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
During the time that Joey was away, I stumbled upon a tape series of a Biblical based stress management seminar. My sister had sent me the tapes years earlier, and I remembered how good I thought they were at the time. I figured now was as good a time as any to revisit them. The premise of the series is that "The people in life, the places in life and the circumstances in life do not make me the way that I am, but reveal the way that I am". This is not the last time that God would have to show me that I had no control over Joey's actions. I could only control the way in which I responded to them. I could choose to let God take control of my life and in so doing respond in the way that He would have me to respond - with the fruits of the spirit. Or, I could continue to try to handle things on my own and in so doing become eaten up with bitterness, anger, and other destructive emotions. Let me tell you that this all sounded good, but I did not succeed at this approach right away. Even though God had shown me the peace that He could provide, even though He had guided my path and placed angels in my life over the initial days that Joey was gone - with every day that I didn't know where he was, I became more and more angry - more and more frustrated. I prayed "Lord, you know I can handle anything you send my way as long as I know what I'm dealing with." What I learned was that God was trying to tell me that I didn't have to know what I was dealing with in order for Him to take control and in order for Him to give me the peace and comfort that I was craving. I began to claim 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. I began to say "Lord, you promised you would comfort me in all trouble. I'm in trouble here Lord and I need your comfort." The Sunday after Joey left, my mother and I went to church. The subject of the sermon was on the Beatitudes. I don't even remember a lot about the sermon, but the preacher had put the list of Beatitudes from The Message on the screen. I didn't even realize at first that it was the Beatitudes, but I felt like though words were placed there just for me.
YOU'RE BLESSED
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud ownders of everything that can't be bought.
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetitie for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "care-full", you find yourselves cared for.
You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart- put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out to speak les about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
I began then to pray that I would continue to love Joey. I prayed that God would protect him wherever he was. At that point, I didn't pray that God would bring him home.