Say hello to Haley, a new face at Freedom House. You will find her on
Sunday mornings sitting in the front row with a headset on, or helping
out as a stage hand. Even though she’s new to Freedom House, she has
already become a volunteer on the production team!
Born and raised in Charlotte, God has smiled on Haley since the
beginning. Born with health problems, the prognosis was that she would
be paralyzed. Her grandmother called a local radio station for prayer.
After two and half weeks of therapy, the threat of paralysis was gone.
She has four younger brothers on her mom’s side, and two older
sisters and a younger sister and brother on her father’s side. Even
though she didn’t meet her father until she was seven, Haley grew up
feeling like part of “one big happy family.” Her relationship with her
father was off again, on again. Growing up she heard derogatory things
about her father, leaving her with mixed feelings towards her him. She
said a sermon by Pastor Troy Maxwell about forgiveness at an Encounter
that led her down the path to forgiving her father.
Haley was involved in a different ministry when she discovered
Freedom House. She was becoming discouraged because she felt that church
members behaved one way Sunday and differently the rest of the week. At
Freedom House, she feels everyone is trying their best to improve
themselves spiritually every day. She had gone with members of her
former church to the Music Factory where Freedom House was doing a live
recording. She vividly remembers Lesley singing “Won Me Over,” and she
was won over. Haley says, “Freedom House makes me feel at home. They are
there for me.” She feels many of the pastor’s messages talk directly to
her. Many messages have helped her to make positive decisions for her
life.
For instance, at an Encounter, Pastor Clint Pugh was talking about
forgiving yourself for something that was done to you and is not your
fault. She knew this message was for her. The following Sunday at
church, she wanted to be prayed over with other individuals with
physical ailments. Haley wanted to be prayed over for her TMJ. But when
Pastor Troy got to her, he called over Pastor Penny Maxwell who prayed
over her for healing in a relationship. Haley had been in an abusive
relationship for the past couple months. The prayers gave her the
strength to forgive herself and end the relationship.
Haley is passionate about helping people. This was the reason she
started a career in nursing. However, she was unhappy with the fact that
patient symptoms were eased by medications instead of the root of the
illness being sought. So she switched her major and colleges. She
started helping people improve their health before they get sick.
Haley’s enthusiasm will lead her to success while helping people improve
their physical well-being.
Haley’s favorite quote is: “You will never find happiness if you do
not conquer your own doubt,” and she is certainly succeeding in finding
her happiness. She feels the love at Freedom House where everyone,
including Pastors Troy and Penny, are honest and upfront about going
through rough times and having faults. “One of the main things I love
about Freedom House and the leaders is they all celebrate where you are
and where you are going instead of dwelling on where you have been.”
What’s your story? Is Freedom House making a difference? Let us know.
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