In this powerful episode, we hear from Allen Durham, Business Development team member at VOA Northern Rockies, as he shares his deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and faith.

Allen began drinking and using drugs at a young age—it was all around him. What started as fun quickly turned into a 17-year battle that led him through four treatment programs. The final one, at VOA Northern Rockies, came at the recommendation of a prosecuting attorney—and it became the turning point.

Raised in church by a faithful mother, Allen drifted far from God during his darkest moments. “I didn’t have hope, love, or faith,” he says. But while sitting alone in a trailer, God met him. That moment changed everything. “Christ touched my soul,” he recalls.

Recovery wasn’t easy. Learning to be honest with himself and connect with others took time and daily discipline. Allen shares that what makes a person isn't how far they fall—it's how they rise again. And he continues rising, one day at a time.

He reflects on:

• The lifelong nature of recovery and transformation
• The importance of surrendering your whole life, not just parts of it
• Why community and environment matter—“Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future”
• How God uses our weaknesses as strength
• Finding hope, purpose, and practical wisdom in faith, especially in the book of James

💬 “If you feel like you’re too broken to change—there is hope for you. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it. If you do it as easy, your life will be hard. If you do it as hard, your life will be easy.”