David Roten

David Roten

David Roten is a retired FedEx driver who has lived in the Newton/Morgan/Walton county area for the past 11 years. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he now shares a small farm near Social Circle with his wife, two dogs, five cats and three horses–as well as the occasional, transient armadillo. He finds inspiration, both to write and to live, in Jesus and in the extraordinary stories of "ordinary" people. He loves music and the outdoors and Georgia Bulldog football.

Chain Breakers

Atlanta Redemption Ink harnesses the talents of area tattoo artists to summon hope, recovery and transformation for sex trafficking survivors, former gang members and those in the midst of self-harm

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Pathway to Peace

Celebrate Recovery, in its 20th year of existence, continues to offer hope and life change for those suffering from addiction, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and a variety of other maladies often swept aside by society.

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Out of the Ashes

The Zimmermans lost their home of 13 years to a fire one week before Christmas in 2010. Even as the rubble smoldered, a close-knit Newborn community rallied around the family of eight and provided hope where it was so desperately needed.

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They Call Me Mr. Jack

Jack Simpson served under legendary FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and was assigned to several historic cases during his remarkable law enforcement career, including the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Now 96, he still reports to work three days a week as an investigator with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

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Voices for the Voiceless

Having experienced the devastating loss of two special-needs children, the Hopkins family has set out to eliminate the stigma surrounding marijuana and bring to light its potential medical benefits.

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Sacred Ground

Frederich L. Johnson for more than a decade has made it his mission to reclaim abandoned cemeteries in Newton County, preserving history with annual cleanups in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday.

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An Old Life Made New

Jeremy Houston credits the Celebrate Recovery program at Eastridge Community Church with rescuing him from substance abuse and the dead end that often accompanies it.

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On the Wings of the Wind

With steps now being taken to add monarch butterflies to the Endangered Species List due to habitat loss and other factors, Connie and David Waller have made conservation efforts involving the beautiful but complex pollinators a life’s mission.

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