Member Spotlight - Dylan

At ABSOLUTE Ministries, we believe that every person has the potential for transformation, a truth found in the story of our member, Dylan Ruppert. Dylan’s path has been fraught with challenges, but through faith, perseverance, and the support of his community, he is now on a journey of hope and recovery.

Dylan grew up in Palm Springs, California, in a broken home. His parents divorced when he was young, leaving him raised primarily by his mother, who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. “I come from a long line of addiction,” Dylan reflects. “I’ve had family members die from drug use, and I’ve seen the consequences firsthand.” This tumultuous environment set the stage for his own struggles with substance abuse. Dylan began using drugs in high school, eventually trying heroin for the first time with a girlfriend. “It made me feel like I didn’t have a worry in the world,” he recalls. But this escape soon spiraled into a full-blown addiction. “I became an IV user, and I did things I’m not proud of to support my habit,” he admits. His descent into addiction led him to a life of homelessness and incarceration, with moments of desperation as he struggled to survive on the streets.

The turning point for Dylan came during a stint in jail when he reached out to his estranged father, hoping for financial support. Instead, his father offered something far more valuable: a connection to Teen Challenge. “I was skeptical at first,” Dylan recounts. “But I had nothing left. It was either that or continue on a path leading to prison or death.” After entering the program, Dylan experienced a profound transformation. “I surrendered everything,” he explains. “I dealt with the hidden issues I had been running from for so long.” Over the next six months, he rebuilt his life, finding solace and redemption through faith in Jesus. Dylan’s mother also found her way to recovery, having been inspired by her son’s transformation. “We both came to know the Lord during that time. It was a blessing to see her getting clean and sober,” he shares with a smile.

After graduation from that program, Dylan faced typical challenges adjusting to life outside any highly structured evironment, leading him back to substance use, particularly alcohol. Recognizing that he needed a supportive lifestyle community, he reached out to ABSOLUTE Ministries. “I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me here,” he says. “I knew I needed a place with godly men who could help me grow.” “My favorite part about ABSOLUTE is the community. It’s a safe place for men who want to learn and grow,” Dylan expresses. “I’ve never felt more at peace.”

Today, Dylan is employed full-time at Century Publishing, and he serves at All of Life Church in Post Falls. He has a mentor from his church who went through the ABSOLUTE Ministries online mentor training. Through this relationship, Dylan is now being grafted into the local church. He receives gracious guidance and encouragement, reinforcing his desire for a Holy Spirit empowered lifestyle. We are proud of Dylan and his journey. He is grateful for the lessons learned and the relationships forged along the way. He finds strength in the scripture, Isaiah 41:10: “Do not be afraid for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God.” This verse is a constant reminder of God’s power and support that surrounds him in the culture fostered at ABSOLUTE.

Looking forward, Dylan hopes to share his story with others who are still lost in their struggles. “I’ve seen the power of God in my life, and I want to reach out to my family and friends who are still caught in addiction,” he says passionately. His journey continues to inspire those around him, proving that with God, healing and hope are always within reach.