From Hopeless to Called

Based on a report from Fernando Gonzalez, pastor of Alianza de Magnolia in Puerto Rico

Alianza de Magnolia is a church located in the urban area of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. It is a daily occurrence for the pastor, Fernando Gonzalez, to see or be approached by those fighting alcoholism, drug addiction, and other dysfunctions.

“I had a strong conviction from the Spirit that we had to have a meaningful response to these bound souls,” Fernando said. Therefore, Alianza de Magnolia partnered with an addiction treatment center, Loving-the-Fallen Home (in Spanish, Hogar Dando Amor al Caído, or HDAC) which has seen many lives restored.

Addiction Gives Way to Restoration

One man, Alexis Nieves, lived in Houston, Texas, until his daughter’s mother kicked him out of the house for using illegal drugs. He moved to Puerto Rico to live with his mother but continued to struggle. His mother told him to leave as well, and he was homeless again for several months.

Alexis’ mother then simultaneously disowned him and went to court to have him involuntarily admitted to a rehabilitation home. He arrived at HDAC confused and angry, but while there he accepted the Lord as his Savior.

After several months, Alexis’ mother asked him to return home, but he told her that he believed it was not God’s will for him to leave without completing his treatment. After praying, he understood that the Lord wanted him to preach the gospel.

Alexis is about to finish the program and is seeking direction from God about his next steps.

When another man, Jecksan Morales, came to HDAC, he had been destroyed by drug abuse. He had wandered around homeless in the city of Mayagüez for several months, asking for money at intersections. A man from one of the Alliance churches in Mayagüez brought him to HDAC.

Since coming to HDAC, Jecksan developed leadership skills, helping to supervise and collaborate with other program participants. He left rehabilitated and now serves as president of the Alliance Men at Iglesia ACyM Mayagüez I. In fall 2017 he will begin studies in the pastoral ministry bachelor’s program at Seminario Teológico de Puerto Rico.

“It is a blessing to have the HDAC participants worship with us,” Fernando explains, “as our congregation has become a first-hand witness of the liberating, healing power of Jesus.”

Humble Beginnings

In 2009, Fernando met Noel Cintrón, who was developing HDAC. At the time, the ministry was based in Noel’s home. He wanted to find a church in Bayamón where he could worship with the addicts he was helping. Fernando offered his church.  After looking at a few others, Noel decided that God wanted HDAC to work with Alianza de Magnolia.

The congregation welcomed the ministry with open arms, even setting aside part of the offering for HDAC. Congregants gathered to pray twice weekly for each participant and continue to do so. One of the elders even committed to preaching in HDAC’s chapel once monthly. In 2012, the church officially took on HDAC as its own ministry with Noel as executive director.

HDAC is now a licensed institution recognized by the Puerto Rican government. The Mental Health Services and Anti-Drug Addiction Administration oversee its work. Last year, HDAC opened remodeled facilities that allow 29 men to be treated at a time.

A Difficult Journey

The program lasts 18 months and incorporates psychological and spiritual elements. Participants receive housing and meals on top of their needed treatment; no one is turned away due to finances.

The men attend chapel daily in addition to worshiping at Alianza de Magnolia every Sunday. They are offered many different services as well, such as vocational training and guidance to achieve educational goals.

The program is rigorous, and many of the men who begin treatment do not finish it. “A great level of anxiety and a low level of family support conspire against the men trying to complete this program,” Fernando says. Only 1 in 10 men finish. Since the beginning of HDAC in 2008, only 50 of the 550 men served have completed the treatment.

Despite the low completion rate, HDAC has had a significant impact on those who have participated. Thirteen men have been baptized while in the program, and many more have accepted Christ. Many of these men also have become participating members of the community, helping elderly congregants with maintenance in their homes and serving in the church as janitorial staff.

“Logic dictates that our church would not have the resources to run a ministry like HDAC,” Fernando says. “But the Lord called us and provided for us.”