JOHNNY VERNON IV
I am 41 years old. I was born December 7, 1975 in West Dallas, TX. I grew up in the projects on Rupert Circle, which is one of the roughest areas in Dallas. This street held gangs, drugs, shootings, fights, murders, and everything in between.
I’ve been married 13 years to a supportive, loving wife named Ramona Vernon. She is a Woman of Nehemiah. I had 2 kids coming into the marriage. Chermise Monea Vernon is 22 and Johnny Vernon V is 19. My wife, Ramona had one daughter names Tanisha Odongo, who is 32. Tanisha has given us our 3 grandchildren.
Before Nehemiah, I had been addicted to drugs for 16 years. My criminal record started at the age of 14. It was always drug related. 3 months prior to Nehemiah, I relapsed on powder cocaine. My life was spiraling out of control. I went back to selling drugs, staying out late, not coming home, cheating on my wife, drinking, being disrespectful and rebellious. I was on probation during this time. It was at this time that I hit my bottom. I realized that wasn’t for me. I wanted it to stop. So, that night, I got down on my knees outside and asked God to change my life. I called my mom shortly after. The next day she brought me to The Men of Nehemiah. My mentor from a previous rehab, Johnny Moore suggested it.
I entered MON on June 12, 2014. Being at Nehemiah, I have rededicated my life to God. God has firstly restored my marriage and my relationship with my children. I’ve been able to obtain housing assistance. God has even provided tutoring for my barber license. I have been released from a 5-year probation sentence, and had my probation fees of $3,033.50 removed. Nehemiah has instilled discipline, leadership, and self-esteem. Because of this I have confidence to lead my family in a spiritual relationship with God. Most importantly, I am a man of God. I have developed a praise lifestyle. I do devotionals. I walk with gratitude, humility, integrity, loyalty, honor, courage, and selfless sacrifice, loving and putting others before myself. 11 months of dedicated service to The Men of Nehemiah.
MATTHEW COURET
I was considered a troubled young man, diagnosed as mentally incapable of living on my own. I’ve been in eight rehab facilities, two sober houses, and I attempted suicide several times. I’ve been a loner the majority of my life, never staying in one place long. I have two parents who never gave up on me, three beautiful children, and other people who I am truly grateful for today. God is great! It has not been easy giving my life to Him. I literally had to fight for my focus every single day. I had to get real and decide if I wanted to live or die. Commitment, discipline, structure, and sacrifice were things I always ran from until one day I became exhausted from all the running. I’m not running from my Father anymore. I’ve stayed still and listened for the past nine months and I’ve learned truth. I was designed to depend on the Creator. I have been given promises for growth and maturity. I have a soul! I have access to His Spirit! There is victory in my praise! I can change! He did not bring me this far; grow me this much in such little time to let me go now. He is what I’ve been looking for all along. I thought it was drugs, people, and the world I needed, but now I love Him because He loved me first. Thank you Father. I just want to give back now!
JOHN MILLER
I was born and raised in University Park, Texas. I was raised in a Christian home by two loving parents with five younger siblings. Both my mother and father were committed believers. As I grew older, I experienced much hurt and pain, and in high school turned to drugs. This started a “rehab merry-go-round” and in February of last year I stumbled into the Men of Nehemiah, broke, homeless, and broken. My addiction had destroyed everything worthwhile in my life, including the relationships with my family. “BUT GOD.” My experience at Nehemiah has been one of the most trying and painful ordeals I’ve ever experienced, yet I’ve learned more in the last year than I have in my whole life. I’ve laughed and cried here, fought and struggled. I never would have made it without God. Now my relationships with my family are restored, I am employed at ta great company with an opportunity for a true career, and I have other relationships in my life, which are real, solid and deep – relationships that matter. God has done all of this – whenever I try it my way, I fail. I hope God can be glorified through me!
TYRONE CHOICE
Tyrone Choice was born in 1977 in Dallas, Texas and grew up in Pleasant Grove. As a young man he got involved in gangs and selling drugs. As he got older he developed a passion for music. He also began to experiment with drugs. Consequently, music became less inspiring and drugs became his whole life. After years of incarceration and treatment centers he finally reached a crossroad in his life. Something had to change! He cried out to the Lord and the next day he saw the Men of Nehemiah performing service work around his apartment complex. On October 8, 2010 he entered into our ministry ready for that change. With hard work and dedication, Tyrone is gainfully employed at Village Oaks Apartments where he works with the kids as a mentor and spiritual guidance counselor. He knows he is in his purpose, and the sky is the limit for him future.