Not everyone who comes to PGM for help gets it right the first time. It’s more common than not for it to take several wholehearted attempts to overcome strongholds like addiction, anger, remorse, or depression. While some succeed on their first try, nothing is done in vain for those who don’t. The Biblical wisdom and relationship with God they are first introduced to often lead them back for help after stumbling, where they eventually experience true transformation. This is the case for Nathaniel’s story. We hope his story encourages you.

Nathaniel Reed

“I grew up in Chicago. In the ’60s and ’70s, we would steal out of stores and cars. After I went to Stateville prison for three years, I started getting into gangs. When I got out of jail, all I knew was to go straight to the gangs because they were all in the prison with me. That is all I knew. God spared me from the gangs. I went through gangs for about 18 years. After the police broke us up, I found myself doing more bad stuff on the streets by myself than I was with the gangs prior.

“Before I came to Pacific Garden Mission, I was smoking and doing all kinds of drugs. I was going into garbage cans and getting stuff and eating it. Not only was I eating it, but anything I could find, I was selling it to other people, and I was hoping they wouldn’t ask where I got it from.

“I realize that God is the only one I can lean on. I can accomplish nothing without Christ because He died for my sins.”

“I came to PGM the first time because I had nothing else to do and nowhere else to go. I had messed up everything that I had. I was hungry and had no money. Somebody told me about Pacific Garden Mission and said I could always get something to eat there and sleep. I stayed from 2005 until 2007.

“The first time I left PGM, I had a job working for a restaurant. I thought I had my life together, but I went right back into the streets, into the drug society, doing the same things I was doing at first. Until I took a drug that almost killed me. The devil is serious about dragging us back into that mess. I found something, took it, and wound up getting very sick. I stayed at my niece’s house, sick in bed for days. I told my niece I had to go back to Pacific Garden Mission because I had almost died.

“So I came back here in 2008. When I came back, I thought people would laugh and talk about me for coming back so soon, but I had to get over that. It wasn’t about them. It was really about the Lord. When I did come back, they took me in with open arms.

“This time, I came and Jesus worked on me. I feel there are many things I have to do instead of going back out into that messed-up world. I was introduced to God in the old building but went a whole other route. God never left my mind, so when I came back, I realized this was the best place I could have come to get back in touch with God so that God could work on me instead of trying to do it myself. There were many things I wanted to do, but they all got messed up. Thank God the Mission took me in with open arms.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“We are working with Pastor Phil now, and he is taking care of the Mission. Many of the people working with him are friendly. I don’t know where else I could have gone where I feel this comfortable around people. They feel like family. When I came here, I realized that some cared for me more than my family did. The only place I enjoy going is the Mission because I know it is a whole different family the Lord has put me into. I realize God is the only one I can lean on. I can accomplish nothing without Christ because He died for my sins. Whatever route we go, we will still end up in front of Him. I want to hear God say, ‘Well done, my faithful servant.’

My favorite Bible verse is: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ It tells me to stop trying to take things into my own hands and to always depend on the Lord. God is always telling us to do one thing while my mind and flesh are telling me to do something else. We must stop at times and realize there is a small, well, a big, quiet voice trying to talk to us. I thank God I came this route instead of running back into that world. During my life on the streets, I realize over 20 different times I should have been dead, but it seems God has a whole other plan for me.”

Nathaniel continues to serve at PGM faithfully and lives as a fully functioning follower of Jesus Christ. With his apartment and independence, he reflects the power of God to transform a life. Earlier in life, Nathaniel was involved in crime and ungodly behavior but now lives as an example for others, showing there is another way to live that is far more wholesome, rewarding, and sustainable. He may not have gotten it right the first time, but God didn’t give up on him. Thank you for supporting our ministry, and for anything you can give today to make more fully functioning followers.