Our Story

the journey to sobriety, recovery, and restoration

Living Free

If you are struggling with an addiction, our church offers a Christ-centered, 12 Step-based recovery ministry that provides a safe place where you can find healing and wholeness. Click here to find out more about our Living Free recovery ministry. If you do not live in the Melbourne/Palm Bay area, there are many other books, meetings, and online resources that will offer the help you need.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous formed in 1935 and has been a source of sobriety for millions of people around the world. AA fellowships are available in most cities and towns across the United States. The book Alcoholics Anonymous contains the 12 Steps and offers a path to recovery. Click here to find an AA meeting near you.

Positive Sobriety Podcast

This is a weekly podcast hosted by Nate Larkin and David Hampton. With stories from a variety of guests, this podcast is a source of insight and encouragement for those who are searching for help as well as those with long-term sobriety. Click here to listen to episodes of this podcast. Click here to listen to my story on the podcast.

Jodie Stevens

Jodie Stevens is a talented writer and producer who also hosts a recovery podcast. She interviewed me for one of her episodes. I talked with her about the insanity of addiction; the impact it has on families; the deceit and hiding; the beauty in finally confessing; the nature of the 12-Steps; the spiritual side of recovery; God's healing power; the difference between the church and AA.

Heather Kopp

Heather is the author of Sober Mercies: How Love Caught Up with a Christian Drunk. As a Christian who is also an alcoholic, she offers an encouraging voice for those dealing with the guilt and shame of this seeming contradiction.

Genesis Process

The Genesis Process provides a Biblical and neuro-chemical understanding of our brokenness and self-destruction. The Bible and other literature have told us for literally thousands of years that if we want to change who we are and what we do, we have to change our heart. The Genesis Process is intentional about initiating lasting heart (brain) changes, thus bringing healing to what drives destructive behavior rather than just coping with it. Click here to find out more.

Testimonies of Sobriety and Recovery

“What does sobriety mean to me? It means getting my life back, not the life I knew before, but a ‘new freedom and a new happiness’! For so long I buried my feelings, hurts and fears with alcohol. Little did I know those things were never truly buried and just became so much worse. I lived a lonely life of lies and hiding from the people I loved most. In recovery, through AA and Living Free, I have found a new community of friends that have become family. I even chair a meeting once a week, something I never thought I was worthy of. What both meetings ultimately point you to is relying on God. HE is our source of strength to overcome temptation and is the only one that can truly take the desire away. I am grateful to God for His unending love and forgiveness, as well as my family showing me those same things. If you are battling an addiction, don’t wait. Finding the rooms of AA or Living Free is not a shameful thing, it’s the start of your brand-new life. Progress, not perfection!”

“I had been on a sober, drinking carousel for 30 years. Drinking not drinking. Always thinking my will power was the way to stay sober. Most people didn't have a clue that I drank. Alcoholics are masters of hiding and secrets. Tired of the carousel I reluctantly went to AA. I was sure I wasn't like any of those people. I listened and looked around. They were at peace, happy and had a relationship with God. They had what I had strived to get for 30 years. They understood! They had done the same things I had done and didn't judge. I wasn't alone trying to stay sober by my will power. With God's help and AA I am now sober, happy, and have friends. I no longer have to hide.”

“Two years ago, I realized that I had become an addict to sexual stimulation on a self-destructive path and needed help. I reached out to my pastor, friends, and a Christian counselor, but the means by which God helped me the most was Living Free. In the providence of God, Paxson was just restarting Living Free and when I heard him describing his daily cycle of falling to temptation as an addict before recovery I knew this was God's answer to my call for help. The first three of the 12 steps (which are basically the gospel) and the accountability of others who are depending on God alone for sobriety were especially helpful to me and broke the power of my addiction. I am SO thankful to God for rescuing me from where I was two years ago!”

“My journey in recovery began back in 2013 when, in an attempt to reconcile my marriage, I enrolled in an 11-month, faith-based 12-step program. After graduation I came home and remained sober, but I became anxious and depressed. Within 18 months I had serious thoughts of suicide. As a last resort I went to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. After retaining a sponsor and beginning to work the 12 steps things began to change. Around the same time I was introduced to AA, I met Paxson and soon after he told me about a program starting at his church called Living Free. The combination of these two programs helped me to build a foundation of recovery and faith in God. Today I am no longer anxious or depressed and suicide is the furthest thing from my mind! Today I live my life focused on Jesus, one day at a time.”

“As someone who has battled with addiction for years, I have learned that you cannot have victory in isolation. Being routinely with believers who are faithfully breaking the power of addiction through the regular confession of sins has been instrumental in my sobriety. Living Free offered a safe place full of encouragement and community to strengthen my resolve to kill my sin and break my addictive behaviors. I would highly recommend the group to anyone who is looking to break free of addictions in their life.”