OUR STORY
At its heart, TruSoba / [The Refuge Group]
has always been called to the people of Isaiah 61:
the addicted, the abandoned, the abused,
and those who faithfully minister to them.
Jesus went to the people of Isaiah 61:
those who are poor
those who are brokenhearted
those in darkness
those in captivity
those who mourn.
These people, whose lives were devastated,
had lost hope. But God urges us to proclaim
His freedom and bestow His favor on those
in despair, in order to reclaim these lives for Him...
so they may thrive, not merely survive.
THE EARLY YEARS
TruSoba was founded to help men and women who have lost all hope defeat substance abuse and to see their lives transformed by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. An innovative Sober Living Community was established in Jacksonville Beach, Florida consisting of six sober residences, programs and curriculums for long term sobriety and life experiences that truly changed many lives. Ongoing relationships continue with those celebrating as many as 12+ years of sobriety now and it is rewarding to see families restored and lives transformed and renewed.
FOOD MINISTRY
As a component of the Recovery Program, residents were required to serve others as a means to get out of their own heads and self focus and help others and begin to see lives they could indeed help. Block Parties with cookouts and entertainment featuring DJ Carl Allen with The Jesus Bus were thrown monthly in underserved urban communities as well as development and management of Big John's Food Pantry was established to help those in recovery and the homeless supplement and provide healthy food options to many. Alumni who contact us afterwards describe this as one of their favorite parts of TruSoba.
Though the residences have closed and seasons have changed TruSoba continues to serve weekly in Food Ministry. For over 12 years we have worked in partnership with Trader Joes and Publix to provide 'shares' to the recovery, homeless and underprivileged communities.




