Our Founder
Glenn “Cuz” Sandifer
The man behind the ministry…
The Story Behind Unforsaken Ministry
Growing up in a pastor’s home, I had a unique relationship with church. I often felt like I had a drug problem—not the kind you're probably thinking, but I was drug to church every time the doors were open, and sometimes when they weren’t. It felt like my life was sacrificed to the church. After high school, I was done with both church and Jesus. I was ready for a new life, and moving to Troy for college gave me the freedom I thought I wanted.
At first, it was exciting. Drinking, drugging, and partying became my new priorities. What I couldn’t find in church—acceptance, belonging, and purpose—I sought in that new freedom. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that this so-called “freedom” was, in fact, a trap. The more I partied, the more I lost control. I was in a downward spiral that I couldn’t escape, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was in control.
The years in college were chaotic. What started as fun turned into a lifestyle that consumed me. I flunked out of Troy, transferred to Auburn, and flunked out of there too. As my addiction deepened, I started selling drugs to maintain my supply. I even adopted an alias, probably saving me from getting arrested more times than I can count. Eventually, I hit rock bottom—no job, no car, and nowhere to live. I couch-surfed, then found empty frat houses during the holidays, just for a roof over my head. It was in this moment that I realized: this couldn’t be my life. I had to make a change.
I called my dad. It was one of the hardest calls I’ve ever made, but he agreed to let me come home—with one condition. I had three months to get my life together: find a job, a car, and a place to live. I knew he meant it, so I worked hard to turn things around. I did get a job, a car, and a place to live—but none of that healed the deeper need I had. I was still chasing the high, still living with the baggage of addiction.
Soon after, I met my wife. We got married and started a family. Having children slowed down my drug use, but it didn’t stop it. In 1991, we had our first child, and in 1994, our second. We started attending church again, but I was still living a double life. I was active in church but had not experienced true transformation. It wasn’t until March of 1995, during a revival service, that God truly got my attention. That night, I ran down the aisle, grabbed a pastor’s hand, and shouted, "I NEED JESUS."
That night, my life changed. I realized that God loved me despite all my mess, and soon after, I surrendered to ministry. My first full-time pastoral role was at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Gordo, Alabama. It was there that I met a man who had struggled with addiction for most of his life. Almost everyone I spoke with told me there was no hope for him, that he couldn’t be saved. But I knew better. If there was no hope for him, then we were all without hope. So I walked alongside him through relapse, recovery, and everything in between.
Through this journey, I discovered faith-based resources that were truly effective in helping those battling addiction. I learned that no one is beyond hope. That one experience led me down a path of ministering to those who felt forsaken, lost, or unlovable. I knew that with Christ, there is always hope.
In April 2022, God allowed me to pursue my heart's desire to minister to those struggling with addiction through Unforsaken Ministry. Three scripture passages helped inspire the name: the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), and the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Each of these people felt forsaken—lost, broken, and unworthy—until they met Jesus. These stories reminded me that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and grace.
Although Unforsaken Ministry had been a dream for nearly two decades, it was in 2022 that it truly became a reality. I am humbled and overwhelmed that God is allowing me to share His hope with so many people. It is an honor to walk alongside those who feel hopeless, to remind them that they are never forsaken by God.The story behind Unforsaken Ministry. Growing up in a pastor’s home I had a drug problem. I was drug to church every time the doors were open and sometimes when they weren’t open. I felt as though my life had been sacrificed to the church. Graduating from high school, I’d had enough church and Jesus for a lifetime. Moving to Troy, for college gave me the freedom I had been wanting. It wasn’t long before drinking, drugging and partying was the priority of my life. Where I felt abandoned, rejected and insignificant before moving to Troy, I found all three of those things in this new freedom. I believed this was the life I wanted and that I was in control. Little did I know I was giving up control and it would be many years before I regained control.
Assistant Executive Director
Maxwell Wright
Hope Through Christ…
Max’s journey to Unforsaken Ministry.
It’s hard to know what to write. Bios are supposed to represent “who I am”. And the truth is, I am a work in progress. Besides firmly knowing that I am a son of the Lord God Almighty and a disciple of Christ; much of who I am is unclear. My hope is that this letter will serve as a testimony to any who read it.
At an early age I felt a strong conviction that there was something I was born to do. Much of my life, though, I’ve thought that was in the corporate world…and as this was outside of the Lord’s plan for me, I never found any sort of fulfillment.
As a teenager I started a journey into addiction. And as an adult, while continuing to focus on my career, I fell deeper and deeper into that darkness. In November of 2024 I hit rock bottom. And though I always felt as if God was protecting me, until rock bottom, it seemed that I was doing my best to run from Him.
In December of 2024 I entered the recovery program at The Foundry Farm. I was exposed to an environment of love, God, and healing — an environment that took complete control of the parts of my life that I had lost. A process that rebuilt the foundation of being a positive contributor, and a man, ensued. Tools to understand past hurt, root causes, and spiritual health were graciously delivered on a daily basis. And in the most important way; space to establish a true connection with Christ was genuinely given.
In January 2025, I began to walk with the Lord. And in March I completely surrendered to Him. A new identity in Christ was formed and over the following months a call to ministry became evident. In pursuit of His will I enrolled in the Alabama Church of God Division of Education’s Calling and Ministry Studies (CAMS). This is a ministry formation process that results in credentialed ministry in the Church of God. I have completed the program, passed the Exhorter credentialing examination, and graduated in June of 2026. These studies will continue in the Fall of 2026, as I enter into the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP).
Matthew 6:33 teaches us “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” And as He promised, the Lord placed a beautiful woman of God in my life. A partner that also received a call to ministry. In November of 2025, Megan and I were married. Having both been delivered from addiction, we share a passion to help others that are struggling. Now we’ve connected our passion with our purpose to serve the Lord. And as we grow in our walk together, we continue to ask God for guidance into specific areas of ministry. Some doors He opens, and some He closes.
As Megan and I were starting our new life together we reached out to Brother Glenn and Unforsaken Ministry for assistance. The ministry graciously helped us get into a new home by supplementing our contribution to the first month’s rent and deposit. Unforsaken went the next mile and assisted us with our utility deposit and even purchased a new bed for our home! What a blessing…
In January of this year, Megan and I became members of Spirit Life Church Cullman’s leadership team and are facilitating the church’s recovery ministry. We host a Celebrate Recovery and worship service every Friday with an average attendance right around 150. In addition to the Spirit Life recovery ministry, our weeks are blessed with fulfilling “kingdom work”. We are involved with teaching and mentoring through multiple programs, serve as prayer team warriors with other ministry’s, facilitate online support groups for recovery program participants and graduates, and sharing testimonies & messages to church groups and programs.
This past April, the Lord put it on my heart to reach out to Brother Glenn… At this point I was working at a restaurant with every other Friday off. So I reached out to him and asked if I could “tag along” one Friday. And over the next couple months we ended up spending some time together, ministering to others…and each other! It was an answer to prayer, the Lord had opened a door.
Board of Directors
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Glenn Sandifer
FOUNDER
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David Hamilton
TREASURER
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Tina Graham
SECRETARY
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Megan Rhodes
Board Member
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Kole Rhodes
Board Member
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Dr. Charles Hoskins
Board Member
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Cameron Spain
Board Member