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From Chains to Change
At twelve years old, his hatred of God took root.
Weighed by chains of guilt and shame, Steven Young grew to live for the moment. He partied, slept around, gambled, and manipulated people for his own desires. His choices led to four failed marriages and eight years in prison. Broke and alone, he lived five years homeless on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, and in 2013 decided to end it all. At his lowest point, the very God he despised stepped in. It would still be a long healing journey From Chains to Change. This painfully honest and powerfully redemptive story is an example of God's ability to transform the past, restore hearts, and offer hope for the future.
Weighed by chains of guilt and shame, Steven Young grew to live for the moment. He partied, slept around, gambled, and manipulated people for his own desires. His choices led to four failed marriages and eight years in prison. Broke and alone, he lived five years homeless on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, and in 2013 decided to end it all. At his lowest point, the very God he despised stepped in. It would still be a long healing journey From Chains to Change. This painfully honest and powerfully redemptive story is an example of God's ability to transform the past, restore hearts, and offer hope for the future.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2021
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 12, 2021
This is a real/raw/honest story of one mans life and struggles laid out for all to see. I appreciate Stevens transparency and his willingness to bare his vulnerabilities. I hope those who read this can learn from his experiences. What did I learn? What can you learn from his story? Compassion for the homeless, understanding for felons, integrity for leaders, importance of listening to children.
I recommend this story for those mature enough to read a brutally honest story. It is not 100% sanitized, but neither was Stevens life. Steven uses a few words that you would not expect to read in a "Christian" book, but the story is presented in a genuine manner.
I recommend this story for those mature enough to read a brutally honest story. It is not 100% sanitized, but neither was Stevens life. Steven uses a few words that you would not expect to read in a "Christian" book, but the story is presented in a genuine manner.
January 31, 2022
Steven Allen Young gives us a very honest look into his life and struggles. The book is very eye opening into many different struggles that he went through. From dealing with many types of abuse, prison, gambling and also being homeless. The authors do a great job of putting his story down. It is at times very hard to read but worth the read. Reading this will definitely change the way you look at others around you and that you may come in contact throughout the day. Throughout the book we read about Mr Young’s struggles with his problems and with God. We also see in the end how he finally turns his life to God and helping others. Even though he still may have struggles he has people around him to help and love him. Even though I have never meet him or heard of his ministry before it is doing great things and bringing many to change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
I met Steven briefly after the last snow storm in TN dropping off blankets and sleeping bags for the homeless at his house. On that icy cold Saturday we briefly chatted about his organization, I thanked him for his heart and providing a way for people to donate and help during such a brutal time. He said I have something to give you walked in the house and gave me this book. I didn’t know what to expect but it was a beautifully written, real and raw story that gives you hope in humanity and redemption!
June 19, 2024
Memoir can be a difficult genre. Every life is story. Some stories are more interesting than others. Some stories deserve to be written down and known beyond the general circle of family and friends. But people often only want to read memoirs about people they know—or think they know. And so we get some of the most vapid, obviously ghostwritten drivel from any number of celebrity figures. (Perhaps I’m feeling this way because I’m trying to decide whether or not to finish Spare, Prince Harry’s memoir of life as the less-important son.) Conversely, there are a lot of people who are not widely known whose stories should be known and putting that story in writing is a great way of doing that, if only you can actually get people to read it. From Chains to Change, a memoir of Steven Young’s long and hard pathway to redemption is one of those stories.
Today, Young is the founder of Home Street Home Ministries, a homeless ministry local to Nashville, Tennessee. But that’s the end of the story. The beginning of the story is a tale of an intelligent, resourceful, fast-talking teenager whose natural charisma skills and sales led to a wild lifestyle loose living, con jobs, drug addiction—and eventually four failed marriages.
Young portrays himself in two contrasting lights. On one hand, he recognizes his potential for success. He doesn’t shy away from talking about his natural abilities to relate to people. Young gets second, third, and fourth chances simply because he’s so darn likable and convincing. On the other hand, that’s what makes his downfall so difficult. It’s not that Young found himself unable to come by success honestly. For him, it was a choice—and then that choice became fueled by addiction. And all of that led him to the top of a bridge in 2013 prepared to jump.
But he didn’t. At just over the 75% mark, From Chains to Change makes its transition. The Hound of Heaven finally caught up to him and a new path was forged forward. The most compelling part of the redemption story for me was Young’s reuniting with his first wife, Andrea. Apart for nearly forty years, they soon find themselves reunited. The story doesn’t necessarily get easier from here. Young founds Home Street Home but there are financial struggles. This isn’t rags-to-riches, but chains to change. Just because you’ve been redeemed doesn’t mean difficulties cease—in fact, they might get stronger.
Overall, From Chains to Change is a compelling, conversational memoir. Aided by NYT bestselling author, ministry partner, and friend Eric Wilson, Young’s voice shines through clear and strong. The book feels like someone sitting down with you over a cuppa and sharing their story with you. Young’s charisma hasn’t left him. It shines through on every page. This isn’t the memoir of someone rich and famous. Young’s conversion story isn’t especially grandiose; his ministry isn’t particularly large, though it certainly has its impact on its local community. Young isn’t some larger-than-life figure. Instead, he’s an everyman. And his story is worth telling and knowing.
Today, Young is the founder of Home Street Home Ministries, a homeless ministry local to Nashville, Tennessee. But that’s the end of the story. The beginning of the story is a tale of an intelligent, resourceful, fast-talking teenager whose natural charisma skills and sales led to a wild lifestyle loose living, con jobs, drug addiction—and eventually four failed marriages.
Young portrays himself in two contrasting lights. On one hand, he recognizes his potential for success. He doesn’t shy away from talking about his natural abilities to relate to people. Young gets second, third, and fourth chances simply because he’s so darn likable and convincing. On the other hand, that’s what makes his downfall so difficult. It’s not that Young found himself unable to come by success honestly. For him, it was a choice—and then that choice became fueled by addiction. And all of that led him to the top of a bridge in 2013 prepared to jump.
But he didn’t. At just over the 75% mark, From Chains to Change makes its transition. The Hound of Heaven finally caught up to him and a new path was forged forward. The most compelling part of the redemption story for me was Young’s reuniting with his first wife, Andrea. Apart for nearly forty years, they soon find themselves reunited. The story doesn’t necessarily get easier from here. Young founds Home Street Home but there are financial struggles. This isn’t rags-to-riches, but chains to change. Just because you’ve been redeemed doesn’t mean difficulties cease—in fact, they might get stronger.
Overall, From Chains to Change is a compelling, conversational memoir. Aided by NYT bestselling author, ministry partner, and friend Eric Wilson, Young’s voice shines through clear and strong. The book feels like someone sitting down with you over a cuppa and sharing their story with you. Young’s charisma hasn’t left him. It shines through on every page. This isn’t the memoir of someone rich and famous. Young’s conversion story isn’t especially grandiose; his ministry isn’t particularly large, though it certainly has its impact on its local community. Young isn’t some larger-than-life figure. Instead, he’s an everyman. And his story is worth telling and knowing.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews