Faith City Ministries hosted its annual benefit at Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo on Thursday, Nov. 18.  The “With Open Arms” benefit featured guest speaker, Texas Rangers all-star outfielder Josh Hamilton and musical talent by American Idol finalist Lacey Brown.

“Faith City Ministries is an organization that has been a great asset to the Amarillo area,” Camille Bingham, part owner of Proffitts Lawn and Leisure in Amarillo, said.  “I think that their annual benefit is a great way to spread the word about how much this organization needs help from our community.”

The benefit raised money to help Faith City Ministries end addiction and homelessness in Amarillo and to ensure that these problems are only temporary and not long-lasting.

“The first thing we do is we want to teach people about the salvation of Jesus Christ,” Jena Taylor, Faith City Ministries executive director, said.  “Because frankly, if you don’t have him, recovery is not looking too good.”

The benefit brought in over 3,800 people, almost packing the Trinity Fellowship Church sanctuary. Hors d’oeuvres were served at 6:30 p.m. to guests who had purchased either a specific ticket or sponsorship table.

“The benefit was amazing and I am so lucky to have been able to attend,” Meagan Bruce, general admission attendee, said.  “Hamilton gave a very touching testimony and Lacey Brown sang wonderfully.”

Josh Hamilton spoke about struggling with drugs and alcohol in his past and how it affected his baseball career and his family.  His wife, Katie Hamilton, also joined Josh on stage and discussed how his past had affected her and their marriage.

“As all the things Josh has gone through, struggling and fighting with addiction, and then emerging to take a team to the American League Championship this year is amazing,” Taylor said.  “But not just that, that he was able to be named most valuable player of the year.”

According to Faith City Ministries’ web site, they are passionate about transforming the lives of those in need. Every day they strive to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction and poverty. Their hope is to bring physical and spiritual restoration to those they serve.

“I have a mission now,” Josh Hamilton said.

He now makes his mission to be a ray of hope for others who are going through the same hardships and addictions that he went through.

“I have a platform and a message, and now I go to bed at night, sober and happy, praying I can be a good messenger,” Hamilton said.  “Addiction is a humbling experience. Getting it under control is even more humbling.”