My name is Anthony, originally from Milpitas, Calif. I ended up stranded in Merced because of my irrational living situation. I was homeless for at least a year or more before I got stuck in Merced with no way home one night. I went to the hospital that night and called my mom. She could not get me, and suggested I find a place to stay, like a homeless shelter. I asked a nurse, and she helped me find a place to go, the Merced Rescue Mission. There I met Willie and Anthony; we spoke about the programs before I went to sleep. I woke up and met Tom and Leticia Miller, who ran the Mission at that time. I gave my life to Jesus and signed up for the disciple program for a year. Then, I graduated and moved out. Soon after, I fell back into my old lifestyle of drinking, drugs, and breaking the law.

God was not done with me.

After three to four years, I met my future wife. She would be how I got back to God. She got sober and rededicated her life to God. She raised the standard, and told me if I didn’t live for God, we couldn’t be together. I submitted my life back to God and it was like He never left me. The prayers I prayed at the Mission came true. The words He spoke to me while I was in the program came true. I prayed for a wife who would love Jesus more than me and to have a family. He told me I was given the gift of evangelism. I now have been married for over 12 years, we have four kids, and I am not only a licensed minister with the Foursquare organization, but also ordained.

None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Tom and Leticia Miller, the Mission, and the surrounding supportive saints of Christ. I will forever be grateful to the Merced Rescue Mission. - Anthony