After time in Northampton County jails and treatment programs, Rob was ready for change and became a student in August 2018. He is now an active member at Forgiven Church and works at Freedom Flooring. Now, as the House Manager at our New Holland site, Rob can help others feel like family and find healing from their past through Jesus Christ.
“The Potter’s House has taught me a lot since I have been here. They took me in like family and helped me restore my relationship with Jesus and my family members. One of the most helpful things I have learned since being here is the power forgiveness can have in our lives. I have been able to forgive myself and others and start living in the present and not in the past. Now that I am the house manager I want to do what I can in making others feel like family and at home here so they can grow and live by faith in God and not weighed down by their past. I feel extremely blessed to be here and have this opportunity to help others find freedom in Jesus Christ.”
Rob’s Testimony
My name is Robert Roth. I am 30 years old and am currently staying at The Potter's House. I consider myself very blessed to be here and have a lot of gratitude for all the support I get from everyone at the Potter's House. This is not my first attempt at trying to clean up my way of living. But with God's grace and the guidance from my brothers at the Potter's House, I feel like I finally am receiving exactly what I have been needing.
Over the past few years I have tried more times than I'd like to admit to change my life and move on from my past. I never planned on having a criminal record, being locked up, feeling like a failure, or most of all hurting all the people who love me. Sadly, all of these things were a constant part of my life.
For a long time I hated the world, I hated people, and I hated myself. It seemed like no matter what I did or how hard I would try, I could never really become happy with myself or feel like I was a part of something good. Even within my own family I felt like I was just a problem and wondered why I was alive at all. I resented the fact that I was born, and I looked forward to my last day. “Life isn't for everyone,” I used to think. I was just someone who wasn't supposed to be. I had my back turned away God.
Now, it makes me sad to remember how I felt from spending so many years this way. My family has always loved me, and I always loved them. I have made some pretty big messes and carried a lot of pain around, but no matter how bad things got I always wished that things were different. I know now that it was God in me. He never left my side, even when I felt I hated him for creating me. In the midst of everything I went through and everything I put myself through, God was always with me, and he wouldn't let me go. There is no other way I can imagine I would be alive or have the peace and joy that I have today.
I knew I needed God in my life and was more than ready to let go of the weight that was suffocating me. However, I really needed help because I had no idea how to go about letting it all go. Then, God put a friend in my life who told me about the Potter's house. He explained that it is a Christ-centered recovery and discipleship program. He told me it would be the best thing that would happened to me. It honestly sounded too good to be true, but I was ready for a change and wanted to accept Jesus back into my life.
Since the first day I spent at the Potter's House, I knew this was a special place. I could feel the presence and love of God around me. The staff got me back into the Bible and spoke life to me through God's Word. They helped to understand God really does love me, and I am his son. Everyday I am taught more about God's love and his will for us. I finally have what I needed more than anything else: A relationship with Jesus and God.
Because of Jesus, I can see good things in people and the world again. I love being alive and am so grateful for each day. Without the staff at the Potter's house, I really don't know where I would be. The Potter's House has given me the knowledge of God's love and grace and the freedom to make decisions for myself according to my faith, beliefs, and values. My back is no longer turned away God. I am becoming who he always meant for me to be. I have a great job doing work with guys I consider real friends. My family is happy for me. I am genuinely happy, and I feel like I belong in the world today.
I can say that my friend who told me about the Potter's House was right. This place has been one of the best things that has ever happened in my life, and I am grateful for it. I don’t deserve any of this, but God has worked a miracle in me and my life.