I officiated at Cliff and Allison's wedding three weeks ago. It was quite a journey to that day. (On the left is Cliff's daughter, Taylor. A sweetheart!)
I first met Cliff 19 years ago when he was 17. He is a local boy. Allison grew up near Nashville, moving here after graduation from Harding University’s PA program. I recall overhearing the first time she asked Donna about, “This guy, named Cliff.” Their backgrounds were very different and there were big hurdles, but we gently, and prayerfully, stood with them over nearly three years of ‘courtship.’ Cliff mellowed, softened, and grew under the yoke of humility before Christ. Allison moved into the arms of Jesus learning to balance works and doctrine with relationship. We watched as both grew more into the likeness of Christ and in love with each other.
Allison works for Day Spring Health Services serving in Jellico at the Indian Mountain Clinic. She serves after hours leading Girl Talk (the outreach to local girls that Donna and Hannah began many years ago). Allison, like Cliff, seeks to know truth and has a sincere and pure desire to live it well, and both work to increase the knowledge of Christ in others.
The first 30 years of his life, Cliff wandered in a cloud of spiritual darkness. A difficult childhood led to a troubled adolescence, and into a failing adulthood. That all changed when God entered his life. An insatiable hunger for righteousness put him on a fast-track to Christian maturity. He approached me about 3 years ago about serving on the board of a recovery center he felt led to open in Jellico. I agreed, Cliff worked tirelessly, and God answered prayers so that within two years the doors opened on Springs of Life. Springs is a Christ-focused men’s recovery center that currently houses 8 men. I Thursday mornings each week with the men and staff for individual counseling sessions. Springs is the only recovery ministry to men in Jellico and arguably the the most effective in the region, if not the State. Weekly, Drug-Court officials comment, "The Springs guys are “different. They are so much more changed.”
The county judge, and city mayor, and DA are just a few who hold Springs of Life up to others as a model facility doing “exceptional work.” And I concur that it is an exceptional work in many ways. First, the men affected are deeply connecting with God. These men’s hearts are being turned back to their children. Relationships are being restored. They are chemical free, defeating lust, building careers, and fellowshipping with Believers. I personally hold Springs up as THE MOST effective drug-recovery center I’ve ever had any association with. It ranks at the top, as well, with THE MOST effective Christian disciple-making ministries I’ve ever known.
On the Springs of Life staff with Cliff is Ben Clayton. Ben and Brittany Clayton are a third couple whom the LORD has brought forth over the past years. I'll introduce Ben and Brittany to you next week.
I first met Cliff 19 years ago when he was 17. He is a local boy. Allison grew up near Nashville, moving here after graduation from Harding University’s PA program. I recall overhearing the first time she asked Donna about, “This guy, named Cliff.” Their backgrounds were very different and there were big hurdles, but we gently, and prayerfully, stood with them over nearly three years of ‘courtship.’ Cliff mellowed, softened, and grew under the yoke of humility before Christ. Allison moved into the arms of Jesus learning to balance works and doctrine with relationship. We watched as both grew more into the likeness of Christ and in love with each other.
Allison works for Day Spring Health Services serving in Jellico at the Indian Mountain Clinic. She serves after hours leading Girl Talk (the outreach to local girls that Donna and Hannah began many years ago). Allison, like Cliff, seeks to know truth and has a sincere and pure desire to live it well, and both work to increase the knowledge of Christ in others.
The first 30 years of his life, Cliff wandered in a cloud of spiritual darkness. A difficult childhood led to a troubled adolescence, and into a failing adulthood. That all changed when God entered his life. An insatiable hunger for righteousness put him on a fast-track to Christian maturity. He approached me about 3 years ago about serving on the board of a recovery center he felt led to open in Jellico. I agreed, Cliff worked tirelessly, and God answered prayers so that within two years the doors opened on Springs of Life. Springs is a Christ-focused men’s recovery center that currently houses 8 men. I Thursday mornings each week with the men and staff for individual counseling sessions. Springs is the only recovery ministry to men in Jellico and arguably the the most effective in the region, if not the State. Weekly, Drug-Court officials comment, "The Springs guys are “different. They are so much more changed.”
The county judge, and city mayor, and DA are just a few who hold Springs of Life up to others as a model facility doing “exceptional work.” And I concur that it is an exceptional work in many ways. First, the men affected are deeply connecting with God. These men’s hearts are being turned back to their children. Relationships are being restored. They are chemical free, defeating lust, building careers, and fellowshipping with Believers. I personally hold Springs up as THE MOST effective drug-recovery center I’ve ever had any association with. It ranks at the top, as well, with THE MOST effective Christian disciple-making ministries I’ve ever known.
On the Springs of Life staff with Cliff is Ben Clayton. Ben and Brittany Clayton are a third couple whom the LORD has brought forth over the past years. I'll introduce Ben and Brittany to you next week.
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