“I firmly believe there is no such thing as coincidences. And I firmly believe that the only way I have been successful in my recovery is that I am a by-product of the people that God has placed in my life,” David Johnson reflects on what he tells others about M28 Ministry’s influence on his life. “ If I can stress anything to others, there is no coincidence that you are having these conversations with these people about these topics.”
David was born in the Philippines to Christian missionary parents and moved to York, Pennsylvania, when he was just two years old. He recalls a typical childhood filled with sports and activities. However, during his teenage years, David’s curiosity about drugs and alcohol began to grow. This curiosity stemmed from a sense of not fitting in, except when he was experimenting with substances like his friends. It was during these moments that he felt included and like he belonged.
By the age of 15, David had become a polysubstance user, quickly progressing to opioids and heroin. By the time he should have been a high school senior, he had already dropped out and had a criminal record. By 18, he had experienced homelessness, incarceration, and opioid dependence.
LIFE WAS A BLUR DURING THE ADDICTION
When David was 18, he knew the choices he was making violated his probation, so he jumped on a Greyhound bus headed to California. His years in California were a blur, marked by stints in treatment centers and jail while living on the streets of L.A. and abusing substances. Many of his memories from this time are blacked out due to traumatic experiences. David’s family had little contact with him, except for occasional phone calls from whichever rehab center he was checked into.
David’s father, being a missionary, had contacts worldwide. Towards the end of David’s time in L.A., a friend of his father’s reached out to take him to lunch and discuss rehab. David, who was panhandling to survive, saw it as an opportunity for a meal and accepted the invitation. During the meeting, David’s poor health was evident, and he was taken to a doctor, where he was diagnosed with bronchitis. A plane ticket back to Pennsylvania was arranged for David, and he took this opportunity to return home and enter rehab.
David swore off opioids and heroin but believed he could maintain sobriety while drinking alcohol. The next several years were rough due to his alcohol use, filled with more arrests, DUIs, and a case where he faced prison time in a state prison. Determined to get clean again, David surrounded himself with positive influences and committed to sobriety. He was able to complete his undergraduate studies, majoring in History and Religious Studies.
“In my life, there are all these instances of homelessness or the threat of prison. What got me sober was the look on the faces of the people who depended on me that I kept letting down. I was so sick of letting people down. I let people down through the substances that consumed my life. I was not able to focus on anything other than myself when I used substances.”
M28 ENTERS DAVID’S LIFE
“M28 [Ministry] came into my life at 18 or 19 when they planted a seed. M28 taught me brutal honesty. I would meet with Pastor Jim, and he would help me develop life skills and resume building.”
David recalls meeting Pastor Jim through Daystar during one of his attempts to get sober. This initial encounter marked the beginning of a significant and enduring relationship. Pastor Jim became a steadfast presence in David’s life, providing guidance and support throughout the tumultuous years of his struggle with drug use and his journey toward sobriety. Despite the ups and downs, David maintained regular contact with Pastor Jim, who offered unwavering encouragement and a sense of stability. This relationship played a crucial role in David’s ongoing efforts to overcome his addiction and rebuild his life.
THE FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Fast-forward to February 2022, when David secured a job at Arkview Recovery Center in Mechanicsburg. At the time, he was living in York, PA, and commuting to Mechanicsburg for work. Eager to return to church with M28, David set a goal to move closer to his workplace. Recently, he achieved this goal and relocated to Mechanicsburg, allowing him to engage with M28 from a fresh perspective.
“It’s been an absolute joy to see the person David has become,” said Jimmy Schambach, Executive Director, M28 Ministry. “His life has completely changed, and he is committed to helping others find better lives for themselves. I am so proud of the work he’s put in and so honored to call him my friend.”
With his clinical and rehabilitation experience, David has become a valuable resource. Having been mentored by Pastor Jim and Jimmy, he now finds himself in a position to offer clinical advice and support to others. David’s journey has come full circle, as he now stands alongside his mentors, contributing his expertise and helping others on their path to recovery.
“Once I put the opioids down, the struggles of homelessness and parole violations went away because I was not using Heroin anymore.”
