My name is Jim Connell, publisher of FaithAnswers Press. Through my story and other stories like this, I hope to bring encouragement to other Christians who may be encountering similar circumstances. No two lives are exactly alike, but there are often close parallels. Perhaps you need to tell your own story. And who knows but that you have gone through the ups and downs of your life to encourage others in their faith as well.
I was born in 1954 to Christian, middle-class parents. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, I moved to Toledo in the middle of first grade, and from there I moved to Bridgeton, Missouri (a suburb of St. Louis) from 7th to 12th grade. From a young age, faith was a cornerstone of our household.
Early Childhood
My father was always available to answer any questions I had about Christianity, fostering a natural curiosity and understanding of our faith. One of my earliest and most profound influences was my grandmother, a woman whose unwavering love and trust in the Lord left an indelible mark on my heart. Because she loved God so deeply, and I loved her, it felt entirely natural for me to believe in a good and loving God.
It was in grade school that I fully came to faith in Christ. My grandmother’s example and her passion for the Lord helped me understand the concepts of love and trust in a very tangible way. One Scripture that has always resonated with me through this period is John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This verse encapsulates the essence of what my grandmother modeled every day.
Another guiding verse in my journey has been Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” My parents and grandmother took this to heart, ensuring that my upbringing was steeped in biblical teachings and Christian values. These early lessons laid a solid foundation for my faith, a foundation that has sustained me throughout my life.
Early Adulthood
After graduating from high school, I attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for two years. However, my time there was cut short by a heart-wrenching breakup with my girlfriend. Overwhelmed with sadness and uncertainty, I decided to quit school and return to St. Louis. Back home, I found work as a motel desk clerk and lived with my sister for less than a year. My future seemed uncertain, and I struggled to find direction.
In a bid to seek new opportunities, a coworker and I hitchhiked to California, hoping to find better work prospects. Unfortunately, our venture was unsuccessful, and we returned to St. Louis within a few weeks. Unemployed and seeking purpose, I turned to the Bible and began reading the four gospels for the first time. As I immersed myself in these sacred texts, I was struck by their profound truth and divine inspiration. The words resonated deeply within me, and I realized they could not be mere words of man, but the inspired words of God written by man.
One verse that particularly affirmed this realization was 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” This newfound understanding marked a turning point in my spiritual journey. I began to take my faith more seriously, recognizing the Bible as a divine guide for my life. This period of introspection and spiritual growth laid the groundwork for a deeper, more committed relationship with God.
My Early Career
My father relocated to Indianapolis to start an art show enterprise, partnering with a financial backer in nearby Zionsville who was opening a store on Main Street. I moved in with him and began working at the store. Shortly thereafter, an opportunity arose to join my father in his art business and move to Indianapolis. This period was fulfilling as it allowed me to better know, respect, and admire my dad.
During this time, I met my wife Becky, and we were married a little more than a year later. A few years later, our daughter Laura was born, and a few years after that, our son Brian was born. Both of our children are now happily married.
The next twelve years were marked by a series of jobs, including the completion of my bachelor’s degree at IUPUI, and my certification as a CPA and Certified Financial Planner. Despite these professional achievements, I struggled with personal sin, habitually frequenting bars. I knew that God could help me overcome these temptations if I turned to Him for support. A verse that resonated with me during this struggle was 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Ultimately, it took leaving Indianapolis and accepting a professional position in Columbus, Indiana, to help me overcome my struggles. This move provided the fresh start I needed to break free from old habits and fully rely on God’s strength to guide me through temptation.
A Time for Equipping
My work as the CFO at Quinco, a community mental health center, over the next seven years was incredibly rewarding. However, in my final year, I was reassigned and subsequently laid off due to budget cuts. Believing I had unfairly lost my dream job in finance, I found myself at my wit’s end. Despite my strong desire to remain in Columbus because of our church and community ties, I doubted this would be possible due to limited career opportunities. I faced a choice: become bitter about my circumstances or believe that God had something even better in store for my family. I chose to trust Him, knowing that He loved me and wanted the best for me. This trust allowed me to experience greater worship of Him amidst an uncertain future. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Soon enough, God opened the door for me to become a Project Manager for the start-up of a free medical clinic in Columbus. This one-year job required me to trust that God would provide for my family afterward. The position was my most satisfying yet, knowing the clinic would help the medically indigent population for years to come. As 2 Corinthians 5:7 states, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” God’s timing was perfect when the year ended, and Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation hired me to run their annual fundraising campaign. Although I initially questioned why God would place someone with my background in fundraising, I trusted His plan. Looking back, I realized He was equipping me for something greater.
A few years later, a new supervisor with different plans for me led to another job search. I discovered my vocational interests in evangelism and social outreach, which guided me toward rescue missions—Christian nonprofit organizations serving the homeless and poor. With my administrative and fundraising skills, I considered starting a rescue mission in a city that needed one, preferably close to Indiana where our aging parents lived. Of three possible locations, Lexington, Kentucky, seemed the best choice due to its shortage of homeless services, particularly for men.
This decision required immense faith. It meant quitting my job, leaving my wife and son in Columbus until he entered college, increasing our living expenses, starting and running an organization with no direct experience, and knowing no one in Lexington. Seeking confirmation, Becky and my church in Columbus supported the idea. I also received confirmation at a regional rescue mission conference. Despite knowing this could be the hardest work I had ever done, I felt it was the right work. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” On April 1, 2001, I left Columbus and moved to Lexington, excited to see God’s hand in starting the Lexington Rescue Mission.
My Most Rewarding Work
Upon arriving and incorporating the Lexington Rescue Mission, I formed a small board of directors and identified a property to buy. Although we had no money for the purchase, the Lord worked through my realtor to find a couple who generously donated the down payment needed to secure the mortgage. By November, the first floor of the property was approved for occupancy by the city. Volunteers joined me in serving a Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, and we began serving free meals from the Mission facility the following week.
Less than two years later, we started moving men into the upstairs dormitory. All these men were struggling with addictions to alcohol or drugs, so we initiated a Christian faith-based recovery program. The following years were filled with many twists and turns. Money was always tight, especially in the summer, but God consistently provided. We never missed paying our staff and other expenses, as unexpected major gifts would arrive just in time to keep the Mission solvent.
God’s guidance ensured that the Mission met the community’s needs. Instead of duplicating existing emergency shelters, He led us to focus on beds for a residential recovery program and to add supplementary services for residents and the broader community.
After nearly 20 years as Executive Director, I retired. God richly blessed me by the Mission Board’s appointment of my well-qualified daughter, Laura Carr, as my successor. Starting with a revenue of about $70,000 in its first year, the Mission now operates with a budget exceeding $3 million. As Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” only God could have accomplished this.
My Spiritual Take-Aways
As I reflect back over my lifetime, I see God’s hand not only in giving me the limited free will to make my own choices but also in guiding those choices in a way that’s ultimately best for me. I now understand that everything God permits to happen to His people are ultimately good for them, helping us to mature in our faith and bringing Him the glory He alone deserves.
After many ups and downs in my life, I have learned to trust in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. Through every challenge and triumph, He has shown me that His plans are always for my good, even when I couldn’t see it at the time. As James 1:2-4 reminds us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I now know it is Jesus Christ to whom I belong and for whom I should live. This understanding brings constant joy and gratitude into my heart and the hearts of God’s people. It is a profound privilege to serve a God who is always faithful, always good, and always working for our ultimate benefit. As I continue my journey, I remain committed to living for His glory and trusting in His perfect plan for my life.
