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Rocky Fondren - Founder & Pastor of Shiloh Ministries
I first give God glory and honor for what He alone has done to save me and deliver me from 23 years of enslavement to drugs. In 1968, at the age of 17 I began using drugs in High School. I was involved with others doing the same and we where labeled the “Psychedelic Generation”. I was raised in a Christian home and was loved by both my parents therefore; I have no excuse for the path that I chose.
I experimented with marijuana, LSD, and barbiturates. In 1971 I was drafted into the U.S. Army. It was an honor to have served my country during those difficult times our country was going through. It was during this time I was introduced to heroin. After finishing my tour (with honor) in the army I spent the next 17 years using alcohol, heroin, and cocaine. I tried 7 different secular drug institutions. I was prescribed Valium and anti-depressants for my mental torment and methadone for my Heroin addiction.
In 1991 I finally surrendered to God by entering Canaan Land Ministries, a one year Christian recovery program in Alabama. It was at Canaan Land that I received Jesus as LORD & Savior. For the first time God’s Word became revelation to me by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He also gave me purpose for life. God spoke to my heart and told me to testify of His love to others enslaved in abusive lifestyles. I graduated from Canaan Land with success.
In 1993 I joined Mercy Ships for three years as an ocean going missionary. I was assigned to work in the engine room. It was a time of refining in my life as the Lord purged out years of bitterness, selfishness, faultfinding, and anger. God used the uncomfortable (the smell of diesel, and seasickness) environment of a ships engine room to develop character and intimacy with Him. I asked God for a Christian wife. I met my wife to be, Debbie the first year with Mercy Ships. God had sent me His best and we were joined in marriage in 1998. There was much more preparation for the both of us.
In 1996 I went on staff at Maranatha Church in Mont Belvieu, Texas. I performed many different jobs at Maranatha Church and proved my loyalty to God in becoming an armor bearer to my pastor. God was training me to be a servant leader. After four years I was released with my pastor’s blessings to pioneer Shiloh Ministries in the year 2000.
My life has been dramatically changed by God’s divine intervention. The LORD has added so many blessings to my life to value and steward. God is love and He is real. Do not miss out on the best gift ever given to mankind, “Jesus Christ” (“the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10). Life is a matter of choices. Choose the abundant life with God or a life of insignificance. God desires to give you joy unspeakable. I praise God for His faithfulness in response to my cry for help.
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