Bruce’s story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing work happening every day at Pacific Garden Mission. When he arrived, he was battling years of addiction, physical injury, and hopelessness. But through the grace of God and the compassionate care he received through our programs, Bruce found healing, purpose, and a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ.

Meet Bruce

“My name is Bruce, and I came to PGM with a serious drug problem. I decided at that time that it was in my best interest to just leave drugs alone and to find a different path. I spoke to someone about this place and I finally decided to turn my life over to God. Right now, I am happy to be here because I almost died from heroin use.

“I have a broken nose because I fell asleep on the Chicago L subway track and fell down six feet onto the train tracks face first. I was temporarily paralyzed but conscious. The train was still approaching, and a lady on the platform told me it was coming, but even though I could hear her, I couldn’t move. It is by the grace of God that someone who was standing on the platform was willing to go down onto the tracks and help bring me back to the platform. I see it as God and His angels looking over me because I could have very easily been a closed casket because the train was coming.

“That was in 2021 and from that time on, I was pretty much unable to work and my back has been hurting. But God has given me the ability to move my limbs again and I feel a whole lot better. It all has been just one process after another. I didn’t want to come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t work anymore and so I was depressed. I couldn’t tell you how many times in the past I was alone, not knowing what to do and crying out for help.

“When I came here, I was a broken man. I was really a broken man.”

“Theo, one of the counselors at Pacific Garden Mission, spoke to me about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he helped me to become a better person by putting me into the New Day program. It was for people who have problems with substance abuse like I had. I wanted to be delivered from my addiction to cocaine and heroin. I wanted to be delivered. I was too tired of fighting with it, back and forth, in and out of addiction. I had tried the 12-step program but it wasn’t working for me even though it worked for other people, and I kept returning to a life of drug abuse and unhealthy habits.

“I truly needed a complete and thorough lifestyle change. I never really committed my life to Christ. When I came here, I was a broken man. I was really a broken man. I was certainly happy to find people willing to listen to me about my problems. The fact that this place has been a refuge for many people who have fallen on bad times and also for those who have been caught up in the grips of drug and alcohol abuse gave me hope again.

“Here, I can get some counseling and get professional help from people who can help me understand more about the disease of addiction. Addiction can tear up the fabric of a man’s family and household. I am now 61 years old, and at the time I came in here, I made the decision never to be held down by a substance again, and I meant it. I thank God for the opportunity to do that because many people I know aren’t here today because they didn’t have the same chance I have, so I am very grateful.

“That is my testimony. I feel great about where I am right now, and it’s all due to the love of Jesus Christ. I thank God He has provided this place as a tool for my life to change this vessel.

Things didn’t have to go this way. I could be six feet under very easily. When I end up dying and am in the casket, I just want my family and others to look at me and say, ‘I miss him’. I don’t want to be remembered; I want to be missed. This means that I have done something meaningful with my life by making a difference in someone else’s.

“Now here for 21 months, I have been through hip replacement surgery, lots of counseling, hundreds of Gospel-based sermons, and weekly classes on how to maintain my lifestyle as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am extremely grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for saving me. I’m in debt to the Lord and have given my allegiance to serving as a blessing to the Mission as long as He wants me to. I have recently become much closer to God through His faithfulness and His meeting me right where I am. I have never felt as close to God as I do right now.”

Today, Bruce is sober, restored, and serving with a heart full of gratitude. His transformation would not have been possible without the faithful support of donors like you. Thank you for helping create a place where broken lives can be made whole through the love of Christ. Your generosity truly makes stories like Bruce’s possible and we thank you for any gift you can send today.