Abilene Salvation Army captain once faced 2 years in prison, now helping addicts

ABILENE, Texas — Captain Joshua McKain, from the Abilene Salvation Army, is helping addicts after overcoming his own addiction.

"I was 22 years-old when I realized I was addicted and it happened quickly," said McKain.

At the age of 15 his world came crashing down when he was told his parents were getting a divorce.

"That hurt," McKain said. "It's something no 15 year-old wants to hear."

McKain started using marijuana and then moved on to cocaine and meth.

Already on probation in 2008, he was stopped in New Braunfels and arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

That's when McKain hit rock bottom.

I couldn't go back home I didn't have a place to stay at the time. I couldn't live with my dad because of my addictive behavior and I couldn't stay with my mom because of the same reason.

He was facing two years in prison and attempted rehab five different times before finding the Salvation Army in Tyler, Texas.

"I didn't have much hope at the time and that's when I prayed," said McKain.

It was there that he found hope in Christ and was able to complete the program.

"I joined the only military that would take me, the Salvation Army," laughs McKain.

After he graduated the program and started serving at the Salvation Army, as well as in Big Spring, he was able to successfully complete probation.

June of 2019 his family and himself moved to Abilene.

It teaches copping skills, resume building, and job skills.

"When somebody picks up a drug or a drink there is a chemical imbalance that begins to happen in the mind," said McKain.

McKain's passion is working and loving those who struggle with homelessness and the working poor.

One reason some end up homeless is because of addiction.

He shares his and prays it reaches someone and they can find hope on their darkest day.