Today we’d like to introduce you to James Bradley.
Hi James, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
A Story of Resilience, Redemption, and Service
Born and raised in Bishopville, South Carolina, I began life under challenging circumstances. Adopted at three months old by Ms. Luvenia Bradley, a woman of incredible strength, my early years were marked by a profound sense of love and family. The story of my adoption, however, wasn’t one that I learned until much later — at age 13 — and it completely changed the trajectory of my life.
At the time, I had no idea that my biological parents had left me with Ms. Bradley, asking her to babysit me for just an hour or two. They never came back. Ms. Bradley, the mother of six children, had lost her oldest son at the age of 17. She had always prayed to God for a son to replace him, and in her heart, she believed I was that replacement. Raised by a mother who understood the pain of loss but chose love over bitterness, I was blessed with a strong, caring family who provided for me in ways I will forever be grateful for.
However, the discovery of my adoption at 13 stirred up a storm of emotions. Learning that my biological parents had abandoned me left me feeling angry, bitter, and full of resentment. I couldn’t understand how a parent could walk away from their child and never return. The pain I felt led me down a destructive path. I turned to drugs and alcohol, hoping to numb the hurt. I was lost in my anger and confusion.
At 17, my adoptive mother, Ms. Bradley, learned that my biological mother was in town for her brother’s funeral. She insisted we go meet her, and that moment turned out to be a pivotal turning point in my life. My biological mother came to visit, and I confronted her with questions that had haunted me for years. “Where do you live?” I asked. “Upstate New York,” she replied. “Do you have any other children?” I inquired, and she said yes—three others. “Why didn’t you come back to see me? Why did you abandon me?” I demanded, my voice heavy with pain. The truth felt like an impossible weight to carry. I told her that I hated her and never wanted to see her again.
This encounter only deepened the anger, bitterness, and depression I was already struggling with. It led me further down a spiral of drugs, alcohol, and isolation. In a desperate attempt to escape my inner torment, I joined the military after high school. But even the structure and discipline of the military couldn’t keep me from spiraling. The death of my adoptive mother, Ms. Luvenia Bradley, in 1986 left me without the only love and support I had ever known, sinking me deeper into despair.
In 1988, I got married, but by 1991, my deployment to Desert Storm and the distance between us fractured that marriage. Returning from war in 1992, I found myself dealing with more pain and confusion. By 1997, my life took another devastating turn when I was robbed by a woman I had been engaged to. She took everything from me — my money, my possessions — and in my desperation for retribution, I retaliated in ways that landed me in jail.
But perhaps the hardest blow came months later when I received the news that my sister, Katherine Bradley, had passed away. She had been a source of strength and love in my life, someone who took on the role of both a big sister and a second mother. Her death, coupled with my time in jail, sent me into a spiral of guilt and self-hatred. I felt that my own actions had contributed to her passing, and I questioned my worth in this world.
But it was in that moment of deepest despair that something remarkable happened. I received a letter from my sister Katherine — the very same day she passed. The letter, written by her nurse, read: “If you don’t want to turn things around for yourself, then finish my life for me. You know what I stand for, and you know how much I love God.” That letter became a wake-up call. For the first time in my life, I prayed sincerely, asking God for help. I promised that I would honor my sister’s final request.
That prayer marked the beginning of my transformation. A few months later, the judge granted me probation and sent me to a treatment facility, the Travis House, for 90 days. It was there that I encountered the healing power of faith. Through church services held by the Freedom Church Christian Outreach Ministry, God began to reshape my heart and mind. I dedicated myself to serving in that ministry from 1998 to 2013, and in 2007, I was ordained as a minister.
During my time in the ministry, I served in various capacities, including as a pastor at locations such as the Austin Transition Center and Travis High School’s Community Ministry. In 2013, God gave me a vision to start Indeed Transitional Outreach Ministry. The mission was clear: to help those who had been broken, damaged, and defeated by life’s struggles—particularly men and women coming out of prison and those battling addiction—find hope, healing, and purpose.
Indeed Transitional Outreach Ministry focuses on helping individuals transition from incarceration, addiction, and past traumas to a life of freedom and productivity. Our goals include assisting with housing, employment, financial stability, restoring families, and providing recovery from both mental and physical addictions. More importantly, we strive to help people break through the internal walls built by unresolved issues, giving them the tools to become productive members of society.
I made a vow to God that when I was saved, I would devote my entire life to this cause. Every challenge I’ve faced, every setback I’ve endured, and every moment of darkness I’ve walked through has only strengthened my commitment to serving others and sharing the message of redemption and hope.
Today, I stand as a testament to the power of grace and the transformative strength of faith. My journey has not been easy, but it has been a journey of healing, growth, and purpose. And I know that the work I’m doing through Indeed Transitional Outreach Ministry is a direct result of the prayers I prayed all those years ago, the love I received from Ms. Luvenia Bradley, and the unwavering faith I have in God’s ability to restore and redeem even the most broken lives.
My story is one of resilience, but more importantly, it is a story of redemption — a story that I hope will inspire others to seek healing, embrace faith, and never give up on the possibility of change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road we travel is not an easy one. Every day presents a new set of challenges, both personally and professionally, as we work to fulfill our mission of supporting individuals in recovery. Personally, the daily battle to maintain sobriety is an ongoing struggle—one that requires immense focus, resilience, and a deep commitment to the purpose of our organization. Professionally, we face a continuous fight for the resources necessary to sustain and expand our services, which are crucial for the individuals we serve.
The need for financial resources to provide essential services—such as job placement, food, clothing, transportation, healthcare, medications, and mental health support—is ever-present. Our organization’s work is multifaceted, as we provide a lifeline for individuals in recovery not just through material support, but also through spiritual growth and personal development. These services are critical for individuals who are rebuilding their lives, but the ongoing financial strain threatens our ability to consistently meet these needs.
Each week, we work tirelessly to secure the funding that will allow us to provide these essential services to those who need them most. The demand for support continues to grow, but without consistent funding, our ability to serve our community is limited. The challenges we face are daunting, but the impact of our work—transforming lives, offering hope, and providing a path to recovery—drives us forward, even in the face of these obstacles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the heart of what we do is hope, and the belief that every person, no matter their past or circumstances, deserves a second chance. We are not just another outreach ministry — we are a family, and we are driven by a collective passion to change lives. Every step we take, every volunteer we inspire, every mentor we train is part of a mission to heal, to restore, and to uplift those who society has forgotten.
Our focus is Transitional Outreach Ministry, where we stand alongside those who are transitioning from prison and overcoming life’s greatest adversities. We are here to provide healing where it is needed most. For those who have been cast out, ignored, or judged by the world, we offer something priceless: grace, community, and love. We create an environment that is not just free of judgment, but filled with the peace of acceptance.
In our community, no one is alone. We provide not only spiritual solace but the tangible tools needed for a fresh start: resources, mentorship, education, and peer support. It’s not just about getting by — it’s about thriving. We don’t just help people survive; we help them transform their lives and build futures they once thought impossible.
But what truly sets us apart is the unwavering belief in the value of every single person we encounter. There’s no one who is beyond help, beyond grace. We’ve seen countless lives completely transformed — individuals who were once trapped in cycles of addiction and despair, now walking a path of empowerment and purpose. Some of them have even returned to the ministry, serving as mentors and volunteers, showing others what’s possible when hope meets action.
This isn’t just a ministry; this is a movement, and it’s one we are so incredibly proud to be a part of. We are here to change the narrative—not just for those who come through our doors, but for the entire community. We know that when one person rises, they bring the whole world with them.
We are passionate because we believe in the power of change. And we will continue to stand firm in our mission to support, to mentor, and to provide a place where all people, regardless of their past, can find the love and support they need to reclaim their lives.
Because every life matters. And we will fight, every single day, to make sure no one suffers the horrors of addiction, rejection, or despair alone.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Word of God, N/A Recovery Books and Materials. my favorite book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, Collaborations with Dynamic Companies and Outreach Programs, Leaders and Visionaries of Our Generation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://indeedchurch.com
- Facebook: Indeed Transitional Outreach Ministry
