Don't Give Up and Don't Give In' -- a slogan that changed the life of super percussionist, Walter Santos
by Dan Wooding
June 27, 2007
LAKESIDE, CA (ANS) -- As a super percussionist, Walter Santos toured nationally and internationally with a who's who of the music business. But he had a terrible secret that was destroying his life - he was addicted to drugs, a habit that nearly had him sentenced to life imprisonment.But then a miracle began to happen in his life when former rock-and-roll hall of famer, Dion DiMucci, who had such hits as "Teenager in Love", "Runaround Sue", "Abraham, Martin and John" and "The Wanderer", told him to totally give his life to Jesus Christ.
Santos began his Christian walk in Hollywood, Fl, where he learned to walk with others who also were addicted to drugs and alcohol. By being involved in recovery groups, Santos and the others learned to trust God, clean house and serve others. It was that simple biblical formula that they used which worked and still works so well.
To make a long story short, after twelve years of following the Lord, he began to compromise in personal areas and accountability. Little by little, his life began to spiral downward. Before he knew it, he was right back on the streets of NYC using heroin again. One day, an overdose stopped his heart. It was from that depth that the Lord Jesus Christ began to bring him back to the land of the living.
From NYC to Lakeside, CA, where he heard the words "Don't give up and don't give in". This simple phrase has become a well recognized adopted slogan at Calvary Ranch, which is a Christian drug and alcohol recovery program, located in Lakeside, CA. Residents and families are continually encouraged not to give up on God's promises - a miracle is right around the corner; and, not to give in to discouragement and temptation.
Pastor Tom McAloon and Paulette, his wife of 30 years, founded Calvary Ranch in 1975 after starting three Rescue Missions in the most dangerous parts of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in 1972. They have an assignment from God to share His love with those battling addictions. Today, over thirty five years later, they have used their combined experiences to develop a program both efficient and miraculously effective. In a family like setting, Pastor Tom and Paulette live on the Ranch along with the staff to provide hands on leadership and support.
The Calvary Ranch program is carefully designed and implemented to allow the power of God to set residents free from addiction and allow them to be what God intended them to be. This highly successful approach has broken the bonds of addiction for thousands of men and women over the years.
God transforms lives at Calvary Ranch
Residents learn to rely on God, His love for them, and His faithfulness. They receive very practical and effective insight and tools for living successful lives. Not only are addictive lifestyles left behind, but hurts are healed; families are restored; and residents find the purpose for their lives.
Although the Biblical Program at Calvary Ranch remains the same, facility and outreach improvements are always being made. One improvement is a new interactive website, which has a lot of helpful information and easy to use page formats.
The website hosts endorsements from longtime friend of the ministry Pat Boone, Pastor Chuck Smith, Pastor Mike McIntosh, Pastor Miles McPherson, Pastor Tony Foglio, Pastor Leo Giovinetti, news anchor Stan Miller, retired sheriff Ben McLaughlin, Dr. Nick Yphantides, and myself. Special messages from Pastor Tom and Elder Aaron McLaughlin are included on the website. The warmth and sincerity in their messages reflect the love, hope, and compassion that are extended to those that enter Calvary Ranch's Program.
A 700 Club video clip of Pat Robertson presenting Calvary Ranch with "America's Church of the Week" award can be viewed. The website also features video testimonies by two graduates and many letters which were written by others whose lives and the lives of their family members have been changed at Calvary Ranch. Details outlining both the Women's and Men's programs are included; and viewers can download an information packet about the Program directly from the site.
Calvary Ranch is licensed by the State of California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Check out the new website and keep it is a resource to offer those families hurting from the wreckage of drug and alcohol addiction. Calvary Ranch can be contacted at 1-800- 404- 2258 or www.calvaryranch.org.
Calvary Ranch is a closed facility, but is open to the public for church services. They are held on Sunday morning at 9:30, Wednesday evening at 7:00; and Friday evening at 7:30. If you find yourself in the Lakeside, CA, area at those times, stop in for a visit. The coffee is always hot at Calvary Ranch and their slogan is: "Don't give up and don't give in".
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
