A Message From Troy

October 2025

Dear Friend,

Hope is not a strategy. Simply longing for things to be different changes nothing.

Have you ever said, “I hope I can change” or “I hope things will be different”? While these statements express a desire, desire alone is powerless to change anything. The truth is, that kind of hope often disappoints. Wanting something to be better and actually experiencing transformation that fills me with hope are two very different things.

This month at HopeQuest, we’ve been inviting our HopeQuest community to share what hope means to them. I define hope as a confident expectation of God’s presence and promises, rooted in His faithfulness rather than wishful thinking. My favorite definition is the one Melissa shared: Hope is the energy produced by my faith in God that anchors me through the challenges of life.

Hope is so much more than wishful thinking or the result of hard work. Hope that flows from trust in God has the power to make a real difference in our lives. Real hope changes everything. Real hope writes new chapters. Real hope sets us free, restores our hearts, and moves us toward wholehearted living.

HOPE DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN. IT'S BUILT.

Here is the biggest truth of all: Hope doesn’t just happen. It’s built. And it’s built through intentional effort in a few specific ways:

Listening to God: The more I pay attention to what He is saying and how He is leading me, the more hope I experience.
Facing Our Past: Nothing blocks hope more than the lies we believe and the patterns we follow from our past, especially those shaped by trauma.
Community: Connecting with others is the secret sauce of hope. Alone, it’s easy to feel hopeless; but authentic connection with others brings a hopeful perspective.
Investment: Nothing good comes without investing time and effort into seeking hope. Simply wishing things would change does nothing. Actions move us toward confident expectation.
Generosity: Generosity doesn’t bring hope to us but allows us to join God in bringing hope to others.

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

– Romans 15:13 (NLT)

At HopeQuest, we exist to help men and their families impacted by addiction experience God’s plan for freedom and hope. This doesn’t just happen. We need people like you to help us build hope. Please visit our website to learn how you can share hope with others.

With gratitude and hope,

Troy Haas
Chief Executive Officer
The HopeQuest Ministry Group