Published October 26, 2018 in Summit Magazine
Redemption. That’s what Justin Drish (’17, ’18) would say if you were to ask him to define his life and ministry in one word. It was through the influence of Teen Challenge, a godly mentor and ultimately through the power of the gospel, that Drish’s life was radically transformed. He went from a life consumed by a heroin addiction to a life consumed by a passion for the redemptive power of God’s Word and at-risk youth.
“I passionately believe in the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to transform lives that are caught in the grips of addiction,” he states.
Drish is a drug and alcohol counselor at Adult & Teen Challenge of Western Pennsylvania and youth director at Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh East. The Monroeville, Pennsylvania, resident seeks to serve those who find themselves in the same situation he did years ago. “I have experienced a transformation that can only be explained as miraculous,” he admits. “This is what drives me to engage those in addiction with the gospel; because I know that nothing short of it will bring lasting change.” He continues, “If the younger generations are gripped by this amazing gospel, God willing, they will not have to experience the painful lessons I had to endure. So, my ministry on both ends is intentional with redemption in mind.”
After graduating from the Teen Challenge program, Drish discerned a call to ministry. With the nudging of his mentor, he applied to Clarks Summit University in the online Addictions Ministry program. It was important to Drish that his education was affordable, online and rooted in a biblical worldview. CSU meet all these criteria and then some.
Drish says CSU’s online format helped him to think critically and become an articulate writer. He acknowledged, “I don’t believe I would have developed these skills so fully in any other situation. The discussion boards helped me to articulate my point of view and to engage in discussion in a deeper way than I think possible in a face-to-face situation. Due to this, I believe I will be better equipped to enter my master’s program, being able to write, think and discuss with graduate-level capabilities.”
A certain level of focus is required for online learning, especially with a busy schedule and two children under 2 years old. Drish accredits his success to “God’s incredible amount of grace and an amazingly supportive wife (Courtney).”
After deciding to pursue higher education as an adult learner, Drish encourages others to take the same leap of faith. “Don’t get discouraged when you look at how long it will take. If you take it one session at a time, slowly but surely, you will get through it. Ultimately, you’re never too late in the game to write a new story.”
-Jessica Eddy is a senior Communications-Writing major from Worthington, Pennsylvania.
