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REAL PEOPLE. PERSONAL TESTIMONIES.

Stories of
transformation.

Behind every story is a person, a family, and a life with purpose. Meet people from the RSM community sharing what faith, recovery, and a new beginning have meant to them.

Meet Casey ↓

FEATURED STORY · CASEY HUGHES

Coach. Father.
Business owner.

Casey entered RSM on September 20, 2023, looking for a complete change after years of substance use. He spent the next year growing in faith and learning skills for life beyond the program. His story now includes fatherhood, coaching football in his hometown, and opening South Valley Diesel & Auto LLC.

“It was one of the best decisions of my life.”— Casey Hughes, on his year at RSM
Read Casey’s journey below ↓
Casey with his son on the football field
FAITH. FAMILY. PURPOSE.“Please do not give up on them.”Casey Hughes

CASEY’S JOURNEY

Going home with a new purpose.

Casey’s personal testimony of faith, family, and a new beginning.

Choosing a different future

Casey writes that he was in Marion County Jail after four difficult years of substance use. When he went to court, he asked for help that would give him time to change his life. On September 20, 2023, his mother picked him up from jail and drove him to RSM in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

He arrived without a belief in God. A conversation with Pastor Josh that November became a turning point. Casey describes a spiritual awakening and a decision to commit himself to Jesus and the program.

Learning how to build a life

During his year at RSM, Casey completed parenting and recovery programming, inner healing, and job skills training. He learned about budgeting, working, and leading. He also discovered a love of powerlifting that continued after graduation.

As graduation approached, he considered staying with the ministry. Reading the Bible helped him decide to return home and share what God had done in his life. He graduated on September 19, 2024, with a job already secured in the shop at Bobby Fryar Trucking.

Fatherhood, work, and community

In his post, Casey celebrates becoming a better father and welcoming another son in November 2025. The following month, he opened South Valley Diesel & Auto LLC. He credits God with using the business to bless his family.

Back in his hometown, he serves as a head football coach, working alongside people he grew up with and encouraging the next generation. He describes the joy of investing in the same community he came from.

“It’s special to me coming home and being able to pour into the same community I came from.”

A message for families

Casey hopes his story reaches both people facing addiction and the mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and friends who love them.

“Please do not give up on them.”

His testimony closes with gratitude for his faith and the new direction of his life.

Casey’s story and quotes are shared from his personal testimony.

FROM THE RSM COMMUNITY

Different journeys.
Hope worth sharing.

These summaries reflect testimonies previously shared with RSM. They describe each person’s experience at the time of their original story.

Bruno Petrović’s before-and-after photos

PURPOSE & SERVICE

Bruno Petrović

A new chapter. A purpose to share.

“Jesus saved me and gave me another chance at life, and I want to take full advantage.”

Bruno shares how years of addiction and loss gave way to faith, renewed purpose, and rebuilding a relationship with his daughter. In his testimony, he reflects on the joy, peace, and second chance he found in Christ.

Read Bruno’s full testimony →
Taylor Salvilla Smith’s before-and-after photos

HOPE & LEADERSHIP

Taylor Salvilla Smith

New life. A hometown mission.

“I wake up with purpose, meaning, and hope.”

Taylor shares how faith, discipleship, and practical life skills helped her build a new life. Today, she serves as RSM’s Campus Director in Wise, Virginia, offering other women the hope she found in Christ.

Read Taylor’s full testimony →
Titus Swafford, from his RSM testimony

FAITH & EVERYDAY LIFE

Titus Swafford

Learning a new way to live.

“God changed me from the inside out and set me free.”

After years of addiction and repeated attempts at recovery, Titus found structure and biblical teaching at RSM. His testimony reflects on graduation, returning to work, regaining his license, and becoming part of a church community.

Read Titus’s original testimony ↗
Suzanne’s before-and-after photos

FAITH & A FRESH START

Suzanne

It’s never too late to meet God.

“I will spend the rest of my life serving God and others.”

Suzanne came to RSM in November 2024 after a hospitalization for alcohol poisoning. At 60, she found a new beginning in her faith. She shares her gratitude for the people who helped her and her desire to serve God and others.

Read Suzanne’s full testimony →

Personal testimonies share individual experiences; everyone’s journey is different. Explore RSM’s original testimony collection.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE MINISTRY

They lead from experience.

Joshua Scalf

Joshua Scalf

From addiction to purpose.

Read Joshua’s testimony →
Marley Scalf

Marley Scalf

From brokenness to redemption.

Read Marley’s testimony →

WATCH · RECOVERY SOLDIERS MINISTRIES

A Mother’s Testimonial

A parent’s perspective on hope and recovery. Hear this mother’s story in her own words.

Watch on YouTube ↗

THERE IS HOPE FOR YOUR STORY, TOO

One conversation can be a beginning.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, our admissions team is here to listen and explain the next steps.

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