Where Everybody Knows His Name

The Hope Herald

If you have ever travelled around Cedar Rapids, you know that there is no place you can go where someone doesn’t know Jerry “JR” Lown. For more than half his life, JR became well-known for the havoc he wreaked on the community, leading to nearly 28 years behind bars. However, this is not how many view the rugged looking Lown. In fact, just about every place you go, someone has a positive JR story to tell.

Raising Cane!

A difficult childhood led to a life dedicated to drugs and violence. “It was who I became. No matter where I went, it seemed to be a part of my life,” explains Lown.

That journey eventually led him to places like Seattle, Washington, where he served as a truck driver for many years. However, it was difficult for him to let go of his past life, and that eventually led to several stints behind bars, encompassing nearly three decades of his life.

God’s Got a Grip!

It seemed like JR would never break the pattern. That he was destined to spend decades more behind bars. However, a return to prison eventually changed that. JR was looking for God to make a transformation in his life, and he found it in the Bible.

“I was reading Ephesians 4:22-32. It was in prison that God spoke to me about these verses. I wanted to get rid of my old ways and to be a new creation. There, walking around the yard, I knew God was speaking to me. I knew there was something more that I wanted.”

Wanting more was not just idle talk. It was now his goal, and JR met that goal by opting to go to Hope CDA. He had been to more than a dozen treatment programs before, but none of them seemed to have the right impact. At Hope CDA, it was going to be a different story.

“I am not going to lie. At first, I didn’t think this would be any different. However, I began to see my old ways pass away. I was no longer focused on what other people were doing but wanted something for myself. This was my opportunity to do something different.”

It was a tough transition, because he had spent much of his life trapped in his old ways. To have a new life, he had to change his entire way of thinking.

“I knew how to hustle, but I did not know how to live, at least not biblically. I had to change everything about what I was doing, get rid of who I was and let God do something new in me.”

JR entered the Hope CDA Life Transformation Program just after New Year’s 2023. He was truly committed to the life transformation process, embracing the passage in Ephesians 4 that was spurring his every thought. While in the program, JR led one of the construction teams, and also led several classes, including on Friday mornings.

He wanted to make a difference in the lives of others while he was still working on himself. “That’s what it’s really all about. It’s helping the next person get to a better place. It’s about helping that man let go of his old self.”

It’s Where You Belong

After graduating the program, JR remained at Hope, serving as one of the leads on the renovation of a home on 4^th Avenue. While enjoying having JR at Hope, then Executive Director Carl Gonder had different plans for the recent graduate. He was looking for an additional Program Navigator to assist Dr. Robert Pannier, and JR was who he wanted filling that position.

“He was what Hope CDA is all about. This is a Life Transformation Program, and JR was such a great example of seeing a person’s life transformed. His story is why we do this. We knew he would have such a big impact in the lives of our participants. He is an incredible miracle!”

Carl was right. JR joined the Program Navigation Team in June 2024 and quickly became an integral part of the team. JR led classes, helped integrate policies, and improved the overall success of the program.

As Executive Director Dr. Robert Pannier explains, “He had such a heart for these men. It wasn’t just that he had completed the program. That helped him to understand the challenges the men would face. However, it was his love for the men that made such a difference. They knew they had a great advocate in JR.”

Let No Man Separate

In October, JR finally found the perfect companion to complete his life when he married his bride, Erika. Despite being married, Erica remained in Quincy, Illinois, while JR lived here in Cedar Rapids. He was waiting to complete a probation obligation but now has been given the opportunity to join his wife.

So, this will be the last week for JR Lown at Hope CDA. Our dear Brother will head south to join his wife in Illinois where we know he will serve his new community well. There is no doubt that JR will be an incredible servant for Jesus there, and we pray that God will use him in amazing ways, ways that are even more amazing than how He has used him here.

Come Join the Celebration

We will hold a little gathering on Thursday at 4:15 to honor JR. Please come and join us. It will be hosted at the Hope Center, 842 14^th Street, SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Graduates Who Serve

One of the great parts of Hope CDA is that we get to help men to become disciples of Jesus Christ. Many of the men move on to other venues where they have successfully transition back into society. Some opt to remain at Hope, however, wanting to continue to serve the men in our program.

While JR is moving on (and we wish him the best), four graduates are still part of the Hope CDA program. That includes Program Navigator Luke Cloudman as well as foremen Eric Mullinex, Cory Clubb, and Trent Tuel. These men are helping to maintain the incredible culture that has been developed at Hope CDA.

Hope Good News

On Monday, Nick Schieffer joined the Hope CDA Life Transformation Program. We ask that you pray for Nick as he begins his year-long transformation, praying that he grows in his faith in Jesus while also overcoming the demons of addiction… With a number of men set to graduate the program, Hope CDA has set the dates for the three upcoming graduations. Josh Hanson is expected to graduate on April 15, and his ceremony will be at Mission of Hope at 7:00 p.m. on April 14. Cody Eickhoff (April 22) and Eric Wilson (May 7) are also set to graduate soon. The ceremony for these two will be on April 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Mission of Hope. We encourage all to attend and join in the celebration… Adam Youker began as a foreman at Hope CDA on Monday. Adam is highly skilled and has a lot of construction experience. We know he will be a great addition to Hope CDA.

Prayers for the Week

This is an idea that Executive Director Dr. Robert Pannier should have thought about a long time ago but will be included in each edition of The Hope Herald. We ask you to join in prayer for these things:

1. Two men were released from the Life Transformation Program (LTP) and one opted to move on last week. We ask that you pray for Daniel, Trevor, and Chaz, praying that God continues to work in their lives and that He blesses them and keeps them safe.
2. Nick begins the LTP on Monday. We ask that you pray for Nick as well.
3. Hope CDA will welcome a new Program Navigator within the next 10 days. Pray that this person will have a dramatic impact on the success of our participants.
4. Please pray for JR as he begins the next journey of his life. Pray for a great marriage for him and Erica, as well as for success in his new job.
5. We pray for the health of Lavonne and Jason. Lavonne is still looking for success and her battle against cancer. Jason will have a biopsy performed on March 13 to see if he has cancer. Please pray that that result proved to be benign.

 Encouragement Night at Hope CDA

This Tuesday we are honored to have Pastor John Mosinki from FaithLife Church as our speaker. Pastor Mosinki has never spoken here before, so we are looking forward to his message of encouragement. Please join us on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

 Looking out for Xaviar and Josh

Our dear Brother Xaviar Wright recently suffered a tragedy when his car was totaled in an accident. As a result, Xaviar no longer has a car and needs transportation to be able to get to work. If you have an inexpensive vehicle to sell or want to give away, Xaviar could sure use it.

In fact, Josh Brafford is also looking for a new vehicle. Like Xaviar, his resources are limited. If you have a reliable vehicle that will get Josh and/or Xaviar around, please contact Dr. Pannier (rob.p@hopecdacr.org).