Thirty years ago, I came to Thibodaux, Louisiana addicted to meth, unemployed, divorced, and out of options. I had exhausted every avenue of help except one—God. I wish I could say He was my first choice, but truthfully, He was my last. Yet when I finally turned to Him, He wasn’t offended. He was waiting for me with open arms.

Looking back, I now realize God had been reaching for me all along—even during the darkest years of my addiction. Before I ever thought of Him, He knew me. And when I finally turned from my sin and turned toward Jesus Christ, everything changed. I was born again. It wasn’t just a fresh start—it was a brand-new life.

That first year of walking with Jesus wasn’t perfect. I stumbled more than once. I relapsed. I fell. But every time I cried out to God, He met me with mercy. He never stopped reaching for me. And then, on July 5, 1995, after countless broken promises and a thousand times swearing “never again,” I hit the end of myself for good. That day really was my last time using meth or drinking alcohol.

I’ll never forget standing in the wreckage of my failure and asking God out loud, “Why did I do it again?” In that moment, I felt Him speak to my heart:

“Jeff, you didn’t have to do it—and you never have to do it again.”

That truth became my turning point. His strength carried me through every trigger and temptation that followed. He filled me with His Spirit, taught me His Word, and showed me how to live in lasting freedom—not just sobriety, but emotional and spiritual healing.

He showed me boundaries, wisdom, and the power of godly fellowship. He taught me that real recovery isn’t found in isolation or willpower—it’s found in surrender to Him and staying connected to a community of faith. It’s in walking the Path of Life.

The Birth of POLR

Path of Life Recovery (POLR) was born out of that journey. What started as my personal healing became a calling to help others experience the same freedom I had found—not through religion or self-help programs, but through the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

POLR is a Christ-centered, biblically-based recovery ministry rooted in the eternal truth of God’s Word. While we incorporate the time-tested framework of the 12 Steps, we do so unapologetically through the lens of Scripture and spiritual transformation. We believe Jesus didn’t die just to help us cope—He came to set us free. Every lesson, every gathering, and every conversation at POLR is aimed at that goal: freedom that lasts and a relationship that heals.

Today, by God’s grace, I’m walking into my 30th year of complete sobriety. But more importantly, I continue to walk the Path God laid before me—the same Path He now uses to help others find their way home.

Our Invitation to You

If you’ve reached the end of yourself—if you’re exhausted, broken, or stuck in cycles you can’t seem to escape—there is hope. There is a Path of Life, and it leads to healing, freedom, and purpose.

We invite you to join our POLR family and discover for yourself what the Lord has in store for you. No matter how many times you’ve fallen… He’s still reaching. His arms are still open. And He’s ready to walk you into a new beginning.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

Walk well,  
Jeff Walthers
Director, Path of Life Recovery, Inc.