Andrew McDonald

Servant, saved by His grace. Seasoned trial attorney blessed to come to the end of myself in addiction. Called into ministry to serve others and share His truth. “To be discipled and make disciples,” as His witness. Learning to love as He does.  Gifted to teach the 12 steps, the Bible, Regeneration, Timothy Initiative Curriculum, and Reboot Trauma Recovery. Certified in Biblical Studies, Individual/Group Crisis Intervention & ASAP/EMDR Protocol. Served to begin Recovery/Discipleship Programs in the Dream Center of Southeast Texas and the Raleigh Dream Center. Grateful for the privilege of prayer and seek to be obedient in the Word. 

Chief Executive Officer

Steven Miller

My name is Steven Miller, I am a recovering heroin, methamphetamine, crack/cocaine addict of over 16 years. By the grace of God, today I have 5 years of sobriety, through which God has greatly turned my life around. He has reunited my family, given me a heart for reaching out to addicts and the desire to "meet them wherever they are at". I want to help guide those struggling with substance abuse to a better way of life. I am a living testimony of God's goodness and what can happen when you are set free from the chains of addiction. After several lengthy sentences in jails and treatment centers, I had found myself facing a minimum of five years in prison, had no home, no job, no car or license, no custody of my children and a failed marriage. I finally sought a long-term treatment program to try and get my life straightened out. Upon entering the program, I was still getting in my own way, bucking the system at every turn. Until the day I surrendered, on my knees in the corner of the basement at the local rescue mission/recovery center and asked God to help me to make a change in my life and set me free from the bondage that had tormented my soul for many years. After a year in treatment and months at a sober living house, I was blessed to have my life and my family back. I completed Peer Recovery Support Specialist training and went to work at an outpatient facility assisting those suffering the same conditions I had been. I then moved on to a nonprofit organization working with homeless veterans to obtain medical services, substance abuse treatment and permanent housing. I felt that God was leading my family in a different direction, and I started a trucking company that had provided us an opportunity to not only care for my family, but also to give back to the community. My goal is to share my personal journey to help those suffering from substance abuse disorder just as I did.

President

Melissa Miller

​My name is Melissa Miller, I am a Registered Nurse that currently practices as a Forensic Nurse Examiner at Carilion Clinic Roanoke Memorial Hospital. We care for patients that have experienced child physical or sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, strangulation, adult sexual assault, or elder abuse. I carry certifications as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for Adults and Pediatrics through the International Association of Forensic Nurses. I am currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, will graduate in February, and go directly into a Master of Science in Nursing Administration through Radford University Carilion. I have experience in case management, Neurotrauma, and pre-/post-surgical care, but my heart is in the treatment of addiction. My husband of 22 years is a recovering addict with 5 years of sobriety. My family suffered the consequences of his addiction for years, but by the grace of God we made it through to the beauty of life in recovery. I worked for several years as a Registered Nurse Case Manager at a women's inpatient treatment facility, where I not only managed their medical needs and health education, but also offered encouragement, experience, and perspective to aid in their treatment plan for long term recovery. It is my personal mission to give testimony to the miracle that God performed in the lives of myself, my husband, and our children, and to provide support to the struggling addict as they begin their journey of recovery.

Treasurer, Compliance Officer

Lisa Hastings

Hi. I'm Lisa Hastings. I was led to the Center and bring with me a variety of administration and event planning experience but most of all I come with a heart for Jesus and his people. A native of Connecticut, I have worked with many organizations such as Samaritan's Purse, Salvation Army, Mercy Ships and has also served on the Board of Education for Groton Public Schools. I enjoy spending time with my kids, cooking, traveling and witnessing the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior. 

Operations Manager

Trey Dowdey

Trey Dowdey earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, followed by his Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. After serving four years on active duty as an Army JAG attorney, he went into private practice doing civil litigation where he is a partner at the law firm of Swift Currie. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the US Army War College, and is a Colonel in the US Army Reserve, with over 26 years of service. He has been married to his wife April for 26 years, and they have four children. He is also a member of Shades Crest Baptist Church, where he also serves as a Deacon. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and Biblical apologetics.

Director

Justin Thigpen

I am a father of 3 boys, live in Rolesville, NC, and run a State Farm agency here. I grew up going to church but pushed back a lot against what I was “told” to believe. I drank and drugged my way through high school and college. At some point in my late twenties, God started pulling me in. I moved back to NC in 2014 and studied the bible for years, but that great chasm between the head and the heart took a while to cross. It took marital infidelity and alcohol abuse to get me to bridge the chasm and surrender to Jesus. I spent about 12 months in AA and have learned a lot abut the recovery needs and the addiction epidemic in our country. I met Andrew McDonald through work with the Raleigh Dream Center, delivering food to low-income families during covid, and have maintained a friendship since then, as well as served on the board for his ministry.

Director