Dean and Pendley both have stories of dealing with substance abuse and addiction.

Dean had a successful banking career that was derailed by alcohol and gambling–and then cocaine.

“Every time I thought I had hit rock bottom, I found a new one,” he said.

Pendley grew up with no godly influences, living a life of anger and depression that led to a path of alcohol and drug abuse.

“One morning after an all-night drug binge, I rode by a local church and saw people standing outside smiling, hugging and happy to be alive,” Pendley said. “I thought to myself, ‘I want what they have.’

“Shortly after, God began to deal with my heart in a way I had never known. On Oct. 6, 1998, I found myself on the altar surrendering my life to Jesus Christ.”

Pendley later worked as a youth pastor, became involved at the Foundry and attained a master’s degree in Christian counseling.

Now, Pendley and Dean help men overcome problems similar to the ones they had.

“The main work we do is transform lives,” Dean said. “We bring them in and build them up–let them know that they have value, that they have worth.

“We don’t believe anybody who walks through that door is a bad individual.”

The program includes daily classes and counseling, some of which is provided by local church officials who are otherwise not affiliated with Turning Point, and other experts. The program lasts 12 weeks, but some participants stay longer, depending on their situation.

Three meals a day are served in the dining hall, and the residents enjoy recreational time after 3 p.m. each day.

Anyone older than 18 is eligible to participate, as Turning Point does not restrict participants based on race, religious belief or any other factor. Residents are required to be able to physically participate in the program, such as climbing the steps to the sanctuary in the chapel.

There are no restrictions on participation at Turning Point other than physically being able to be part of the program.

However, the program stays at or close to its limit of 25 residents at any given time. A capacity of participants is important because the Foundation depends on intake fees to cover its costs.

Dean said officials would like to start seeing more of the population made up of local residents. He knows there are people in Chilton County who need help.

Foundation officials have made progress with this effort by reaching out to the county’s judicial system and the Chilton County Department of Human Resources.

Program participants have also taken advantage of opportunities to help the community, such as a recent effort to renovate the girls locker room at Chilton County High School and helping feed those in need at the SonLight Center in Jemison.

“Everybody is touched by drug addiction in some way,” he said. “We have people from affluent areas who come from privilege, and we have people who come from nothing.”

Meanwhile, Pendley said he would like to see the ministry grow.

“I would love to take what we have here and duplicate it–maybe in south Chilton County or Prattville,” Pendley said. “Another of my visions is I would love to create an atmosphere like this for women.”

Turning Point can be reached at 646-3650, or visit turningpointalabama.org.