GOD STORIES 40 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition When I was asked to write a monthly article sharing stories of what God is doing through the organizations I lead, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to choose just one story each time. There are so many powerful testimonies that deserve to be told. Over the past couple of weeks, as I spent time in prayer, I felt clearly led to share Nick’s story. It’s a powerful reminder that a relationship with Jesus truly changes everything. My prayer is that his story will inspire and encourage you — especially if you have a loved one or friend battling addiction. No one is ever too far gone for God to reach down and rescue. Daddy’s kid Nick Lowther’s story is one of grit, brokenness, and ultimately, redemption. Born on December 16, 1981, and raised in Ridgeland, South Carolina, Nick grew up in a home that, on the surface, had all the right ingredients. He was surrounded by a loving family that included his parents, two sisters and a brother. He was raised in a household where hard work and discipline were deeply valued. Nick’s parents owned Collins Construction Company, and from a young age, he was immersed in that world. He learned to operate heavy equipment early on and quickly understood that work wasn’t optional, it was essential. His father, a strong and accomplished man who had been a captain in football, baseball, track and basketball, modeled a life of performance and excellence. Nick admired him deeply and was, by his own admission, “a daddy’s kid.” But along with that admiration came pressure. Nick learned early on that he needed to be the best, the fastest, the strongest. His identity slowly became tied to performance by how well he could measure up, rather than who he truly was. While his father was loving and present, he also struggled with alcohol, and the weight of running a business brought visible stress into the home. Nick absorbed more than anyone realized. Connection and loss As a child, there were moments of connection. For example, going night hunting with his dad. These left lasting impressions. But as he grew older, loss began to shape his world. His step-grandfather passed away when he was 10. His grandmother on his father’s side died when he was 11. Another grandmother passed when he was 15. These losses, combined with other grief and internal pressures, began to take a toll. By adolescence, Nick found himself in a dark and confusing place. Feeling like he wasn’t living up to expectations, he began to rebel. What started as stealing, skipping school and smoking marijuana quickly escalated. By 16, he was using cocaine and OxyContin. Before long, it became anything he could get his hands on. Nick left school at 16 and earned his GED, then went to work for his father. But by that point, addiction had already taken hold. What followed were years marked by deep dependency, particularly on opiates and methadone. His life spiraled through bad car accidents, broken relationships and a cycle that seemed impossible to escape. For nearly 20 years, addiction completely defined his life and who he was. At 35 years old, everything came to a breaking point when his father passed away. The loss hit him in a way nothing else had. It forced him to confront a reality he could no longer ignore. He finally realized that he couldn’t keep living the way he had been. He had reached a bottom deeper than he ever thought possible. Nick had tried to get help before. Between 2013 and 2015, he went to rehab twice. But without a real foundation or relationship with Jesus, the change never lasted. He found himself chasing jobs, chasing stability, chasing anything that might fix the emptiness he felt but always ended up back where he started. Real healing That all changed in 2017 when he entered Calvary House in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was nervous and unsure of what to expect, but he knew it was a program designed for those who were truly ready to change their lives. Calvary House is a 12-month commitment that goes beyond sobriety — it focuses on real healing. And real healing requires identifying and confronting the root issues. Nick understood that this meant doing the hard work, digging deep and facing parts of his past he had long buried to avoid dealing with. This time, something was different. It wasn’t just about getting sober; it was about surrender. For the first time, Nick began to build a real relationship with Jesus. That relationship became the turning point in his life. It gave him not only freedom from addiction but also a completely new identity, one not rooted in performance, but in grace. Nick graduated from Calvary House in 2018 and immediately stepped into a new season. In April of that same year, he joined the staff at Calvary Chapel, the very place that had helped change his life. From there, he continued to grow both personally and professionally. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in organizational leadership in 2020, followed by his Master’s Degree in Leadership in 2023. In 2024, he stepped into the role of Grounds Manager at Calvary Chapel, a position that reflects not just his work ethic, but the transformation that has taken place in his life. Today, Nick’s story stands as a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone. What began as a life shaped by pressure, loss and addiction has been rewritten by grace, surrender and purpose. Ten years later, by the grace of God, Nick Lowther is not just sober—he’s restored, redeemed, and walking in the life he was always meant to live. Recovery United is a 501c3 non-profit that is committed to delivering hope to families facing addiction. If you or someone you love needs help, please visit the Recovery United website. While our site is currently under construction, we’re excited to share it with you soon. In the meantime, you can submit an inquiry form, and a member of our team will reach out quickly. We’re here to help — no strings attached. www.recoveryunited.com - Antony Tchividjian - President, Recovery United, and Director, Calvary House From Addiction to Redemption: The Story of Nick Lowther Before & After of Nick Lowther
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