My name is Patrick Conley,

and this is my story. . .

I was baptized in faith, attended parochial school, and became an altar boy while fairly young - studying hard to learn the Latin language. I guess my awareness of God began at a very early age. Mine was a very "religious" childhood.

While in seventh grade, my parents divorced and I was devastated. It was a confusing, painful time that I struggled to understand. Unfortunately, rather than turning to God…I instead turned to drugs. It wasn't long before I moved into addiction and for the next thirty years, was a heroin addict. I still managed to pray from time to time, usually when I was in handcuffs heading to jail: "Dear Lord, get me out of this one and I will never break the law again." Once my troubles were cleared up, though, I found myself back in the same old places, old relationships, and old habits.

At one point, lying in an emergency room near death from two gunshot wounds, I prayed once again, "Dear Lord, if you save my life, I swear I'll live by the Ten Commandments." That was another promise soon broken. At the age of forty-five, I said the most important prayer of my life: "Please, God, help me stop using drugs."

He answered that prayer and led me to a twelve step program where I have learned to live without drugs. I've since shared my story often of sobriety and living clean with others that struggle with addiction throughout the Pittsburgh area. With each step I worked, I got closer to, and developed more conscious contact with, God. I discovered, however, that embracing a "power greater than myself" wasn't enough. I needed more. Though I'd made significant progress, my sponsor in the program saw that I was yearning for more and introduced me to Orchard Hill Church.

From my very first visit, when I was greeted at the door with a warm smile and a sincere, "How are you this evening?", I knew I had found a place where I was welcome. They say when the student is ready, the teacher will arrive. I have found that the messages at Orchard Hill are not only accessible, but exciting. It was here on this hill, in fact, that I discovered my need for a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As I've grown here at Orchard Hill, my prayers have changed dramatically. A couple of years ago, I fell off the roof at work and shattered my legs. The first words out of my mouth were, "Thank God," when I realized I wasn't paralyzed. Though some might choose to focus on the accident, I felt God was watching over me. In roughly the past year, I've lost my mother. I've lost two children. Though feeling kicked in the gut and at moments wrecked with loss, not once have I asked God, "Why me?" I've simply prayed that He help me to embrace these circumstances, walk with me through this season, and hold me a little tighter in his loving arms. Once again, He's answered my prayers.

Last weekend, I stood in this room with dozens of other new members. I committed myself to the lives and ministries of this church and publicly stating that this is my church family…this is my church home. I look forward to getting connected and serving in the Care Ministry where God might use me to walk with others that are hurting.

Now, my prayers are that I be less self-centered and more God-centered instead and that I may serve God and Orchard Hill, my church, my home.

My name is Patrick Conley and this is my story.