Addict for 30 Years Celebrating 2 Years of Freedom in Christ!

On September 20th, 2008, I had the privilege of speaking at the GodChick’s conference hosted by Holly Wagner, where she pastors with her husband Philip at Oasis Christian Center in Hollywood. There were several thousand women there, but little did I know that one of the women in the crowd had been addicted to drugs for 30 years and had partied all night the previous night. She had been invited to attend this conference because of some of the women she had met that call themselves GodChicks (www.godchicks.com). Not only did Denise bring me her black bag full of drugs and drug paraphernalia, but she boldly proclaimed to me that she had always been told ‘once an addict, always an addict’ and did not know it was possible for her to choose freedom and choose life. It was at that point that I laid my hands on Denise and broke the power of addiction over her life. I was so amazed that someone would actually bring their whole bag of drugs and drug paraphernalia and hand them over as if to say I am done with this life – it was a strong act of faith on her part, and totally an act of faith that God has honored to this day. Denise has not done drugs since that time!!!

Let me revert back to the very first time I heard from Denise, approximately three weeks after I prayed for her that day. Hear it in Denise’s own words…

This letter is to Nancy Alcorn, (Dated October 15, 2008)

I met you at the September 20 GodChicks conference in Los Angeles, CA. I am a 42 year old victim of sexual abuse. I was a drug addict for 30 years. I came to you with my black bag to fully surrender my addictions over to Jesus Christ as my last attempt to rid myself of that hell. You prayed over me at the altar AND I HAVE NOT DONE DRUGS SINCE. I gave you my black bag that was full of paraphernalia and drugs. That was the last time I ever wanted drugs again. Jesus took it away from me. YEA!!

YOU HELPED JESUS SAVE MY LIFE AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. I have you in my prayers every night and have shared my testimony with many of the people at Oasis Church in LA. Because of you and the GodChicks, and of course Jesus, I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!!!!!

Thank you so much for the powerful words you said to me that day, and the prayer you prayed over me. I am truly free. And now that I am clean from drugs, instead of hiding from the world in fear of my next relapse, I have the power, love and sound mind of Jesus Christ!

30 years I walked with the monkey on my back. NOW IT IS GONE!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

and God Bless You ALWAYS!!!

Denise

NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, Denise just celebrated her two year anniversary of freedom in Christ. She has a whole new life and shares Christ with everyone she comes in contact with. She just attended the Joyce Meyer Conference in St. Louis over the weekend followed by attending Destiny Church with our residents on Sunday and then gave her testimony to our St. Louis residents on Monday. She then flew to Nashville and spoke to our Nashville residents on Tuesday and flew back to LA just this afternoon. She attended a Mercy graduation of four of the young girls who graduated yesterday afternoon, and this morning she attended a water baptism where I had the privilege of water baptizing 20 young women who are currently residents of our Nashville home. After Denise spoke, she took questions from the girls and spent the rest of the day talking one-on-one with them, spending time with them, and praying for them. Her impact is still being felt, and we thank God for this beautiful friend that God has given us. Denise is a true miracle, and a true example of the freedom and transformation that is available through Christ. Mercy is being multiplied, and we are so thankful that when we call upon the Lord, He hears us and He answers us.

I also want to honor Pastor Philip and Holly Wagner for making Denise a part of their church family for the past two years and for providing accountability and discipleship. This is truly a picture of what the local church should be all about. If you are in the LA area you should totally visit their church -- www.oasisla.org

SO PROUD OF YOU, DENISE!!!

Denise celebrating her two year anniversary of freedom in Christ!

Denise encouraging the residents

Denise with Nancy celebrating her two years of freedom!