Bert is a man on a mission! Bert endured a lot growing up, with an incessant amount of abuse he quickly became product of his environment. At a young age he learned to use drugs, sex, money, violence, and gang affiliation to escape the hurt and numb the pain. In his teenage years, his “thuggish” persona, and this constant quench to kill his thirst for ill-gotten gain/street cred led him down a very dark path of committing many criminal acts. Those criminal acts eventually caught up with him and he found himself in the confines of a prison cell. A lot of people thought all hope was lost for Bert but during his 18 years of incarceration, he experienced a radical transformation of his heart through a prison ministry. That ministry introduced him to the love of the father and gave him a new lease on life. Against all odds since his release and transition, Bert has been discharged from parole, maintained his sobriety, stayed faithful to God, is a present and loving father to his children, a productive and contributing member of society and to the church. He worked as a Program Director at a 3/4 Sober Living House, Street Outreach Pastor for The ARK Church, Bethany Full Gospel Church, Student Mentor for King Elementary and their After School Enrichment Programs, a partner with DMPD for At Risk Youth Programs, an active member of Help DSM; in alliance of citywide Pastors, Christian leaders, and nonprofit change agent. This provides accountability and transparency for all partners and contributors involved.

Bert started Thugging To Loving to reach at risk youth (a generation considered to be exclusively hard to connect with), the homeless, drug addicts, gang members, convicts, and anyone he comes in contact with that is without hope. With his past trials and tribulations, Bert can meet these people where they are and relate to them like no one else can. TTL wants everyone to succeed, have joy, feel loved and find the calling that God has on their life.

Please prayerfully consider partnering with Thugging To Loving to help us save these broken souls and give them hope!