Meth Took All, Jesus Gave Back

Chad Connor poses with a sign that gives his favorite life message and his two children, Charlotte (left) and Maximus. Connor trims trees for a living, but his avocation is Redeemed Food Ministry which offers food, fans in the summertime, heaters in the w

Meth cost him everything.

Jesus gave it all back.

Those nine words sum up Chad Conner's testimony. At 19, he lost it all to meth for 19 years. In 2014, he took 20-steps from his seat in the Souls Harbor Tabernacle in Mooresville and never thought about drugs again.

"Please don't call me a recovering addict," he said. "That makes it sound like I've got something left to do. Jesus has already done it all." He compares his 20-step journey to the 12-step programs that seek to help people "recovering" from drugs, alcohol and other addictions. He said his 20 steps took the whole load.

But unlike many who believe a profession is faith is all there is to it, Connor has been energized for ministry. He wants other people to have what he's got.

His Redeemed Food Ministry delivers food, "to people who don't have cars and can't make it to food banks." But he added, "We also deliver fans in the summertime, heaters in the winter; and Bibles anytime."

Just as the coronavirus was hitting in February, he and his wife, Amanda stood on the corner of Main and Church streets in Forest City giving away Bibles.

"Most of what we do is just to get our foot in the door to share Jesus," he said. As a Meth addict, he was convicted of four felonies and spent time in prison. "Meth cost me my house, my car, my job, everything. Jesus has given it all back. I've got a house, a job (he trims trees,) a car," and he and Amanda were married in March.

How does he know he's doing the right thing?

"This happened just a few days ago," he said. "We went to this run-down trailer. The door was propped open because of the heat. When we walked up with a fan, she didn't reach for the fan. She reached up to heaven and started praising God. There's nothing like that."

If Chad can help you, he's open to your calling him at 828-305-4475.

And where does he get the funds to do what he does?

"I told God if he would supply, I would deliver. People sometimes just walk up to me in Walmart and say, 'God told me to give you this.'" Conner said.

He also gets support from the church he attends, Pleasant View Community Church just off Doggett Road.

Many of the Bibles he gives away are in large print.

"If people can't read them, they aren't going to do anybody any good," he said.

The Bible giveaway in February cost him roughly $1,000. So far God has supplied and Connor has delivered.

His six-year-long journey with Jesus and miracles shows no signs of letting up. He is so grateful for those 20 steps he took to that altar in Mooresboro.

He sums it all up with, "One prayer changed everything."