VICTORY HOME - Key Persons
Ben is a native of Habersham County and has been volunteering at Victory Home since 2010. He earned a Masters of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.
He has been serving as the pastor of Hunter's Creek Baptist Church in Toccoa, GA since 2007. Ben loves to teach the men that Christ offers them HOPE in the midst of darkness and a BETTER LIFE moving forward!
My parents were both country doctors and I don't remember a time when I didn't want to be a physician. After receiving a BS in Zoology from Clemson University, I earned my medical degree from Bowman Gray School of Medicine (now known as Wake Forest Medical School). I continued my training in the Family Medicine Residency program at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.
After years of private practice in Atlanta as well as volunteer work at the Good Samaritan, I practiced medicine in Clayton, GA. I retired in 2017 and began volunteering at Victory Home in early 2018. It has been amazing to see the hand of God healing men with substance abuse disorders. Working with the clients here is an honor. I appreciate being a part of the partnership that helps these men heal in mind, body and soul.
Job Titles:
- Certified Addictions Counselor
Kevin joined Victory Home in November of 2020. He began Christ-centered recovery ministry in 1986 with Dunklin Memorial Camp where he received his initial Christ-centered recovery training and his ordination in Ministry. For more than 30 years, Kevin has served and directed multiple ministries and programs in Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi, working with adults and adolescent, married couples, and families.
Kevin holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Southwest Bible College and Seminary, a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor, and is certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He has been married for 29 years to his lovely wife, Amanda. They are the loving parents of three grown children, Andrew, Matthew, and Ryan, a wonderful daughter-in-law, Chelsie, and proud grandparents of three grandchildren, Damon, Emmalyn, and Oliver.
Kirby Patterson is a Victory Home graduate who entered Victory Home's six-month servant leadership program after completing the program. Kirby's life purpose is centered on serving the Lord and using his acquired experience and knowledge to assist others facing challenges. He answered this call when he accepted a staff position following the completion of the servant leadership training.
Kirby holds an Associate degree in Science from Young Harris College, a bachelor's degree in history from Augusta State University, and a master's degree in Middle Grades Education from Piedmont College.
Mark is an Army veteran and served in Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Mark felt God's call into ministry through Christian counseling and began attending Liberty University in 2009. Mark graduated with honors, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology: Christian Counseling, and went on to receive his Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Mark began his counseling career in 2016 when he came to Victory Home to fulfill his graduation requirement as an intern. Before completing his internship, Mark became a full-time counselor on Victory Home's staff. In 2020 Mark became the interim executive director and in January 2021 became the full-time director.
Job Titles:
- Peer Recovery Specialist
- Specialist
Wayne Cook is a dedicated professional with over 16 years of experience in ministry and social work. He began his career at the Atlanta Mission Downtown Atlanta, where he held various roles such as Assistant Social Worker, Intake Coordinator, Case Manager, and Client Advocate for a period of 10 years.
Currently, Wayne serves as a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, finding fulfillment in his role as a calling rather than just a job. He is motivated by the impact he can have on individuals' lives and is committed to their well-being. In addition to his extensive experience in the field, Wayne also brings valuable knowledge from his 8-year service in the Navy and his completion of all requirements for his addiction counseling certification.