When Nick found himself suicidal and on his knees after over a decade of backsliding, he knew where he needed to go to reconnect with God and start fresh: Pacific Garden Mission. Nick shares his painful journey that brought him back to PGM after being away for 14 years and the new hope and connection with Jesus Christ he has found since his return. His story highlights God’s grace and patience and wouldn’t be possible without your support. We thank you for helping to make his story possible.

Nick Bustillo

“My name is Nick Bustillo, and I was born and raised in Texas. I arrived at PGM in June of 2024 after getting on a Greyhound bus to come here. I knew about the Mission because I had been here before from 2006 until 2010. I was in a Texas prison in 2005 when Christ Jesus put in my hands a PGM Newsletter, and then a few months later, a guy named David, a Chicago native, landed in the prison I was in. He knew about PGM through his church in Chicago, so he told me about it and how I could be discipled there. Upon my release, I came straight to Chicago, where I completed the one-year Bible program at PGM.

“I then got hired by the Unshackled! Ministry for three years and did evangelism. I got married, and my wife wanted to leave Chicago, so I took my leave at PGM and moved back to Texas in 2010. I think that was a bad mistake because I felt that God had wanted me to leave at the time, but I know now that He didn’t.

“I had been living a lie for years and God didn’t want that for me. He pulled me out, rescued me, and brought me to the Mission.”

“I compromised during the 14 years after I left PGM. I took on a lot of identities, from my job to things that were said to me and I believed all those lies. I was a pipe fabricator in the oil and gas production field and made good money, but everything was horrible. I wasn’t a fruitful Christian, and I was very ashamed of myself. I was married, but I wasn’t living the way a Christian should be. My wife and I went to counseling, but I was in a chaotic relationship, a chaotic life. I cried out to the Lord for help.

“I started drinking, and then I started using drugs occasionally, and then I decided I had to do something because I just didn’t want to live anymore. I tried to kill myself several times using cocaine, but it didn’t matter how much I used; I wouldn’t die. I’d sober up, go back home, and then try it again, and this went on for a few years. It was horrible.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV

“After trying to kill myself one last time, I knew I had to go to Pacific Garden Mission and humble myself. I needed Jesus and needed to find my identity. I couldn’t live any longer that way. So, I got on a bus and when I got to Pacific Garden Mission I met with Pastor Phil. I joined the New Day addictions program and completed it in January. I am now in the Bible program and I’m very blessed to serve in Hospitality. I love doing the tours and sharing the PGM history and what Christ is doing here at PGM.

“God met me where I was, face to face, and it has brought so much peace. It is wonderful. I finally have peace, and I am enjoying life now again. For those who don’t think that Jesus loves you, He does. I forgot who I was in Christ. I have a Father who loves me and is there for me. Throughout the Bible, you can find help in the person of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, there was a guy named Legion. He had a bunch of devils, and he met Jesus, and Jesus delivered him. Jesus has done that for me, and there are no words to describe it.

“I had been living a lie for years, and God didn’t want that for me. He pulled me out, rescued me, and brought me to the Mission. I used to love this place, and I still do. Here, you have people who love you, and it’s wonderful. I am very thankful. I should be dead, but God has given me another opportunity. If you think you are out or that God doesn’t love you or that you are beyond help, I felt that way. I walked that path, and it was horrible, and it felt like before I was saved. It has been a wonderful way back. He met me where I am, and He cares. Sometimes, I just cry and thank the Lord. I used to go to work, and I was in a bad state. I would pass a church that had a sign that said, ‘You are not forgotten.’ God was using that sign to tell me that I mattered, He cared for me.

“Before I came back here, I had gotten to a place where I didn’t believe anymore, but since I have been here, God has shown up so powerfully in my life and brought so much healing. And He isn’t finished with me yet. I have a lot to look forward to. He is there no matter what is going on in your life. Just say, ‘Jesus help me,’ and He will. I am being transformed, and it’s amazing to receive the peace of mind I needed so much. I am free, and I bow my heart to my LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, I matter to HIM.”

At Pacific Garden Mission, we always welcome people back with no judgment and open arms of love and support, knowing that no matter the struggle or sin, Jesus can fix it. With your support, PGM continues to be a spiritual hospital where people can come when they need help. People come from across the country to PGM to get help. Stories like Nick’s, of healing and renewal, wouldn’t be possible without your support, and we are happy and thankful to share it. Nick graduated from the New Day addictions recovery program and is now serving and studying in the Bible program.

Thank you for giving Nick another chance and for anything you can give to help others who need the love of Christ and the power He has to lead them into a brighter future.