Roy Barr
November 10, 2020
EARNEST ALEXANDER. . . . . I capitalized that name because of the respect I have for that man. I met Earnest at River Community Church in about 2004. He was such a big part of the church, that I knew I had to get to know him and why he had so many friends.
As I got to know him, I realized the love he had for my type—being a drug addict. I had struggled for twenty years with addiction! If it wasn’t for men like Earnest, it would be difficult to make it in this judgmental world. Earnest loves you, no matter what you have been through. Life gives you a deck of cards, and guys like Earnest teach you how to deal them.
I am now sober, and have always said, through my ups and downs, “If I ever found my salvation, I would start a recovery home for addicts.” I would not have this dream if I had not met Earnest. To see his passion to help the less fortunate and his passion to help the kids of the less fortunate is inspiring.
I will always go to the things he has taught me, when I help others. Just watching Earnest for so many years, help the people in this community has given me inspiration.
I go to Cross Point Free-will Baptist Church, and I invited Earnest. He came to visit one Sunday and so many people already knew him and had similar stories. The most common thing I heard was “That man is your friend? He is so respected in the community.”
So the time between the first time I walked into the church and now is sixteen years—and it’s the same way. The way I saw people respond to Earnest sixteen years ago is the same way I see people respond now.
I hope some day to have a building to help addicts and I would name it after him—Alexander Recovery.
