Page 108 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2025

THE SOLUTION
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Ronnie Arant, Program Director; Kent Lassiter, Counselor; Joseph Deason, Disciplinarian Counselor; Joel Oustalet, Lead Counselor;Austin McMullen, Counselor; Josh Barton, Executive Director; Mia Sumrall, Administration Assistant; Clay Barton, Associate Director; Monica Sanders, Staff Assistant; Ross Richard, Admissions Director;
Kyle Summerall, Intake Coordinator; F.G. Ware, Community Relations; Stephen Walker, Counselor; Drew Hurd, Director of Finance
Home of Grace
At the Home of Grace, our mission has always been grounded in faith and transformation. But since January of last year, we took a deliberate step to live out those convictions more fully. As a staff, both campuses adjusted their opening office hours from 8 to 8:30 each morning, setting aside the first half hour of every workday for prayer and devotion.
What began as a simple rhythm has grown into something deeply formative. Those 30 minutes—time that could easily be spent answering emails or returning calls—have become the most valuable part of our day. They center us on what truly matters and remind us that our work is first and foremost a ministry.
Led by a different staff member each day, this daily practice has strengthened our sense of unity and deepened our connection to our mission to offer freedom from addiction through Christ-centered recovery.
We’ve been reminded that humility precedes service, that stewardship includes how we spend our time and resources, and that rest and reflection are as vital as diligence and
OUR VALUES
PRAYER: Inspire prayer to be my first response, not last resort.
SCRIPTURE: Guide my motives and actions based on Your holy truths.
HUMILITY: Remind me that I am in no less need of Grace than those I serve.
CALLING: Direct me to live out my purpose with which I have been uniquely equipped.
HEALTH: Help me to glorify You with my mind and body.
MENTORSHIP: Motivate me to teach and to be taught.
STEWARDSHIP: In years of plenty, teach me modesty and generosity. In years of famine, teach me patience and generosity, still.
SABBATH: Allow me to rest in Your provision, reflect in worship, and delight in Your good pleasure.
The Faces of
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productivity. Most of all, we are experiencing the joy of starting each day by seeking the Lord together as the clients do.
At the Home of Grace, leaning into our values has meant more than just affirming what we believe—it has meant choosing, each morning, to live by them.