About Us

KC and Joey Grist share their message of hope for hurting families through the use of sound Biblical principles that restored their marriage after addiction, financial ruin and divorce tore it apart. Together, this couple speaks to individuals and couples alike, sharing their story of faith and recovery. Their ministry is teaching others a better way to live a life of hope and of happiness through a day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ. The Grists live in Tupelo, Mississippi where they are raising two sons, JT (5) and Jimmie (3). They are active members of Lee Acres Church.

About Hope Recovery Center

Hope Recovery Center is a vision for a continuum of care for hurting families dealing with the bondages of addiction. This vision includes working specifically with adult men who desire to find a better way to live their lives, and a way to heal the hurts that have damaged their family.This includes a multi-phase plan:Phase I - Speaking and counseling ministry. Joey and KC are available to speak at churches, conferences, retreats and other groups. Funds raised through this ministry will be used to begin the subsequent phases of the ministry.Phase II - Non-residential treatment program for addicts and their families. This phase would include, but not be limited to, Christian 12-step studies; Career assessment; Job training; Resume writing and Interview skills; Biblical stress management; Time management, etc.During this phase, an attempt will be made to partner with existing organizations to provide housing, healthcare, clothing, transportation, meals and job assistance to those who need it.Phase III - Male Residential Treatment Center. Phase III includes all of the above, but instead of out-sourcing, we will provide a long-term residential treatment program. The program will be supported by some type of business or businesses, which will be operated by program participants.Phase IV - The full Continuum of Care.Stabilization - for those who enter the program intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugsSTEP (Structured Transitional Evaluation Period) 2-4 weeksSTAR (Spiritual Training and Recovery) 6-12 monthsTransitional Housing for those re-entering society
It's funny how lack of communication can do so much damage. In June of 2004, I thought things in our lives were better than they had been in a long time. Joey had a job. He was selling cars for a local dealer in Jackson. Our one-year-old son was thriving and loving life in Jackson. We had become pretty active in our church, etc. We were living in a small apartment, but had rented a much larger house and had plans to move in over the weekend of our anniversary. The day of our third anniversary started pretty well I thought. I later learned that Joey didn't see it that way. We exchanged cards and made plans to eat sort of a pic-nic dinner at our new house before moving the next day. Joey's car was in the shop for repairs, so we took JT to daycare and he dropped me off at work. At the end of the day, my niece took me to get my car from him and pick up JT, and we discovered that he hadn't been at work all day. Needless to say, I panicked. When I got home, I found that he had taken most of his clothes and left. A mutual friend called and said that my car was at her house, but she didn't know how it got there. I didn't know how he had left, or with whom, but I knew it was of his own free will. Kidnappers hardly ever let you stop off for clothes and a toothbrush. I was in a fog. My sister offered for us to come and stay at her house for the night, but I just wanted to be in my home with my child.
JT was small enough not to know what was going on, so after feeding and bathing him, he went straight to sleep. I couldn't take it anymore. I literally fell face down on the floor of my bedroom and cried out to God. On the floor that night, I gave Joey to him. I finally surrendered my control and let God have him. When I got up, I went in and kissed my son, then returned to my bed and SLEPT!!!! I SLEPT!!!! If that's not a miracle of peace and comfort, I don't know what is.
The next day presented a whole new set of challenges. My mother was driving down to keep JT and help us with our move. When she arrived, she already knew what had happened and was a pillar of strength as usual. Our first stop was to go and see my current landlord to see if I could just renew my lease and stay in the apartment. Unfortunatley, they had already rented the apartment and I would have to be out by Sunday. Our next stop was to my new landlord. Without Joey's income, there was no way that I could afford the new house. Thankfully, he was a Christian man and upon hearing my story not only let me out of my lease, but refunded both the deposit and first month's rent that I had already paid him. Things seemed to be just falling into place. Next, we went about searching for a new place for JT and me to live. We must have looked at twenty or so apartments, condos and houses. A few were OK, but nothing was really what I was looking for. Finally, I called about a house that was listed in the paper with very few details. When the owner called us back, it sounded too good to be true. We drove by and found that this was a wonderful little bungalow, built in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Jackson, surrounded by million dollar mansions. The rent was affordable and and when I looked into the back yard, there was a tree with a strong limb just perfect for JT's swing that he loved so much. With tears in my eyes, I thanked God and signed the lease on the spot.
We already had a moving truck rented for the next day, but I had no one to help me move. I called a realtor friend, and asked if she knew anyone I could get to come the next day and help me move. She said that her housekeeper's boyfriend was at her house, and she would ask him. He was available, and said he would try to find a friend to come and help him. The next morning, he showed up, but was unable to find any help. I didn't know how we were going to manage this move, but this very large man that I had never met, just put his arm around me and said "We're going to do this together, one piece at a time. When you get tired, we'll stop. I can't explain it, other than to say that God had brought me this far by giving me emotional strength. At this point, he gave me physical strength. That one kind angel and I moved every piece of my furniture from my two-story apartment into my new house. When I look back on it now, it really does seem unbelievable. The sad thing is that I don't even recall the man's name that helped me. I just know that he was truly an angel sent from God and together we had the strength of several strong men.
These three days changed my life forever. God was in control and I knew it. At every turn, he provided just what I needed. It was a wonderful feeling to know that I didn't have to worry, and eventually I did stop worrying. I had a calm and a peace in the midst of one of the greatest storms I had ever encountered. I praise Him to this day for the mighty work He did in my life that weekend.