Not because people earn it. Because God offers it. We walk alongside men in crisis — through discipleship, authentic community, and meaningful work — toward lives fully restored.
"This is more than a place to recover. It is a place to begin again."
Every day, men come to Timothy Initiative searching for hope — from addiction, incarceration, homelessness, and broken relationships. Many arrive believing their story is already finished.
Through Christ-centered discipleship, authentic community, and meaningful work, we provide an environment where lives are restored and new stories begin.
Restoration is not a program. It is a process — one that requires truth, community, purpose, and the gospel working together in a man's life.
The gospel is the foundation of every relationship and decision. Restoration begins and ends with Christ.
Men heal in relationship. Our residential model creates accountability, brotherhood, and genuine belonging.
Meaningful labor restores dignity. Through Restored Farm, men rediscover purpose through honest work.
We hold hope for men even when they cannot. No past is too broken. Every man deserves a new beginning.
Restored Farm is a hands-on extension of Timothy Initiative’s Christ-centered restoration model, where meaningful work becomes part of the rebuilding process.
Through farming, animal care, and daily responsibility, men begin practicing the discipline, stewardship, and consistency needed for lasting restoration.
Explore Restored Farm"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
Your donation funds housing, meals, discipleship, and Restored Farm — directly changing lives every single day.
Donate NowFrom mentoring to farm work — your time can change the trajectory of a man's story.
Learn MoreKnow a man who needs restoration? We welcome men who are ready to rebuild their lives in Christ.
Get in TouchRestoration is not theory here. It has a voice, a name, and a story. Listen to Timothy Initiative participants as they share the moments God used to rebuild faith, restore purpose, and turn survival into a life worth living again.
Listen to Stories →Timothy Initiative is guided by leaders who believe every life has immeasurable value. Our staff and Board of Directors steward this ministry with humility, integrity, compassion, and a shared commitment to helping men experience lasting restoration through Jesus Christ.
Brad Ewert leads the Timothy Initiative with business discipline, biblical wisdom, and a shepherd's heart for men seeking freedom from addiction. A respected leader in the South Tampa community and an active member of Radiant Church, Brad brings strong local connection, spiritual conviction, and practical leadership to the ministry.
Before stepping into full-time ministry leadership, Brad built a career in accounting and finance — giving him a strong foundation in stewardship, organizational leadership, and sustainable growth. He first joined the Timothy Initiative as a board member in 2023 and transitioned into the full-time role of Executive Director in April 2025 after sensing God's clear call on his life.
An ordained pastor, Brad's life and leadership are rooted in his love for God and his passion for seeing men restored through Christ. Having experienced God's transforming power in his own life, Brad understands that lasting freedom is not just about sobriety — it is about healing, responsibility, brotherhood, purpose, and becoming the man God created each person to be.
In the spirit of 2 Timothy 2:2, Brad believes restored men can become faithful men — equipped, strengthened, and ready to help others walk in truth. Under his leadership, the Timothy Initiative has entered a new season of stability, growth, and impact.
One of Brad's most significant initiatives has been the launch of Restored Farm — a 10-acre working farm built as a hands-on extension of the ministry's restoration model. Brad's greatest joy is seeing men move from brokenness to hope, from isolation to brotherhood, and from survival into lives marked by faith, purpose, and freedom in Christ.
Jeremy is the Recovery Homes Manager at the Timothy Initiative, overseeing daily operations, resident accountability, and weekly house meetings. He provides one-on-one support to men in recovery while also assisting with the ministry's administrative needs.
Raised in Denver, he spent 15 years leading customer service teams before relocating to Florida eight years ago. For the past seven years, Jeremy has invested his leadership experience and heart for service into the mission of the Timothy Initiative. He is the proud father of two children, ages 33 and 28.
Luz Cárdenas serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives & Brand Development for Timothy Initiative, supporting executive leadership and helping advance the ministry's mission through strategy, storytelling, brand development, donor engagement, partnerships, communications, and organizational growth.
An award-winning strategist, communications executive, and entrepreneur, Luz brings decades of experience across government, nonprofit, corporate, and entrepreneurial sectors. She helps organizations clarify their message, strengthen their visibility, build trust, and move mission-driven work forward with excellence and purpose.
At Timothy Initiative, Luz helps steward the ministry's brand, communications, fundraising initiatives, community outreach, digital presence, marketing efforts, and special projects in alignment with the organization's leadership and vision. For Luz, this work is more than a role — it is a calling to use her gifts in service of restoration, healing, and hope.
Shawn Eckley is devoted to helping men lead with faith, purpose, and clarity. Born and raised in Tampa, Shawn brings decades of leadership, mentorship, and real-world experience to his work with men.
He is a certified chaplain and coaching minister through the Christian Leadership Institute, as well as a certified neuroscience coach, helping others understand practical, brain-based strategies for growth, healing, and change. With more than 30 years in the banking industry and 10 years coaching high school soccer, Shawn has spent much of his life guiding, encouraging, and developing others.
Through personal loss and seasons of struggle in both business and life, Shawn was drawn into a deeper relationship with God. Those experiences shaped a transformational journey of healing, forgiveness, and learning to abide daily in Christ.
Grounded in Scripture and shaped by compassion, Shawn is passionate about equipping men to grow spiritually, lead their families well, and navigate life's challenges with a Christ-centered mindset. His guiding verses, Psalm 23 and Jeremiah 29:11, reflect his belief in God's faithful presence, restoration, and purpose — even in life's valleys.
Michael serves as Program Director at the Timothy Initiative, overseeing program operations and accountability. He develops the recovery curriculum, mentors men one-on-one, and directs daily structure in the homes — including intakes, reviews, and coordination with partner facilities.
Mike first came to the Timothy Initiative on May 15, 2015, where he experienced radical life change and found new life in Jesus Christ. More than ten years sober, he joined the staff in 2017 and has since devoted his work to helping men encounter God, break free from addiction, and pursue lasting transformation.
Madison Plath serves as Executive Assistant for The Timothy Initiative, supporting leadership, ministry operations, special events, and administrative functions with excellence and care.
With a background in event planning and project management, Madison brings organization, attention to detail, and a servant's heart to her work. She helps coordinate the behind-the-scenes details that allow the ministry to operate smoothly, support its team effectively, and create space for lives to be transformed.
Madison believes faithful service plays an important role in helping others experience the love of Christ. For her, serving at TI is both a calling and a privilege as she uses her gifts to support a ministry offering lasting hope through Christ-centered recovery.
Ernie has over 30 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industry. His background spans several disciplines, from sales leadership roles to CMO roles, and most recently as co-founder of a co-location company, which was recently sold.
He and his wife Samantha and their family have made Tampa their home for over 15 years.
“My focus has been on issues that matter most to me and our family regarding addiction. It impacts the family’s well-being tremendously. Bringing this focus with my faith as an integral healing process for my family — I was blessed with an opportunity to contribute through TI. This is my journey to pave a forward path with God and Christ as my shining light.”
Mr. Maddux is a board-certified criminal trial lawyer who also practices personal injury and civil rights litigation. In his nearly 30 years of practice, he’s had the good fortune of helping Timothy Initiative men surmount legal hurdles.
His love of Jesus inspires him to help bring “freedom to the captives.” Whether it be men struggling with homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges, we are called to serve. For Michael, TI provides a powerful way to make a difference.
You can learn more about Michael at his firm’s website, madduxattorneys.com.
Dan has spent his entire career, post grad school, in commercial and corporate banking. He currently serves as the Middle Market Leader for the State of Florida for SouthState Bank. Dan has previously served as Treasurer for other organizations prior to joining the Board.
He and his wife have a thirteen-year-old daughter and a ten-year-old son, and reside in South Tampa.
Dan is passionate about helping the Timothy Initiative scale and thrive so that it can reach more members of the community. He believes in the message and the power of the Gospel to help people restore their lives in Christ.
Born and raised in Pinellas County and now residing in Tampa, Chris Curran brings a strong local understanding to his role as a board member with the Timothy Initiative.
Chris has built a successful real estate career defined by passion, honesty, and integrity — from institutional acquisitions to his current work with The Paul DeSantis Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Still, his commitment to the Timothy Initiative is deeply personal.
Having witnessed his sister’s struggles with addiction, Chris is driven by a profound desire to see men find hope and recovery.
Alex MacKinnon serves on the Board of Directors for the Timothy Initiative, bringing decades of executive leadership, business ownership, and faith-driven wisdom to the ministry.
A Tampa Bay business leader, Alex graduated from Florida State University in 1986 and began his career on Wall Street before joining his family’s heavy machinery business, MacKinnon Equipment, where he eventually served as president. After selling the company in 2017, Alex transitioned into executive coaching and now serves as owner and Principal Chair of C12 Tampa Bay, a Christian CEO and executive advisory organization.
Through his work with C12, Alex helps business leaders integrate faith, strategy, accountability, and excellence in the marketplace. He brings to TI a strong background in leadership, stewardship, and Christ-centered counsel as the ministry continues to grow its mission of restoration and transformation.
Dr. Doug Ley (ThM, DMin) is the president of Serving Beyond Borders, an Evangelical, Spirit-filled ministry that seeks to empower cross-cultural workers and nationals to glorify God by making disciples who make disciples.
Doug has 33 years of full-time ministry experience living both nationally and overseas as a pastor and seminary professor. He currently serves internationally working in theological and leadership training, and when he is not traveling, also serves a thriving local Tampa church.
Pastor Paula Ley (BTh) comes to the Timothy Initiative with a diverse ministry background, having led various ministries around the globe for the past 33 years. Her greatest passion, other than making disciples, is helping kingdom-minded organizations be all they can be to build up God’s body for God’s glory.
Paula currently serves on the Senior Leadership Team at Radiant Church, as well as ministering alongside her husband, Doug, with Serving Beyond Borders.
