South-central El Paso ministry provides help for addicts

If you’re driving east on Paisano Drive chances are you’ll miss it.

The modest tan building, which is home to the Victory Ministry or “Ministerio en Victoria”, is tucked behind a gas station.

But this building is home to a community that is helping drug addicts recover.

“The idea or the purpose was to help the drug addicts, the alcoholics. and whoever is homeless — they don’t have a place to stay,” pastor and founder Jesus Moreno said. “At one time in my life, I was lost. i was strung out on heroin, cocaine.”

Moreno opened the ministry close to 20 years ago. He said his doors are open 24/7, and he will welcome anyone who needs help with a meal and a place to sleep.

“It is the work of God, that gave us a desire to help those guys who are struggling on the streets, because of the drugs,” Moreno said.

Jonathan Vega delivered his first sermon on Sunday. Eight months ago he said his life was in shambles.

“I became a drug addict. I started snorting cocaine. I started popping Xanax, and i started mixing Xanax with alcohol. I started blacking out,” Vega said. “I started robbing, I started stealing.”

Vega said his uncle urged him to go to the church. He said his faith has helped him stay sober.

“I shouldn’t be here, I could’ve died multiple times,” Vega said. “I made [my family] push me away. My actions led them to push me away, but now they’re here. Now those doors have opened once again.”

Two months ago, Jose Mata said he was lost due to drugs and alcohol. He made his way to the ministry after reading a flyer. Mata said he is now clean and wanting to help others in need.

“My family didn’t want me there anymore but thank God for this place, for this ministry that he opened the doors,” Mata said.

The Victory Ministry is located at 1414 E. Paisano, and its doors are open 24/7.