
Because of an altercation with a relative, I was charged with domestic violence and theft. The result was a four year sentence. Following a year of incarceration I was awarded judicial release. For three months after that, I was doing fine. As good as one can do without God in their life. But events and circumstance led me back to using. After a year I was a real mess. Now, I never personally had much of a spiritual life, short of the testimony and admonishing from my Grandma and my mom. During a binge, I clearly heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “Son you are going to die unless you change your ways.” Even though those around me thought I was crazy and tried to convince me otherwise, the next day I turned myself in knowing I would be found violating parole.
Following two months in jail, I had my day in court. While in the holding room, with about five others, I got down on my knees and cried out to God, “If you show me you will not give up on me, I will show you I will not give up on you.” Appearing before the judge, thinking he is going to throw the book at me, he instead offered to send me to Teen Challenge, even though ít was against his better judgement. I had never heard of Teen Challenge before this.
When I came to Teen Challenge, I was lost and on a mission to find that missing piece (peace) to my life. I believed in a rules bases form of salvation and faith with no concept of a relationship with God. For instance, I thought I could live my life full of sin, then, because I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior I would be all right.
Since coming to Teen Challenge, God has transformed, blessed, and showed Himself to me in so many ways. He has shown me the meaning of His love and the value I am because of it. And not just to be loved but how to walk in it. I now understand how it feels to be truly forgiven and how to truly forgive others. He has taught me patience. Many times, I had wanted to walk away from the Ranch, but now, I finish with my head up. I have learned how to look beyond what’s in it for me to instead doing everything in a way that would honor God
I am so thankful to God, and Teen Challenge. To all the staff members at the Ranch, mentors, volunteers, and especially George Martin, thank you. I can now pursue a job that I can be successful in so that I can marry and provide for my fiancé. I want to be a servant and help give to others what God has given to me. Because he has given me higher goals to reach for
