Shining the Light that God Shone for Me | A Hope Is Alive Impact Story

Shining the Light that God Shone for Me | A Hope Is Alive Impact Story

Early Life and Family

My name is Jessica Brackett. I am originally from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and by the grace of God, today I am three and a half years sober!

I was born to two very young parents. My mom and dad were both 15 when I was conceived, so my grandparents—who have been married for 54 years—took on more of the parenting roles in my life. They always showed me affection, love, and attention whenever they were around me. They made sure my three brothers and I were provided for, and I am so grateful for the stability and guidance they gave.

Today, I know that my mother did the best she could with what she knew as a young mom, especially because my father was absent. As a girl, I disregarded my feelings about his absence and instead took on the role of protector and caretaker for my brothers. Whenever I needed comfort, I could ride my bike to my grandparents’ house.

I didn’t grow up around drugs or alcohol. We attended church at Free Will Baptist Church when I was younger, and then we didn’t.

Cheerleading and Rebellion

From 3rd grade to 7th grade, I attended Grand View Elementary School, where my grandfather was on the school board. I participated in competitive cheerleading and excelled, but cheer became an outlet for a false sense of self. I channeled everything into becoming the best, using it to distract from negative emotions.

In 7th grade, my mother remarried, and we moved to Locust Grove. That meant no more cheerleading, no grandparents nearby, and my world came crashing down. At age 13, I was trying to find myself with no outlet, security, or stability. Resentment grew toward my mom, and rebellion began.

I started seeking validation in older men and became promiscuous. At 14, I began drinking alcohol and sneaking out to party. By my sophomore year, I was expelled from school and kicked off the cheer squad after being taken advantage of at a party. Humiliated, I dropped out of high school, and things spiraled further.

Addiction and Struggles

At 16, I moved in with my dad and his wife Jenny in Tahlequah. They made me finish high school, and Jenny took me to church, but I felt out of place and depressed. After graduation, I went to beauty college, started smoking marijuana, and was introduced to methamphetamine by 18. I cut myself off from my family, only reaching out when I needed money.

At 20, I found out I was pregnant with my first son, Jay, and later my second son, Colby. I stayed sober for five years, doing my best to hold things together. I told myself I would do anything to keep my family intact. But after years of covering for my partner’s addiction and enduring abuse, I eventually fell back into the same cycle—men, drugs, trauma, repeat.

My addiction escalated quickly. I asked my grandparents to take guardianship of my boys because I couldn’t be present. Afterward, I sank deeper, using heroin and fentanyl. I carried shame, guilt, humiliation, and trauma, convinced I was a lost cause.

By 29, I was broken, contemplating suicide, and begging God, “End me or end this!”

A Divine Encounter

My family, out of options, cut me off. Suicidal and fading fast, I was couch-surfing and in and out of the crisis center. Eventually, I was picked up by Officer Billy Kammerzel, who delivered a message of hope: “If you want something different, you can achieve it. But only you can make that decision.”

He took me back to the crisis center, and my journey to recovery began. I went to The Oaks in McAlester and started reading Proverbs, not even realizing at first that God was answering the prayer I had cried out in desperation.

At 30, I knew I didn’t want my life to look like it had before. I needed more than treatment—I needed true change.

Finding Hope is Alive

Hope is Alive came to The Oaks and shared testimonies about Jesus with joy and authenticity. I doubted I would fit in, but I saw the light of God shining through them and wanted what they had. I even told one of them, “One day I will do what you just did,” though fear consumed me.

When I arrived at HIA, the love of God hit me. I surrendered and began following the women around me who modeled joy, honesty, and faith. Women from Crossings Church came weekly to lead Bible studies, showing me consistency, love, and care. Through them, I saw that Jesus could heal my humiliation and trauma.

Transformation and Purpose

At HIA, I had to fight lies that told me to leave or that I didn’t belong. But with the support of leaders, I pressed on. After a year, I was offered a job with HIA as a regional outreach coordinator, sharing my testimony in treatment centers.

I graduated from HIA in January 2024 and began therapy. In 2025, I moved home to reconcile with my family and my sons, now 11 and 13. I continue to work with HIA, building relationships with churches and treatment centers. God is nowhere close to finished—He is just getting started with my family.

Living in the Light

After years of searching for a father figure in the wrong places, I finally know the Father. Having experienced His unconditional love, I want to tell everyone about it.

Today, I am a fully present mother, granddaughter, daughter, and sister. I speak to families who are suffering in silence, breaking the stigma that kept me trapped for so long.

I am grateful for God’s provision, my family’s forgiveness, and the thriving community I am part of today. HIA gave me tools, community, and the opportunity to share the Gospel in places that desperately need it—and for that, I am eternally grateful.