WADE, Miss. -- For graduates of the Home of Grace rehabilitation center, the program's yearly homecoming ceremony is more than a chance for fellowship. It's a chance to celebrate transformations and encourage recovering addicts.
Home of Grace, founded in 1965 and headed by the Rev. Billy and Shellene Barton, offers a Christian faith-based program to help addicts overcome their drug and alcohol problems through 90-day programs.
The women's home in Gautier and the men's home in Vancleave graduate hundreds of people each year.
Alumni gathered Saturday at Wade Baptist Church to testify about how the program led them to God and changed their lives.
"This event is a good way to remember everything," said Mark Brantley, a Troy, Ala., resident who graduated from the program in April 2005. "We remember what we've done in the past and that there is a place to get help.
A lot of our reminiscing is not positive, but I want to remember it all and use it so I won't go back."
Going back, Brantley said, would mean using powder cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, his drug of choice.
It would mean "lying, cheating, stealing and manipulating my family," he said.
For Brantley, who began experimenting with drugs when he was 15 and can't remember most of his 30s, the Home of Grace has given him more than freedom from his addictions, it has given him joy.
"Today, I am happy," he said. "Not only am I happy, but I have joy in my life. And it's all about Jesus. Now my parents are actually proud of me for a change."
During Saturday's ceremony, Home of Grace leadership thanked three "miracle makers" who have supported the program.
Charles and Margaret Cooper, of WOSM-FM, were honored for time spent advocating the center through interviews with the Bill Barton, the program's founder and Billy Barton's father. Bill Barton died in 2008.
William "Dub" Herring was honored for more than 30 years of help through serving on the Home of Grace's board of directors and countless other committees.
Guest speaker the Rev. Fred Wolfe, of Luke 4:18 Fellowship in Mobile, told attendees that God "has his hand on" the Home of Grace for its work.
"You know how Jesus can heal a broken heart ... and set the captives free," he told attendees.
Saturday's ceremony was themed "Celebrate Freedom," and 2009 graduate Miller Baugh of Gulfport said she certainly feels freed.
Having unsuccessfully been through two rehabilitation programs for her addiction to pain-killers, she was finally ordered to the Home of Grace by drug court.
"The missing ingredient was God," she said. "I just can't explain how sacred the Home of Grace is. It changed me. I hope people can see the light in me now."
Home of Grace, founded in 1965 and headed by the Rev. Billy and Shellene Barton, offers a Christian faith-based program to help addicts overcome their drug and alcohol problems through 90-day programs.
The women's home in Gautier and the men's home in Vancleave graduate hundreds of people each year.
Alumni gathered Saturday at Wade Baptist Church to testify about how the program led them to God and changed their lives.
"This event is a good way to remember everything," said Mark Brantley, a Troy, Ala., resident who graduated from the program in April 2005. "We remember what we've done in the past and that there is a place to get help.
A lot of our reminiscing is not positive, but I want to remember it all and use it so I won't go back."
Going back, Brantley said, would mean using powder cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, his drug of choice.
It would mean "lying, cheating, stealing and manipulating my family," he said.
For Brantley, who began experimenting with drugs when he was 15 and can't remember most of his 30s, the Home of Grace has given him more than freedom from his addictions, it has given him joy.
"Today, I am happy," he said. "Not only am I happy, but I have joy in my life. And it's all about Jesus. Now my parents are actually proud of me for a change."
During Saturday's ceremony, Home of Grace leadership thanked three "miracle makers" who have supported the program.
Charles and Margaret Cooper, of WOSM-FM, were honored for time spent advocating the center through interviews with the Bill Barton, the program's founder and Billy Barton's father. Bill Barton died in 2008.
William "Dub" Herring was honored for more than 30 years of help through serving on the Home of Grace's board of directors and countless other committees.
Guest speaker the Rev. Fred Wolfe, of Luke 4:18 Fellowship in Mobile, told attendees that God "has his hand on" the Home of Grace for its work.
"You know how Jesus can heal a broken heart ... and set the captives free," he told attendees.
Saturday's ceremony was themed "Celebrate Freedom," and 2009 graduate Miller Baugh of Gulfport said she certainly feels freed.
Having unsuccessfully been through two rehabilitation programs for her addiction to pain-killers, she was finally ordered to the Home of Grace by drug court.
"The missing ingredient was God," she said. "I just can't explain how sacred the Home of Grace is. It changed me. I hope people can see the light in me now."
