Join us in celebrating Gary Self, an active volunteer at Miracle Hill Overcomers Center.
The Overcomers Center is a 7-month addiction recovery program for men. We have 80 beds for men in the Upstate who are ready to be challenged toward a disciplined lifestyle and freedom in Christ. They work with counselors at our center, attend Chapel led by various members of the faith community here in Greenville, as well as attend classes led by Miracle Hill staff and teachers. Gary is one of those teachers who remains a consistent part of the men's lives as they overcome addiction and begin a new life.
My name is Gary Self, and I began volunteering at Miracle Hill’s Overcomers Center in the Spring of 2016 at the invitation of a friend and Overcomer Counselor, Komron Saadati. My wife, Teresa, and I have led children’s ministry for most of our adult lives including ten years at the now closed Boys Home of the South in Belton, SC where we served as part of the weekly chapel team. After it closed in 2011, we took a break while our two kids played travel sports. As our kids grew older, I felt the Lord once again urging me to begin serving and that is when he led me to Miracle Hill’s Overcomers Center.
What began as an occasional substitute teaching role evolved into several hours each week leading chapels, teaching, mentoring, and just spending time with the guys. I believe what we all need most is a friend to provide hope and encouragement that I believe centrally comes through a relationship with Jesus. When Jesus redeems us, our past no longer defines us because there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. From that point comes tremendous change through the Holy Spirit, and the greatest glory and honor we can give to the Lord comes from that internal transformation. We become overcomers so that we can serve God and serve others. It’s amazing what God can accomplish through each of us if we just submit to him in trust and obedience.
"When Jesus redeems us, our past no longer defines us because there is no condemnation in Christ"
Shortly after I began serving at Miracle Hill, I realized that I needed more training. With the urging of the Holy Spirit, the support of my family, my church, Fellowship Greenville, and friends at Miracle Hill, I enrolled at Gordon Conwell Seminary. I will complete my course work in August and graduate with a master’s degree in Christian Ministries this coming January at the age of 56. The men and staff at Overcomers have encouraged me throughout this journey and I can’t wait to see what comes next. But regardless, I plan to continue to serve through Miracle Hill for many years to come.
Other than watching my own family grow in Christ, my greatest Joy comes from watching Overcomers’ graduates return and begin volunteering and mentoring others. Many even go on to work with Miracle Hill or other ministries. Watching men move from brokenness to living out the Gospel and then sharing it with others is what really inspires me. I am also inspired by the love and dedication of all the men and women who selfishly and tirelessly serve our community working and volunteering through Miracle Hill.
Want to know more?
Our webpage, https://miraclehill.org/shelters/overcomers-center-for-men/, has information on how to apply to go through the program, a link to the volunteer website, a link to the mentor page as well as general information about the shelter!
