Healed by the Power of God: Eric Rainey’s Story
Anyone who spends time at Trinity Rescue Mission knows Eric Rainey. As one of the most dedicated men in our Men’s Lifeline program, Eric’s testimony is nothing short of miraculous. Born into a large family as one of four siblings in Macon, Georgia, he proved to be quite skilled at sports, following in the footsteps of his older brother who was a star athlete. His proficiency in basketball landed him a scholarship to play at the collegiate level, initially in Georgia but ultimately landing him in North Carolina. It was in North Carolina that he first began to fall into the temptation of drugs and alcohol. Before he knew it, his addictions controlled his life and put him down a path of difficulty, resulting in him leaving college and returning to Georgia.
Tragically, soon after, he lost his parents, which contributed to his falling further. This resulted in a serious situation with law enforcement that got him incarcerated. It was in prison that Eric began to see the positive power of God and surrounded himself with positive inmates. One older inmate, with a life sentence, influenced him to begin to pray. His initial prayers were pleas to God, asking for a way out of this life he was living. God heard these prayers, and after his release, he came to Jacksonville to get away from the troubles of his past. He managed to build a solid foundation here, including a home and a relationship. Unfortunately, his former habits returned, and he lost control, losing much of what he had gained including his house and fiancé. It was at this time that Eric first became homeless and found himself on the streets.
On May 30, 2024, Eric was involved in a car accident that left him in a coma for a month and a half. His medical prognosis was that he would be paralyzed from the neck down. As he endured this situation, he turned to God. Waking up one Sunday, he asked the Lord for His help and promised to devote his life to the Lord if He would only help him. As he finished his prayer, God extended his healing touch, and Eric’s right finger began to move. He rehabilitated himself from nearly total paralysis to being in a wheelchair with upper body usage but no use of his legs. Over time, including a return to Macon and then back to Jacksonville to attempt to repair past relationships, God continued to move in Eric and led him to Trinity Rescue Mission. Although it was not his intention, he soon decided to stay after he felt the amazing presence of God. His time here led to such an increase in faith and determination that the miracles continued to happen, and he progressed from wheelchair to walker to cane, to needing no assistance at all and walking on his own.
Now, the Holy Spirit overflows from Eric’s life. God had revealed to him that he had to surrender and have faith which gave him purpose and identity. He healed him fully, emptying him of the negative in his life and leaving positivity and purpose. He now serves as one of the primary Lifeline leaders of Trinity Rescue Mission, giving back to those who are deep in homelessness. God has clearly worked true miracles in his life, and he works hard to pay that forward by witnessing to others, praising God for all He has done, and thanking God for his healing hand.
