Warrior Stories
May 2026
Lives are being changed every day at Warriors Center. Before we share this month’s story, David wanted to say a brief word.
A NOTE FROM DAVID
Every month, I’m reminded that real change rarely happens all at once. More often, it happens slowly, through daily choices, accountability, hard work, and people who refuse to give up on one another.
That’s what I continue to see inside Warriors Center.
Men and women come through our doors carrying addiction, broken relationships, and years of hopelessness. But over time, many begin rebuilding the things they once thought were lost…their faith, their families, their work ethic, and their sense of purpose.
In this month’s story, you’ll meet someone whose journey reflects that kind of steady transformation.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us and support this work.
Under His Command,
David Vincent
Founder & CEO
From Addiction, Prison, and Despair to Leading Others: Michael Bailey’s Story
“I don’t want to go to Jesus camp.”
That was Michael Bailey’s reaction in July of 2022 when a psychiatric hospital in Bolivar told him they had found a place for him to go after his release.
At that point, Michael had lost almost everything.
Born in South Miami to parents struggling with addiction, Michael’s childhood was unstable from the very beginning. Eventually, he was adopted by neighbors, but as he got older, he became involved in gang life and violence. What followed was years of chaos, addiction, prison, and loss.
The deepest wound came when gang violence claimed the lives of his wife and daughter. Michael says the grief and trauma that followed sent him even deeper into addiction and despair. After time in prison, he was released to Tennessee through an interstate compact and eventually entered a sober living house in Memphis. But almost immediately, he relapsed.
Before long, he was homeless again, drifting from place to place as the addiction worsened. Eventually, while living in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Michael attempted to take his own life with a syringe filled with bleach.
He survived and was transported to Western Mental Health Institute in Bolivar. From there, the staff contacted Warriors Center.
Michael did not arrive ready for change.
The hardest part in the beginning, he says, was discipline. After years of living however he wanted, he struggled with structure, accountability, and people telling him how to live. There were days he wanted to leave almost immediately.
But then came the moment that changed everything.
During his time in the program, Michael received a letter informing him that he had lost the rights to his son following his suicide attempt. The weight of it broke him. In the middle of chapel, overwhelmed by grief, failure, and hopelessness, he broke down completely. That day, Pastor Bill walked him through what Michael now describes as a surrender prayer. For the first time in years, he stopped fighting everything around him. More importantly, he says he experienced the love of God in a way he never had before.
From there, the trajectory of Michael’s life began to change.
As he progressed through the program, staff began recognizing leadership qualities in him. After reaching the level of E-6, he was asked to serve as Program Director Assistant. Within two months, he was serving as acting Bootcamp Director.
For Michael, being trusted with responsibility after everything he had lived through felt almost impossible to comprehend.
After graduation, he remained on staff in Bolivar before eventually transferring to Memphis, where he continued rising through leadership roles, serving as Bootcamp Assistant, Bootcamp Director, and later Program Director. Having worked nearly every level of leadership inside the ministry, he was eventually selected in the spring of 2026 to become Executive Director of the Bolivar center.
Today, Michael says leadership is not about power or position. It is about responsibility, humility, and example.
“Leadership is a reflection of my actions and not my words. Leading by the Spirit is the only way to be successful.”
His personal life has also been transformed.
In the fall of 2025, Michael married Sara, Executive Director of the Warriors Center New Albany location. The two first met several years earlier during a work trip, but both were still growing and rebuilding their lives at the time. As they continued maturing in their faith and leadership, their relationship deepened, eventually leading to marriage and a new life together.
Today, the couple lives in Collierville while continuing to serve Warriors Center together. Michael says the thing he is most proud of is serving the Kingdom of God and helping develop the next generation of leaders inside the ministry.
When asked what he would say to someone trapped where he once was, his answer is simple: “Surrender. Christ is the only way.”
Michael and Sara today
By the Numbers
Behind every story is the daily work of recovery, accountability, and rebuilding lives across all Warriors Center locations.
5
Recovery Centers
268
Total Beds
303
Bootcamp Completions Since 1/1/25
60
Program Graduations Since 1/1/25
Celebrating Our May Graduates
Lives Changed • New Beginnings • Purpose Restored
This month, we celebrate four graduates from our programs in Olive Branch, Bolivar, and New Albany. Each story reflects the daily work of recovery, faith, accountability, and perseverance.
So far in 2026, 12 men and women have graduated from Warriors Center programs across all locations. Since January 1, 2025, that total has now reached 60 graduates.
Veronica (Olive Branch)
When Veronica arrived at Warriors Center, she was exhausted by years of meth addiction and life on the streets. Her brother Ron had once been a resident at the Memphis center and had encouraged her to seek help, but at the time she was not ready. After Ron tragically lost his life, however, his memory stayed with her, and she eventually reached out to Warriors Center herself.
This time, she fully committed herself to the program. Through the support of her family, the structure of recovery, and a newfound relationship with Christ, Veronica began rebuilding her life one day at a time.
Today, she continues serving around the center wherever she is needed while saving money and preparing for the future. At graduation, Veronica summed up her journey simply: “Jesus changed my life for real.”
Stephanie (Olive Branch)
Stephanie entered Warriors Center carrying years of grief, trauma, and addiction. After losing her mother and enduring an abusive environment, she struggled with meth and pills and had little confidence that lasting change was possible.
Inside the center, she says she experienced genuine love and support for the first time in a long time. As she opened up about her pain and surrendered her struggles to God, she began finding peace and stability she had never known before.
Today, Stephanie is living in one of our sober living graduate homes while working and preparing for the next chapter of her life. At graduation, she shared: “God healed me, and now I have peace.”
Brandon (Bolivar)
Before arriving at Warriors Center, Brandon found himself trapped in a cycle of addiction, alcohol abuse, and repeated time in jail. But once he entered the Bolivar program, he immediately committed himself to the process and began investing in real change.
Through his work with Lion Company and his commitment to recovery, Brandon developed confidence, discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose while also becoming an encouragement to other residents around him.
Today, he continues working with Lion Company while planning for the future alongside his family. At graduation, Brandon reminded others that their past does not have to define the rest of their lives. He shared, “God never gave up on me, even though I gave up on me.”
Lexie (New Albany)
Lexie’s journey to Warriors Center was different from many others. After aging out of the foster care system, she found herself without stability, support, or a place to go. When she first arrived at the New Albany center, she was extremely withdrawn and rarely spoke to anyone.
But over time, as she committed herself to the program and grew in her faith, she slowly began coming out of her shell. The fearful and quiet young woman who first entered the center began discovering confidence, purpose, and community.
Today, Lexie serves as the Clean Team Lead at the New Albany center and hopes to work with children in the future. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “God has blessed me with a new family that loves me very much.”
Lives Are Being Changed Right Now
Every day, men and women arrive at Warriors Center searching for a way out of addiction, hopelessness, and brokenness. Every day, we watch lives begin to change through faith, accountability, structure, and community.
Stories like the ones you’ve read in this update are only possible because faithful supporters continue standing with us. Your gift helps provide meals, housing, transportation, discipleship, and recovery support for the next person who walks through our doors needing hope.
If you would like to help more men and women rebuild their lives, we invite you to give today.