Dustin Stradley, the pastor of Elevation Church, Roanoke Campus, let it all out earlier this month after opening up about his personal struggles. Stradley, who suffered from an alcohol addiction, says that every day he would wake up and start drinking. He stated that often times he would black out and even pass out. He opened up about his personal struggles includes not only a decade long alcohol addiction, but two arrests.
God changes people.
“I shouldn’t even in some regards be here today,” Stradley said, “I thank God He allowed me to get into that accident before I pulled out into a busy street and I could kill someone.”
The accident he is referring to was in 2009 when he hit rock bottom after crashing his car and being arrested for a second time for driving under the influence in Charlotte, NC. A few days after being released from jail, a friend of Stradley took him to Elevation Church in Charlotte. The message from Pastor Steven Furtick, that day, was one that has stuck with him. Though it took months for Stradley to have his last drink. He, eventually, kicked his addiction to alcohol and began volunteering at Elevation Church. After spending time at Elevation as a volunteer, Stradley joined the staff. He quickly rose up the ranks and became the campus pastor at Roanoke.
From inmate to pastor
Today, Dustin Stradley shares his story to inspire and encourage others. He wants to remind people that God’s not done with them either. God changes people.
“A lot of the bad decisions I’ve made, God has now taken that and allowed that to be part of my story, where God can now use my story to reach someone else who made some decisions they’re ashamed of,” Stradley says, “So yea there was purpose in my pain.”
You are not alone. If you’re not dead, God’s not done.