From Amish Roots to a Life Redeemed
I was born into the Amish world — quiet, strict, and often confusing. But behind the rules and simplicity was a storm I didn’t know how to face. Addiction, anger, rejection — it nearly consumed me. But God met me in the middle of my mess. Today, I’m walking in freedom, purpose, and hope. This is my story — not of perfection, but of transformation.
The Early Years: Growing Up Amish
I was adopted into an Amish family as a baby. My childhood was filled with silence and confusion — never truly feeling like I belonged. I struggled deeply with rejection, and over time, those emotions turned into anger, bitterness, and self-destruction. By the time I was 11, I had already fallen into addiction. By 14, I was fighting with my family daily, angry at the world and at myself.
Breaking Point & Rock Bottom
At my lowest point, I was battling addiction, anger, and a broken sense of identity. I had left home, lost control of my emotions, and even lost jobs because of my outbursts. I tried to get help. I cried out to God, but it felt like silence. Eventually, I was sent to a counseling center. That week changed my life. I started to face my pain, open up, and let others walk beside me. It wasn’t easy — but for the first time, I saw a glimpse of hope. Healing had a cost, but so did staying broken. When I returned home, I was still fighting. But now, I was fighting for something: my freedom, my faith, and a new life.
Leaving the Amish: Choosing Freedom
I knew where I was headed — and it wasn’t where I wanted to be. The anger, shame, and cycles of addiction weren’t just a phase. They were prison walls. I realized that unless I made a radical change, I’d never truly be free. So I made the hardest decision of my life: I left the Amish.
There was no plan, no money, no backup. Just a deep conviction that I couldn’t heal in the same place I was broken. I said goodbye to everything familiar and stepped into the unknown — scared, but ready. At first, it felt like pure freedom. But soon the struggles followed me. The addictions, the loneliness, the spiritual battles — they didn’t disappear overnight. But this time, I was no longer hiding. I began surrounding myself with people who spoke life into me and believed God had a purpose for my pain. Leaving the Amish wasn’t the end of my story — it was the beginning of a new one.
The Weekend That Changed Everything
I was invited to a men’s leadership conference — and at first, I had no intention of going. I made excuses. I almost said no. But something in me said, “Just go.”
That weekend, God broke through the walls I had built for years. I laid down my pain, my secrets, my shame — and for the first time, I truly felt free. It was like stepping out of darkness into the light. I saw my life with new eyes. I wasn’t just someone who had left the Amish. I was someone being called — to live with purpose, to help others, and to walk in freedom.
A New Life — Built from the Ground Up
Since that turning point, I’ve been building a life that reflects the freedom and calling God gave me.
- I got engaged to the most beautiful, kind-hearted woman — and we’re getting married in November 2025.
- I served as a volunteer firefighter with the Greensburg, KY Fire Department, learning to serve others and face fear head-on.
- I taught myself web design with no college degree, not even a GED — and today, I’m proud to be a full-time designer at Troyer Websites.
- I launched my own business, Traditional Siding LLC, taking real responsibility and growing as a business owner.
I want my story to be proof that it doesn’t matter where you come from — if you’re hungry enough, and God is leading the way, anything is possible.
Life inside the Amish wasn’t what many imagine. Yes, there was peace and discipline — but for me, there was also deep inner pain, isolation, and a feeling of being trapped with nowhere to turn.
