On Aug. 28, Brett M., a senior healing strategist at Hope Is Alive (HIA) Ministries, celebrated a new milestone by becoming a first-time homeowner. Brett’s also newly engaged to be married and recently changed jobs at HIA Ministries.

When he applied for Habitat’s New Home Construction program, Brett prayed he’d be accepted to buy a new house. He stated that he’d been disappointed before because of his troubled past with alcohol.

“It’s not easy to qualify for a home,” Brett stated in his application. “I’ve worked hard to rebuild my credit and save money. Getting approved through Habitat would be a blessing—and I’m willing to volunteer for the rest of my life.”

A graduate of HIA Ministries’ sobriety program, Brett’s been clean and sober for six years.

“If you’d told me 10 years ago that I would be sitting here buying a house, I would have told you that you were crazy,” Brett said. “What God has done in my life, and what Habitat has allowed me to do by giving people like me a chance, is phenomenal.”