February 2025 Newsletter

Amanda’s story of restoration

After eleven years of alcoholism, Amanda Hokanson attempted to abruptly end her addiction. The sudden stop led to withdrawals that triggered delirium tremens and hallucinations, and she tried to take her life. Although she did not have a relationship with Christ at the time, she reflects, “I knew that He sought me out and saved my life at that point, and I couldn’t refuse to acknowledge God in that way because there’s no way I should have lived.”

Born in Georgia, Amanda moved to Massachusetts when she was three, and grew up around her father’s chiropractic office along with her two siblings. As an adolescent she struggled with self-hatred. When she felt down she would beat herself up repetitively, and eventually turned to alcohol to cope. At twenty-four she moved to North Carolina for a fresh start, but her alcoholism soon worsened. After God preserved her life, He brought her to His Mansion as a Resident in June 2023, at twenty-eight.

Early on, God revealed Himself to her through the community. “I had never been in a healthy living environment with people that were honest, had good integrity, and good care for one another,” Amanda comments, “and then I eventually came to know that was the love of Jesus really.” As she learned honesty in her brokenness, she felt fully received and accepted, and God helped her see the community’s acceptance as a reflection of His own love.

As she came to know Christ, He continued to heal and restore her. Where disappointment in herself used to overwhelm her, she now sees her value in Christ because of His sacrifice, which has transformed her view of performance and “relieved such a burden.” God used her near-death experience to shed light on unacknowledged sin, leading to restoration in her family. “He’s taken even the hardest moments of my life and brought such peace from it.”

After finishing her Resident year in July 2024, Amanda returned as a Servant Leader.

More from Amanda

What is your favorite part of being a Servant Leader?

“The relationships that I get to have with who the Lord has put in my life. We spend so much time together, you get to know them deeper than in relationships outside this context. The diversity in people is beautiful, and this brings unique relationships.”

What scripture is God currently using in your life?

“Jeremiah 31:33

This goes back to how God speaks to our hearts, it is not just a head knowledge of God, but a personal heart knowledge. This is His covenant, there is an assurance of His promise in this.”

Holiday highlights

What did you enjoy most about the holidays on The Hill?

“Being around people that are sober minded and understand what true love really is.”

Joe

“The awareness, presence, and intentionality of the staff families.”

Ramah

What did the holidays at His Mansion teach you about the Lord?

“Spending the holidays in a Christ-centered community felt like being a part of God’s family. Connecting with brothers and sisters in Christ is a reminder that through Christ you can feel connected to even strangers because we are His children.”

Gabby

“That He seeks to be with me in stressful times.”

Aaron

What surprised you about the holidays on The Hill?

“How much I was served by the staff. They actually care about us and it was evidence that this program really is about the Residents here. I do not have to prove myself to receive love and care.”

Elijah

“The extent of people’s generosity, even anonymously.”

Kayla

The choir sang at the annual Christmas Coffee House, and the community gathered for a Christmas Eve celebration.

Did you know?

• There is actually no mansion at His Mansion. His Mansion was founded in 1971 in a Victorian mansion in Connecticut, hence the name. The mansion burned down in the late 1970s and the ministry relocated to the present-day property in Deering, New Hampshire. The location changed, but the name remained.
• His Mansion’s program consists of three phases: Foundations, Inner Healing and Discipleship.
• His Mansion has three graduations each year: February, June and October. Each graduation is followed by an intake period.
• Intake is happening now. If you or someone you know needs help, contact His Mansion at (603) 464-5555 or info@hismansion.com.

New pavilion coming soon

His Mansion is planning and raising funds for a post and beam pavilion, centrally located on the campus, for building community, outdoor worship, celebrations, classes, picnics and recreational gatherings. Gifts can be directed to the “building fund.”

Prayer requests

• For the five male February graduates as they finish their time on The Hill and enter a new season of life.
• New Residents are arriving throughout February. Pray for their hearts to be open to the gospel as they get settled into the community.
• For safety on The Hill during snow season, and for the heating systems to stay strong.
• For Amy, the new women’s counselor, as she gets started in her calling and ministry in the women’s program.