“Boogie”

  My name is Austin Carey aka “Boogie”

I have spent most of my life in the perimeters of St. Louis City, Franklin, and Crawford counties, or anywhere in those surrounding areas.

I grew up surrounded by alcoholism, and drug addiction. I stayed in a trailer majority of the time so the influence out side of family was still very prevalent. Though I walked in chaos constantly, and eventually succumbed to the peer pressure, but I always felt different.

As if I knew there was a calling on my life, but didn’t know where it was coming from. 
  Fast forward through the abuse, neglect, and traumatizing events that took place growing up I eventually became someone I promised myself I never would. I became like my father, and my mother. I walked away from sports, my hopes, and my dreams to ease a pain that I couldn’t let go of without God. I struggled with addiction, anxiety, depression, suicide, and many other dark defects for 10 years.

I spent not one, or two, but three separate stays in the Missouri Department of Corrections. 
  Relapse after relapse, overdose after overdose, suicide attempt after the other, all the rehabs and hospital trips, I was in such a dark place I had Zero Hope!! My Grandmother, who is now Mom, took out a life Insurance policy because she didn’t think I would make it. 
  The Heroin had a grip on me and as bad as I wanted to I couldn’t shake it. I had a beautiful daughter, a wonderful family but even that couldn’t slow the insanity down. I had college opportunities to play football and run track, and a favor on my life that was undeniable. I was so lost in this false reality created by the devil that I stayed in defeat until all I knew was gone.

Then the gavel slammed, “15 years,” said the judge. Off to Pacific Prison I went. With a feeling that my life was over and that I had really done it this time. Though my life was just beginning.

A few months after arriving I met brother Ronnie, also known as J-7.

He and many other good strong brothers of Faith took me under their wings. Something was drawing me to ministry, and something kept pushing me towards music. I met Pastor Chris from Connect Church through prison ministries, and along with J-7 they kept pushing me to join the choir, speak, write music, and be a leader in Christ. I don’t know why but I just kept doing what they told me. The whole time I couldn’t trust them, and always thought they had an agenda, but after a while their consistent love for me changed that.

I still deal with trust today, especially with the FATHER because of the lack of trust with my father. I honestly hated men, and I still seek help to trust without doubt unconditionally. 
 A few years after my miracle, and path crossings with these great men of God I was released from prison for good behavior. Upon release I began my internship at Connect Church. I serve in many ministries for our church, and I spend all my free time using the gift of music that our Lord has blessed me with. I still struggle at times, but what I struggle with today is very different from 4 years ago.

Today I am home and God has blessed me with so much.

Truly when God says HE will restore what the locust have eaten.

HE MEANS IT.

All that was broken is being restored due to good and consistent behavior. I have my own car, a nice place, and everything is legal PRAISE GOD! 
  I’m a Link-Boy carrying a light into the darkness helping lead the blind to the King of light. I wouldn’t change anything because if all of this wouldn’t have happened I wouldn’t be who God needs me to be in this moment, for this ministry, and for His people.

God bless you - “Boogie”