Empowering Lives Through Work and Community
Stories of Redemption
Joseph
I was born here in Hickory. I was raised in an alcoholic family.
All my life, I saw my father, mother, uncles, and friends drink and do drugs, so I thought that this was the way of life—until it led me to juvenile detention. Every time I would get out, the same old thing would take place. It led me to breaking into cars just to support my habit until I got caught and went to prison. I would get out of prison and do the same thing. Back and forth, I got out and went back to prison.
In 2022, I had had enough, and I went to detox. This started my journey of recovery. After detox, I went to New Beginnings in Hickory. Then, on January 3, I came to Exodus, and I felt that Exodus had the recovery support that I needed and had wanted for a long time.
Reginald
I came to Exodus on May 10, 2024.
I was dealing with a lot of past situations and using cocaine. Cocaine was my way of just getting by, day by day. The loss of my grandmother and my daughter, back to back, caused me to have a mental breakdown.
Being at Exodus has brought me peace and given me time to clear my mind and lay a good foundation for myself in life again. Since I have been in the program, I’ve gotten my credit score up to 735. I’ve also paid all of my debt off. My plan is to keep working on my credit score, save as much money as possible, and get both of my businesses back up and running. Until then, I’m working on my peace and staying on top of my health and recovery every day.
Rev. Reggie Longcrier
Rev. Reggie Longcrier is a nationally recognized faith leader, former prison chaplain of 30 years, and community advocate whose life story exemplifies transformation, resilience, and service.
Born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Longcrier’s early years were marked by crime and addiction. By age eleven, he was in and our of retention center and reformatories, and as an adult, he served time in some of the country’s most notorious prisons, including Rikers Island in NY and Rahway State Prison in NJ. His descent into heroin and cocaine addiction led to repeated incarcerations, culminating in a potential 14-year-to-life sentence under North Carolina’s Habitual Felon Act. It was during this pivotal moment that Longcrier experienced a profound spiritual awakening, which he recounts in his memoir, From Disgrace to Dignity.
Following his release, Longcrier defied the odds by becoming a Chaplain of Catawba Correctional Center in Newton, North Carolina. His journey from inmate to chaplain is a testament to his commitment to redemption and service.
In 1997, he founded Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, North Carolina, envisioning it as the heart of “The Exodus Movement,” a mission dedicated to guiding individuals from “disgrace to dignity.” This inclusive, multi-ethnic congregation became a beacon for those marginalized by society. Building upon this foundation, Longcrier established Exodus Homes in 1998, a United Way-supported, faith-based organization providing transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals reentering society after incarceration or treatment. With multiple program locations, Exodus Homes offers comprehensive services, including job training and life skills development.
Longcrier’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, such as the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service, the Hickory Spirit of Martin Luther King Award, and the Key to the City of Hickory. In 2017, the city proclaimed October 18 as “Reverend Reggie Longcrier Day” in his honor.
Today, Rev. Longcrier continues to inspire through public speaking engagements, mentorship, and his unwavering dedication to social justice and community empowerment. His life stands as a powerful testament to the possibility of transformation and the enduring impact of faith and compassion.
EXODUS DIARIES
Exodus Homes and Exodus Missionary Outreach United Church of Christ has partnered with Redhawk Publications, an initiative of Catawba Valley Community College, to create Exodus Diaries, a collection of 14 short stories about the lives and transformations of people who have been a part of the Exodus Movement.
Exodus Diaries was created to share hope with those seeking a place to heal and find support as well as enlighten others that it is never too late for anyone. This book proves we can recover, with heartfelt success stories from all over the human map. Exodus Diaries is for anyone looking for stories of redemption, faith, and freedom.
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