Our Impact – Solus Christus

P.O. Box 416
East Bend, NC 27018
Call us 336-813-3007

More than 1,600 women and counting have been through Solus Christus. We know that every single one of these women has heard the gospel while here, learning that only In Christ Alone can they overcome addiction and in Him alone find redemption, recovery and peace. We help women who are leaving Solus Christus be placed into a long term Christian rehab to continue their journey of recovery. The impact of our ministry goes far beyond just those women. As lives are transformed, it impacts their families, their children, their friends and their communities. Women come to us from across North Carolina and from across the United States. Below are just a few testimonials from women who have been impacted by Solus Christus.

My life crumbled around me because of a substance abuse addiction that went from functioning to taking full control over me where I could no longer hide it. An 11 year marriage ended, I lost a career that I had worked so hard to succeed in, and lost custody of my children. I found myself in a hospital room alone, broken, and drowning in despair from an alcohol addiction I didn’t know how to pull myself out of. With no where left to go or no one there to call and save me, I prayed to God that if His plan for me was to live, that He would pull me out of the darkness and give me a life worth living and show me where to go. The next day Solus Christus opened their doors to me and God met me there and surrounded me with His love, grace, and presence. I surrendered full control of my life to God while at Solus in July of 2021 leading me from there to Safe Harbor for a 2 year journey of deep healing and discovery of who I am in Christ. Today I am remarried to a Godly man, have my children in my life, and live a life of purpose. I am able to share the love of Jesus to others through volunteer work all because of the blood of Jesus, His love, grace and mercy that covered me and showed me who He says I am. Solus Christus will always have a special place in my heart. They offered me a place to rest in the Lord without the noise of the world amidst the chaos that I created in my addiction.

- Samantha H.

Hey my sisters & brothers in Christ. My name is Lindele I am a grateful, recovering, born again, believer in Jesus, whom I serve Amen. A testimony is just a story until Almighty God puts His super on our natural to set the captives free!! Psalm 55:18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me (for there were many against me). I could go on and on about His mercy, grace and goodness. My desire is that someone would read this and be encouraged to heal! I came to Solus Christus after having a path where I worked the steps and sponsored women for 14 years. Then I relapsed hiding in darkness for another 14 years. If God is light and truth, what was I doing living in darkness? (Short answer, being shady.) Drugs and alcohol are not the problem but the solution to a boatload of character defects. I arrived at SOLUS CHRISTUS September 14, 1921 three days before my 69th birthday. My mind said I was too old to begin again, but the power of the Lord said not so there at Solus. I’m not only surrendered, but I submitted to God‘s will. I learned the meaning of being in Christ alone that I was still chosen and more than a conqueror hallelujah hallelujah. Hallelujah Mark 1:15. The time has been fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe the gospel, and I am now back in California restored and living in abundance of life as his vessel with manifested unspeakable Joy to God, surrounded by my family and a new one year old grandson I celebrated 3 years on August 20th, glory to God !!! He is not a respecter of persons and you too can have this life - seize the moment, Jesus is calling …. thank you for letting me share.

- Lindele J.

When I arrived at Solus Christus I was beyond broken. I had been up for only God knows how many days, I was strung out on Meth, Heroin, and fent. My family had cut me off, I had been arrested around 8 months prior and spent a month in jail, my kids had been taken and were in foster care due to my arrest. I had been homeless living in a tent in the woods for several months with my also addicted boyfriend. We robbed houses, stores, anything or anyone to get the next fix and/or to survive... I had come to the conclusion that I would die in my mess, I'd lost all hope of getting my kids back or having a life worth living. BUT GOD. Little did I know he was about to turn my mess into a message with the help of Solus Christus. On November 15, 2022 I arrived at Solus. I was greeted by smiling faces, it had been raining for a week straight and everything I owned was soaking wet. As they went through my things I remember saying just throw it away, for weeks I was so sick, I wore my hoody, kept my head down and participated as little as I possible. Through my negative energy I was met with kindness and compassion. I hated waking up and making my bed, getting dressed, preparing my breakfast, and sharing meals... these normal tasks were foreign to me. I could hardly formulate a sentence on paper. How would I ever remember the Bible verses.... as time passed and the fog began to clear.... i heard a verse. With God in her she will not fail... I knew God was in me... and began to belive I might have a chance. I began participating more, really studying God's word, and memorizing the scriptures and songs. I was alive again. I was surrounded by family. My Solus Sisters... we shared our stories and dreams. Our struggles and triumphs. Solus helped me to put goals into place. They helped me with my case plan for my girls... they believed in me! My time at Solus saved my life! I called it a vacation with God. That's just what it was... now almost 2 years later... I still have my Solus family praying and cheering for me! Today I can look in the mirror and love the God fearing women looking back at me. I have my two beautiful girls back, I get to tuck them in at night and wake them up in the morning, for the first time in their life I am truly present, mind heart and soul. I still carry on parts of the schedule I learned at Solus such as reading a chapter of proverbs out loud with my girls over breakfast, making my bed, taking an hour each day to study and write about a chapter of the Bible, every night before bed I write down my prayers requests and what I'm greatful for then say them out loud. All these things seems so simple but are imperative to recovery. I'm so greatful for Solus Christus; I truly believe had I not walked through their doors... I'd not be alive to share my experience, strength, and hope today. I love all my SWAT (sisters with a testimony) and all who loved on me and taught me during my time there.

- Jolene M.

My name is Jennifer. I am 44 years old and from Hiddenite, NC. I grew up in church and was baptized at a young age. As time passed, I drifted away from church and at age 18 I started doing drugs and heavily drinking. This continued for over 20 years and I was basically in “self-destruct” mode, also in and out of jail for 15 of those years. But that was my old life and I am happy to share that I am redeemed!

On August 6, 2023 I rededicated my life to live strictly for the Lord. God has delivered me from myself, all the chaos and all the darkness. The BIG God that I serve rescued me from the pit of hell and brought me to his palace! God showers his blessings over me every day. His love, grace, and mercy endures forever! Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. This is my new life. My old one is gone and I am a NEW creature. Glory be to God!

- Jennifer H.

Solus Christus really means a lot to me in a very special way. One thing that stood out to me that still helps me today is that Solus Christus introduced me to having a relationship with the Lord and knowing that he loves me because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

- Crystal W.

I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. I struggled with multiple things like pride, drug addiction, fear, anxiety and much more. This is my story, I was born two months early and weighed 3 lbs. Needing NICU care, I remained in the hospital for months. During that time, my momma, who feared I would die, was not able to visit. But God, I survived! So straight out of the gate God had a plan for my life. I did not know who my daddy was until I was 10 years old. There are many blank spots in my childhood memories. However, I do remember from adults in my life the drinking, the anger, the sexual abuse, the loneliness and the addictions. My momma’s life spiraled into deeper addiction after darkness was uncovered. With the new level of addiction, my sister and I went to live with my grandma. Grandma’s house was my safe place, my happy place. We would play rummy, drink Pepsi, and watch TV. Grandma would talk about the Bible even though we only attended church on occasion. I knew God and the devil were real and also knew deep down that heaven and hell existed. But that was the extent of my knowledge.As I grew older, I became my own god. I was in control of my own life. Everything around me was out of control so the one thing I could control was me. My teenage years were full of sin but that was normal for me. I began experimenting with drugs and alcohol at an early age. It was what I knew. At the age of 18, I got pregnant and got married. We had 4 beautiful children and remained married for 10 years. But like all marriages, we had our problems which ended in divorce. We had joint custody so on my free weekends I began hanging out with friends. I couldn’t find happiness. I had an emptiness that nothing could fill. I began to look in all the wrong places - bars, drugs, men. Years flew by and I lost everything - my job, my kids, my home, my vehicles. Mostly I lost myself. But God! In the midst of all this darkness, I was invited to a Bible study and a woman spoke hope into my life. She told me I was going to be okay and prayed for me. God was pursuing me but I kept running away. I continued the destructive path of abusive relationships, drugs and jail. I was homeless and hopeless. I was only existing. In August 2018, my daughter found me and told me that I didn’t have to live like this anymore. I refused her help at that time. I was still on the throne. By November of that year, I was done. I called my daughter and she answered! She picked me up and while I slept she looked for places for me to go. We applied to Solus Christus but there was a two week wait for an open bed. My daughter dropped to her knees and pleaded with God because we both knew I would not make it two weeks. The next morning Solus Christus called and asked if I could be there in 2 hours. We hopped in the car and did not stop until we drove in the driveway of the farmhouse. I entered Solus Christus scared, exhausted, broken and beat up. God used Solus Christus to change my life. He showed himself to me through testimonies, His Word, Bible teachers, sermons, and the faithfulness of staff and volunteers while completing a one-year discipleship program. God removed my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh. I learned that the emptiness I couldn’t fill was a place that God had to fill. I have now been clean for 6 years, have been employed at Solus Christus for 4 years and am now the Program Manager at Solus Christus. I was also reconciled with my biological father before he passed, and have a wonderful relationship with my kids and grandbabies. Amazing love! I am excited for the opportunity to shine light and be salt in this world. I am eager to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all who have ears to hear.

- Chrissy C.

My addiction began in 2015 after my now ex-husband went to prison. He had abused me mentally, physically, and emotionally. Before him, I was in a relationship with someone who struggled with alcohol addiction. By this point I was in my early 20s and a mom of two. I did not have the proper coping skills to deal with the difficult consequences of the choices I made and turned to drugs and alcohol. By 2019, my IV meth and heroin addiction was in full swing. I had lost custody of my two children, was in and out of jail, and had been admitted to the hospital on multiple occasions for drug-induced psychosis. On December 4, 2019 I was released from jail and a friend told me about Solus. Part of me wanted to get better, but I still fought with the idea that I needed to get just one more time out of my system.

Everything that I needed to experience to be fully done with my addiction happened during that week. On December 11, 2019, I was admitted to the hospital and I was finally done with this lifestyle. Before being released from the hospital, I called Solus and was accepted to the program upon discharge on December 16, 2019. I still remember my friend driving me to Solus, and I was a bit reluctant because I am not an outdoorsy, farm and animal type of person. She kept repeating “There’s something about the Solus dust,” and little did I know how right she was. Within a couple days of coming to Solus I was able to remember what it felt like to be loved. Not because of anything I could give in return, but just because the people at Solus genuinely loved me. I was welcomed to the farmhouse with open arms, and every need I had was met. I came running back to Jesus and He rescued me.

I was at Solus for about one month and was accepted to life challenge of Western North Carolina, where I completed a 12 month residential program. I remember Mrs. Paula telling me, “You seem like a Life Challenge girl,” and she was right! She had a unique gift of knowing which program was right for each woman she encountered.

In December of this year, I will celebrate five years in recovery. I had my 3rd child on 2/22/22 and got custody back of my two older children in 2023, just in time for Mother’s Day. God has brought me through so many things and allowed me to accomplish more than I could’ve ever imagined. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for the rest of my journey!

- Jennifer Y.

On October 1st, 2021, I remember being dropped off at Solus, not really knowing what was ahead or how much it would change my life. Jesus became so real to me, and while it felt like a shock at first, it ended up being the biggest blessing in learning how to live sober. I met some amazing women who had such a big impact on me, and together, we learned how to live for God instead of following the ways of the world. Even though our stories were different, we all shared the same purpose. I didn’t realize it then, but that time was such a blessing for my journey, and I’ll always be grateful for the way it shaped me into who I am today. Solus Christus made a lasting impact on my life. Thank you, Jesus!

- Sarah E.

Solus Christus was the beginning of my journey with the Lord. I have known Jesus all my life, however i was reintroduced to Him at Solus and was able to begin building my foundation there. The leaders at Solus Christus showed me what the love of God felt like and the entire staff displayed His nature so beautifully to me. I walked in the doors at Solus on November 14, 2022 broken, angry, hopeless, and severely wounded. I walked out of the doors at Solus with a new love for Jesus, a hope for the future, and an amazing foundation to begin my walk with the Lord. Almost 2 years later I am still walking closely with the Lord and sober. I have met women in many different area codes who are my sister in Christ and my “solus sisters” I am so grateful for the many wondrous ways the Lord works through Solus Christus!

- Elizabeth M.

I grew up in a middle class family. Mom and Dad were married, we had everything we could have wanted, there were no drugs or alcohol in the home, and we attended church regularly. I realized I was a sinner and accepted Jesus as my savior when I was 13. I struggled with anxiety and depression from my early teenage years. At the age of 20, going through my 1st divorce, my doctor prescribed me benzos for my anxiety attacks. At the time, both of us were ignorant of the possible addiction and tolerance to this medication. I took it as prescribed for years, still not knowing how powerful it was. Not long after having gastric bypass surgery I had to take a higher dosage because of malabsorption. It wasn’t long until I realized 2 of them made me feel way better than just one. I began abusing my prescription and it wasn’t long before it got out of hand. I tried to commit suicide in 2011 by taking a handful of pills. After this time I stayed pretty depressed and just tried to numb things as much as possible. In 2017 I ended up in the ER having life threatening withdrawals. The doctor found out and my prescriptions were taken away. That is when I turned to alcohol. I never liked the taste, I just wanted the effect (which was forgetting and numbing everything.) Within months I ended up with a DUI and in detox numerous times. I came to Solus the first time in June of 2019 and did a year long discipleship program there. By the time I finished the program I really didn’t want to leave. It was truly a place of refuge, and you could always feel the peace of God there. It totally changed my relationship with God, and my parents. After going home I was able to have a wonderful relationship with my dad that I had never had before. I’m forever grateful for that, because he suffered a stroke in April of 2021 and passed away in September of 2021. At that time I relapsed and went off the rails again with alcohol and any pills I could get my hands on. God got my attention by sitting me down in a jail cell on January 12, 2023. The first verse He reminded me of was I Corinthians 6:19 which says: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” He said that one very loud and stern to me. And then He gently reminded me of Matthew 11:28 which states: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, I called Solus Christus. I knew if I could get back there I would be ok. I was met with open arms and given love, food, shelter, and clothes. I stayed there a couple weeks before getting into Never2Scarred in Spruce Pine. I graduated from that program in August of 2023. Soon after, I began an internship at Freedom Life Ministries. It is a non-profit, faith based, re-entry organization. After my internship, I was hired on as a full time employee. I am now the client care administrator for Freedom Life-Avery county. I get to share hope and the love of Jesus with clients who are incarcerated or were involved in the justice system in the last year. I get to be part of their journey to a new life! God has done exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ever ask or think!

I got my driver’s license back, have my own car, and I moved into my own place in May of 2024. I’ve been clean and sober for 20 months now. I could go on and on about what the Lord has done and the miracles He has worked in my life since January of 2023. He is so so good to me!

- Amanda J.

Growing up, drugs nor alcohol was never around! I had a normal childhood, everything a kid could want, I had. I never knew what drugs were because they were never around. Occasionally I found myself drinking at random high school parties but nothing serious. So I graduated high school in 2004 and went to college right away. Into my 2nd semester, I got a phone call that I never thought I’d receive, my boyfriend/best friend had been in an accident and died the night before after he dropped me off at home. From that moment on it was as if I died too! I started drinking really heavily and got introduced to pain pills and drugs. Whenever I would get drunk or do drugs I didn’t feel the pain and that was all that mattered. I never thought of the shame or pain I was causing my family, I figured since they didn’t support my habits that I wasn’t bothering by them but I was wrong! Along the way I tried quitting a few times but I didn’t like the fact that all my heartache would come right back to me and so I failed over and over again! Over 15 years go by and I’m still doing the same thing, hanging with the same people, living the same lifestyle! It wasn’t until God sat me down in a jail cell and opened my mind and heart. I thought to myself and prayed to God, and I said God I want out, I want to be the person you created me to be. I want to be the women my parents raised me to be, I want to be me again. And God showed up and he showed me the way. I’ve never been able to get sober on my own and I’ve never given God a chance to help me, so why not? Here I am 16 months sober and I finally feel like myself again! My life and my family has been restored! Joel 2:25 God said, “ I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten”, and indeed he has! I believe that God let’s us hit rock bottom so we can discover that he is the rock at the bottom. So I give God all the praise and glory, for he had turned my mess into a message.

- Brandy C.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Since the first time I met everyone at Solus Christus until this present moment, and I'm sure many to come The Lord has showered me with his grace! 4 years ago i didn't know God and if i'm being honest was starting to think there wasn't one. Come to find out it was just that I didn't understand how things worked when you have a relationship with him. I wouldn't know that had I not gone down a hard path. One that most of us don't make it back from. when i finally put myself aside and let The Lord work on me the things he blessed me with could never have a price on them! I was homeless, strung out on meth with nowhere to go and no real friends or family left. Now almost three amazing years later I have that and more. I'm not going to say that things don't get hard from time to time but knowing that God is with me in all things that I do makes me stronger than I could have ever imagined myself to be. May all the glory be to God

- Kendel R.

SOLUS CHRISTUS means the world to me. It was at Solus Christus where my heart and mind was forever changed. Solus Christus is where I choose to pick up my cross and follow Jesus. Solus Christus is where I choose to live and not die! Before coming to Solus Christus I was in a fight for my life. Literally, I was unsure of if I wanted to live or die. After making the decision to live, I reached out to Solus Christ and was told that I had a place there if I wanted it. That day I was welcomed with open arms. That same night I hit my knees cried out and was met by peace, understanding, comfort, and even joy. That night I had my very own spiritual awakening and knew that I would be alright. I will forever be thankful for Solus Christus as it was there on holy ground that my life changed forever!!! Psalm 34:8 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"

- Sharday B.

I am honored to share how God took a broken-hearted little girl and changed her into the God fearing, joyful, loving, caring mother that I am today. Before recovery, I would allow people to walk over me and I had no boundaries. I would isolate and not care about what would happen to me. The desire to numb my mind began at the age of 13, as I experienced sexual abuse. This led to experimentation with substances like alcohol and marijuana. At the age of 21, I started using methamphetamines and found myself in an abusive relationship. At 23 years old, my son Colton was born and I tried desperately to get the help that I needed. I went to a variety of programs within a six-month time frame but did not walk away with the tools that I needed to sustain my recovery. I moved back home for 5 months and was sober throughout that time. The tragic passing of my son’s father led to a deep depression. I started using hard drugs in an effort to numb my pain and I began to experience feelings of not wanting to be alive. I thought of my son Colton and my mother, but was also blinded in many ways by my addiction. IV drug use was next for me and I was very closer to the point of no return. I ended up getting arrested. I realize now that God truly saved my life from a battle that I may not have come back from or may not have had a chance at life again. I went to jail for 4 months and in that time became closer to God. I was so tired of hurting the people that I loved. I wanted to get clean but I didn’t know how. A Peer Support Specialist that was working in the jail told me about Solus Christus, a safe house for women that are desiring recovery. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and I wanted to find a long-term program. Crysta, the Peer Support Specialist working with me, helped me get to Solus Christus on September 18th, 2023 and that led me to apply for the Whole Woman program at Safe Harbor. My “I don’t care about anyone but me” attitude is gone now. I love helping people and I would love to do for someone else what Crystal did for me. My walk with God throughout this process has given me joy, peace and the ability to love others as God has loved me. God has provided many opportunities for me since being at Safe Harbor. I have received dental work that I could have never afforded prior. My physical and mental health needs are being met. My classes are helping me keep God first, learn how to comfort without offending, enjoying life, and I am now able to volunteer my time and help others. I am now able to create boundaries and maintain healthy relationships. I will tell any newcomers to please give Safe Harbor a chance and not leave before the miracle happens. I now have the tools needed to maintain my recovery and continue to build healthy relationships with my son and mother. The “heart work” makes recovery possible because freedom, love, and joy that you experience is so worth it. I hope and pray that my testimony would bring someone to Christ and encourage more people to volunteer and give to the place that has helped change my life. My three year old little boy has his momma back.

- Siera M.

P.O. Box 416
East Bend, NC 27018
Call us 336-813-3007