Alpha House Inc.

Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Born into addiction, neglect, abuse and love is the best way to describe my family. My father was married with a wife and two daughters when he met my mother. She had a husband and eight children. They both abandoned their families and ran off together. Six years and four children later they divorced. He left she remarried another man and had two boys. That is 16 kids in all.
My mother was addicted to alcohol, pills, and abusive men. How to put into words all the physical, sexual, and mental abuse I experienced in my childhood and young adult life is a challenge. Neglected and abused by my mother, and very often by some of the men she brought into my life. Abandoned by my father, I never understood that because he often kept my sisters and brother just not me. Even before I knew about God I was thankful for my siblings because if not for each other love would not have been part of our childhoods. Education was not something that was of any importance. We moved from state to state. I was in the tenth grade but I could only read at a 6th grade level. My mother moved so many times that I ended up going to 22 schools in ten years. I was so far behind in school that I FELT as if there was no point to continue. So I gave up at age 17 after failing the tenth grade.
I had no one to teach me the things of God not who He was, or what He did. I had no one to teach me the love of Christ. They did tell me about hell, fire, and damnation and that it was sure to be my destiny. What few times my family did introduce God to me was not good. All they taught me about Christ. Was when someone took His name in vain or at the kingdom hall. Teaching me, who He was not. Never was I, told the truth about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. However, I now know somewhere deep inside I knew.
Raised in a family of addiction, neglect, and abuse. Led me to trading in my marriage at age 28 For a lifestyle that was against God. I assumed the role of both my parents and abandoned my children. I fell into a deep depression and started using alcohol and drugs by age 30. My using was so out of control by age 35 it started a chain reaction of arrest after arrest. I did not see it then nor could I recognize what was really going on. However now that I can see, I see the reason for every arrest. God’s thoughts and God’s ways are higher than ours.
Matthew 25:36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. For the first time in my life 35 years old seeds starting to be planted. Each, and every time I went to jail the Lord put it on some woman’s heart to come in, and share with me what He had so freely been given to them Grace, Love, and Mercy. I would get out of jail spiritually strong with all good intent to move forward. For weeks sometimes-even months at a time I would do well. Then before I knew it fears, anger, resentment, bitterness, hate, pride. All of it would somehow creep back into my life and into my heart. I truly did not understand it. I FELT as if God just did not care. The last ten years of my life in and out of jail with Gods words being planted. Jail ministry after jail ministry was planting seeds. I tried but I could not figure out why God was not working for me. I would go to Church, I read my Bible, I did not understand it but I read it. About a week before I got to Alpha House, I fell into a deep depression. Almost the worst I had ever felt. I had fought depression for years. This time it was different. I was tired. I did not want to go on.
But God, What I now know as His (Divine Interventions). God reviled Himself to me in a jail cell. He showed up and showed out. In an instant, I realized what I had been doing. In an instant, I realized who I had been hurting. I hurt God. The only One that was there for me as a child. The One that gave me a loving husband and three beautiful children. So that I would know what true love felt like. God was the only one that ever truly loved me. In spite of myself He loved me. I had been tearing His Heart out little by little. In an instant, I felt His pain. All the hurt all the sorrow and all the wrong that people had done to me in my life could never add up to the real physical pain and hurt that I caused God to feel. In an instant, I realized that once again, I had assumed the role and abandoned abused and rejected the only One who ever truly loved me. He loved me in spite of myself. I praise God. I thank God. He is a God of Mercy a God of Blessings a God that loves us in spite of ourselves. A God whom delivers and rescues us. I will Praise His name forever. He will deliver us out of all situations. There is no heart too hard for God to break through.
Now it was time. The seeds that all those Ladies planted needed to be watered. God sent me to Alpha House. However, the Bible teaches that unless those seeds fall on good soil, the enemy will come in and take them away. Because some of those seeds fall on a hard heart, they have no root and cannot grow. Others choked out, by the ways of this world. Now it was time for those seeds that fell on good soil to be watered.
How many of you know Jesus never sinned? I never knew that before I got to Alpha House. That came to me one morning during prayer and praise. That is why the Bible called Him the Lamb of God. He was Gods spotless sacrifice to His self, for us. We cannot do it. We can never be good enough. I never understood that before I got to Alpha House.
How many of you know that when we accept Jesus He comes to live inside of us? I never understood that either. Well then, that means. If He is in us then we are in Him, and He seated at the right hand of the Father. Well then that means we are already there.
How about 2 Timothy 1:7? Did you know that God did not give us a spirit of fear? I did not know that. I thought God made me afraid. I thought He made me that way. God gave me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
These may seem like childlike revelations to you, but that is what I was. A child, God’s child. In need of love shelter and protection. Needing discipleship to be equipped to live like Christ. Needing a family to take me in and teach me the ways of the Kingdom of God. One more, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Did you know they are One? Actually, God gave me that one in jail, through some Church Ladies. Ladies I did not even know praying for me. His laborers came in and planted, they labored for the Lord 10 years. Now it is time for all those seeds to be watered.
God has anointed the women that labor at Alpha House. Evidence of His Holy Spirit is there. That is the love of God; 1 Corinthians 13:2. Although I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. The only way a person can get a revelation of Jesus is from God. Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. All the women from Alpha House pour so much love into the work they do for the Lord. For the first time in, I do not even know how long. I started seeing hope. God was reviling His self to me. He was giving me revelation after revelation of Jesus Christ. While Alpha House, was proving group studies. Teaching and showing me the ways of God. Diana, taught Battlefield of the mind. Carolyn, brought in a lesson showing me that I could renew my mind. Pastor Tony from House of Worship coming in and providing a study called freedom in Christ. Jeanette Debaets with Bible study teaching me the power of God’s word. The power of prayer and His promises. Jeanette took special time out of her life praying with me. I was learning how to take old thoughts captive, and replace them with new ones. I was learning about pulling down strongholds. That kept me in bondage. I was learning that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And having full understanding of just what all that meant.
Now I thought since now I can understand the Bible. Because to me that was the hard part. Understanding what I read in the Bible. I thought the easy part of Christianity It would seem to me like the easy part of God’s word. Would be sharing it with others. Now that I have the revelation of Jesus living inside me. The easy part should be applying it in my life. All I can even think to say to that is. God Bless Alpha House. All the mighty women of God, that works there. All the volunteers, that comes in for Bible studies. It takes a special anointing from God to be able to embrace all the fruit of the Spirit of God and Share it every day with others. Galatians 5:22-23 Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. Since sharing my new revelations of Jesus should be the easy part. Now go out unto the world and preach the Gospel. I should be able to right. Let me ask you. What do you think would happen to a person who had the revelation of Christ however had no social skills? My social skills at the time of my arrival to Alpha House consisted of manipulation, lying, gossip, and sarcasm. God had changed my heart, now it was time to renew my mind. Time to show me how to leave yesterday at the Cross. And how to leave tomorrow up to Jesus. Living at Alpha House was not easy for me, it was hard. I was starting to want what God wanted. Now it was time for someone to show me how to live like Christ.
God sent me to Alpha House. I will thank Him every day. Taking someone like me out of a mindset of survival mode and helping me develop the mind of Christ. Taking someone like me out of the mindset of fight or flight and teaching me how to trust in others. Showing me the love of God not just saying it not just teaching about the love of Christ but actually living it. Taking me from being a social outcast. To helping me develop my gifting’s and talents to become a productive member into the Kingdom of God. Teaching me how to step up and step out. With the knowing, that when we step out in faith we never walk alone. Teaching me how to live in this world and how not to be of this world. God uses every teacher every volunteer and every resident that comes through Alpha House as a vessel for His Glory.
Today I call my time at Alpha House my training. When I am in any given situation I know to focus on Jesus. I know to pray without ceasing and meditate on God’s word. Often times when I am frustrated and beginning to feel over whelmed. I can think back to my training and most of the time, I see what is going on around me, and apply the same principals and tactics that I learned at Alpha House to any given situation that I am presently experiencing.
I brought up my education at the beginning of my testament because it is important to share. Every individual that comes through Alpha House is exactly that, an individual. We all have individual needs and care. Teddy allowed me special time and special tools that helped me learn, and helped me comprehend that which I was reading. She gave me and showed me compassion and understanding, which in return boosted my confidence. While at the same time knowing, when not to extend too much time. I now know without a doubt, it was not without long-suffering on her part. I brought up how I FELT at the beginning of my testament because that too is important. I now know it is not about how we feel, it is about whom we know. Jesus Christ. I now know, God will show me how to get through. Jesus will show me and Jesus will grow me. I brought up not understanding why God was not working for me. Not knowing His promises and calling for my life. God uses the women from Alpha House as vessels to teach me how to accept and receive the promises He has for me. Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Alpha House is, a House of God, a House of Worship, a Sanctuary, a school but most of all to me it is my family. They are advancing the Kingdom of God one woman at a time. The most important thing I have ever learned is give God the Glory, for apart from Him we are nothing. Alpha House works together with God, in promoting the purposes of His Glory, and the salvation of precious souls; 1 Corinthians 3:7 neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
This is just the beginning of some of the things God has done for me. He is faithful and He will do the same for you. When we set your minds on things above, and not on the things on the earth. For we died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God. The Christian faith is that God has made peace through Jesus 'by the Blood of His Cross' When Christ who is our life appears, then we also will appear with Him in glory.
If you’re listening and you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I would be well blessed and honored to pray with you. Always remember, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
My most favorite thing that the Holy Spirit gave me when He wrote this testament is
To Be Continued………..

I first found out about Alpha House, Inc. at a probation appointment. I was lost and addicted to pain killers and very depressed. I began the program in Feb. 2010 and have been better for it. They really do change lives one woman at a time. The experience I had while I was there came through to my whole family. Addiction hurts everyone involved, not just the user. I was lucky enough to have a family, but lots of the women don't have anyone to turn to and have lost their kids and are in desperate need of a second chance. It is something that you have to want. You have to work towards it. It is about healing the entire body. Household chores, volunteer work, team work, and learning how to manage money are only the base of what they teach at Alpha House. So much goes into they recovery process. I have been clean for 3 years and owe it to God and Alpha House. I am now a wife, new mother, and back in college. I couldn't have done it with out Teddi and the crew.

My daughter was a client at Alpha House when it first started.She had been in alot of programs before going to Alpha House that I really didn't have much faith in but this one was different.The first time I walked through the door I could feel the unmeasurable love and desire by the staff to change lives.The people that run this place do it for one reason and thats to share Gods LOVE and help hopeless and sometimes heartless women find peace and a promising future by cleansing them spiritually,mentally,physically and giving them the tools to not live in the past but to live for the future.I have personally witnessed broken women change and become productive,successful,powerful women of God.One thing that really stood out in my mind was the first conversation that I had with the director when I talked to her about my daughter getting into the program and she said WE always pray about who we take into the program and to me that speaks volumes about there faith in God to lead them in the right direction with everything that they do there.My daughters life was changed forever and eternally by going to Alpha House.My daughter was there 4 years ago and by being there she was lead to God !Alpha House works with women to keep them out of jail and hell.They are transforming women's life for their future but also for eternity.My daughter died suddenly a year ago but because she was in this program and gave her life to God , she now lives eternally.The people that run this program were not only there for my daughter but they have also been there for more over the last four years.Thats what they do..they help others,the clients,the community and even the families of past clients.They Give !!!I would love to see them win so that they can continue to grow and change lives forever.This is a small non profit group with a HUGE heart and alot of desire to see others succeed.I can not put into words what a blessing and great place Alpha House is.I think almost every family has someone that is struggling with drug addiction and I can in all honesty say that I would tell them to call Alpha House if they really want there life to be forever changed.I hope you will 2104...I hope you will pick them too !!!

I have been around Alpha House since the first day. They give women individual care and attention. They are fully relying on God to lead them in the direction they need to go. I've witnessed many women graduate the program and lead productive lives without the help of any substance. As someone who has battled addiction I know how hard that can be. I also know how much it helps to have a group of people around who are willing and able to answer questions and help you make important, sometimes hard, decisions in life. I personally would like to thank all the people involved in helping to make the lives if others, and their children, better.

My name is Joella Evans. I graduated Alpha House in November of 2010. As soon as I walked in Alpha House I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I was an addict for 10 years. My drug use made me lose everything, including my self dignity, self-respect, and having any kind of love for anyone. At Alpha House I learned that I am not alone. I learned that I have a God that loves me, and is with me at all times. All employees and volunteers at Alpha House have become some of my closest friends. I adore them. They all gave me so much love. I gained so much back in the short time I was there. I hope some of you will make the choice to go to Alpha House. They will become your sisters in Christ, and they will love you just when you think you can't be loved. God loves us, and He will lead and guide us sometimes through others. Thank you Alpha House for believing in me. I love you.

As a recent graduate of the Alpha House program, I highly recommend this to women who are serious about changing their lives, restoring relationships & becoming closer to Christ. Alpha House provided all of my basic needs as well as spiritual & emotional needs. I am now equipped with the tools needed to have a successful sober, productive & enjoyable life. I thank God daily for the staff, donors, & volunteers that make this program so awesome. I encourage anyone to spiritually & emotionally invest in the residences of this program. I am eternally grateful for God's obedient children & the faith they have.

Renee' M. Harbin

Alpha House was born of a vison while my sisters and I worked in jail ministry in Anderson County Tennessee. We saw the incredible need in the community for a place that ladies could go when they left jail to help them get themselves prepared for inclusion back into the community. We ultimately desired to minister to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of women through the saving power of Jesus Christ. The women that come to Alpha House learn skills that enable them make correct decisions.

Alpha House is an incredicle transitional home for women who have been incarcerated. These women often have substance ,and/or, alcohol abuse issues, that have led to illegal activities that have resulted n them spending time in jail. They have often burned bridges with their families and friends and find themselves in a very bleak situation---one that does not offer hope. Alpha House teaches healing the inner brokeness and breaking the bonds of addictions -- through the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way to end the cycle of the addiction process and the bondage that satan has created. Jesus provides restoration to many women through Alpha House. In a world where the enemy is ever so present--it is ever-so humbling to be allowed to see the miracles performed at Alpha House! Alpha House is a place well worth looking into, visiting, and supporting. Thank You,Lord for such a home in our community!

Alpha House gives ladies a start at a new life, centered on Christ Jesus. The House teaches these ladies life skills to enable them to function in society, and grounds them in faith in God. They have been a blessing to me every time I have been there to teach or just to visit the girls. These ladies have overcome some dire circumstances to even be alive right now, and it is wonderful to see how God has moved in their lives.