“ When I finally surrendered completely to God, I found peace. I got sober, started going to Celebrate Recovery at the church, and began to learn who I really was.”
Fourteen years later, Savannah has built a new life grounded in faith, forgiveness, and service. She married Ronnie, a man also in recovery, and together they have dedicated their lives to helping others find healing.
“ Celebrate Recovery taught me how to forgive my mom, love my dad enough to let go of the hate, and forgive myself,” she says. When her biological father reached out after finding faith in prison, Savannah was hesitant, but through prayer and guidance, she began communicating with him. Before he passed away from cancer, she was able to tell him she forgave him.“ He died 45 minutes later. That was God’ s timing. I never could have done that without God.”
Savannah and Ronnie served in youth ministry in South Carolina for several years, sharing their story of brokenness and redemption. Later, they returned to Greenville to work with Project Restore, a safe house for people who have been trafficked, an issue deeply personal to Savannah.
Life in recovery hasn’ t been free of pain. In 2023, Savannah faced a health scare that doctors initially thought was cancer, before diagnosing her with an autoimmune disease. Around the same time, her family experienced a traumatic situation involving a foster child living in their home.
“ My heart shattered,” she admits.“ As a survivor of abuse, I always promised that would never happen in my home, but then it did. The guilt was overwhelming.” Through counseling, Celebrate Recovery, and her faith community, the family found strength and healing.
That same year brought both struggle and
Savannah Causey triumph.“ I had all my teeth removed and went six months without them,” she says.“ I felt ugly and worthless, but God used that time to show me who I really am, a daughter of the Most High King.” Despite those hardships, Savannah earned her associate’ s degree, received her local minister’ s license, and continued her path toward becoming a recovery pastor.
Then, in 2024, tragedy struck again. Ronnie was in a motorcycle accident, hitting a deer and being airlifted to the hospital.“ I cried out to God, begging him to save my husband,” she recalls.“ And he did.” Ronnie recovered, and the experience strengthened their faith even more. Today, Savannah runs a drop-in recovery center for people struggling with addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. She continues to live with a chronic illness and supports her son, who also has a chronic illness, as well as autism.
“ Some days are hard- really, really hard,” she admits.“ But I’ ve learned that God uses everything, every heartbreak, every relapse, every scar, for his glory. My pain became my purpose.”
Savannah’ s cites Jeremiah 30:17, which says,“ For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.”
“ That’ s my life verse,” she says.“ God took the broken little girl who
thought she was worthless and turned her into someone who helps others believe in hope again.”
To anyone struggling with addiction or despair, Savannah’ s message is simple:
“ Don’ t give up. Don’ t leave before the miracle happens. Work the steps. Trust God. He really does turn our mess into our message. V
Savannah Causey is a recovery pastor, recovery coach, mental health peer specialist. She holds a Bachelor’ s Degree in theology and is preparing to test for recovery therapist credentials.
For confidential help, contact Bethel Life Worship Center at 724-589-5433.
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