The Savvy Mag November 2021 by VIP Magazine

CORBETT STONE

Associate Pastor & Director of Reformers Unanimous at Florence Baptist Temple

WrittenbyHeatherPage|PhotographybyFredSalley

The saying goes, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” This quote is a reminder that we can’t know someone else’s journey without personally experiencing it. When we’re faced with individual struggles, whether it be family, work, or outside influences, we tend to find people that are experiencing similar issues to grasp hold of. Corbett Stone, a former addict, now serves as the Associate Pastor and Director of Reformers Unanimous at Florence Baptist Temple. While his journey to get to this season of life was tumultuous, the testimony Corbett is able to provide to addicts and those recovering is heartfelt and wildly relatable.

Like many young people, Corbett’s addiction to alcohol and drugs began as a search for acceptance from his peers. “I was thirteen years old when I first smoked a cigarette, drank a beer, and smoked marijuana. And I tried them all for the first time within the same week!” By sophomore year, Corbett was an everyday user of marijuana and would binge drink on the weekends. He also began experimenting with inhalants and hallucinogens. Corbett went on to try cocaine and as a junior, in college, he tried crack cocaine.

“After my third time using crack cocaine, I had what they call the ‘shell hit’ that rocked my world,” Corbett explains. “I immediately quit drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana to focus all of my time and money on crack cocaine.” Throughout this lifestyle, Corbett managed to hold a job. He was well-mannered, well-dressed, and well-educated. His peers that knew him from work and church, couldn’t imagine the man he turned into outside of their presence. Corbett shares, “Believe it or not, I began to faithfully attend church approximately the same time I began my life of drugs and alcohol. I know it sounds hypocritical – Because it is. I went to church as a boy to please my parents and later on as an adult to please my wife. I went to church services three times a week and lived like hell the rest of the time.” But as Corbett’s life spiraled out of control, God had a different plan for him.

At twenty-seven years old, Corbett landed himself in jail after a five-day crack binge sent him on a crime spree. “The day I was arrested was the best day of my life.” He finally realized his life was out of control and cried out to God for help. “God heard my cry and opened a door for me to get out of jail and go to a year-long Christ-centered addictions program,” he said. “It was in that program that I realized the peace and joy I had been searching for in the drugs was to be found in a personal daily relationship with Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for God’s mercy and grace in my life; it has motivated me to work with others that are struggling with the bondage of addiction.”

After graduating from the addiction program, Corbett came back to Florence and began attending and serving at Florence Baptist Temple. After Corbett spoke with Pastor Bill Monroe

NOVEMBER

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS Reformers Unanimous Prg, FBT 9a

Reformers Unanimous Prg, FBT 9a Carolina Trading Post Christmas Open House FSO presents “Pines of Rome”, FMU PAC 7:30p

Jingle Bell Market, Flo Center 10a-5p Come To The Manger Navity Exhibit, St. Anne Catholic Church

12:30p-5:30p Reformers Unanimous Prg, FBT 9a

Reformers Unanimous Prg, FBT 9a

ELECTION DAY! Musician’s Night, Dizzy Crab 7:30p Trivia, Seminar Brewing

FMU Concert Choir, Voice and Strings, FMU PAC 7:30p Pretty N Bliss ‘Shop Local’ Pre Black Friday Event 4p-8p Trivia, Seminar Brewing

*Due to COVID-19, some event dates may change.

GIVING TUESDAY Lighthouse Ministries Giving Tuesday Benefit, DYI Place 3p-7pm Growing Hobby: Terrarium Christmas Ornaments, PD State Farmers Market 5:45p Visit www.THESAVVYMAG.com for more information on these City Center Farmers Market, Downtown Every Tuesday 4p-7p

Florence “Murder Orient

NOVEMBER

Brewing 7p

Goosie Gander Holiday Premier CM Oyster Roast, Flo County Museum 6:30p

Florence Veterans Day Ceremony, Florence Veteran’s Park 11a McLeod Health Job Fair 3p-7p

Goosie Gander Holiday Premier First Fridays Florence, Downtown 5:30p Reformers Unanimous Prg, FBT 7p

Yelodrama, Southern Hops 7p Reformers Unanimous Prg, FBT 7p

“Murder on the Orient Express” starts, Florence Little Theatre 7:30p Carolina Trading Post

Christmas Open House

Come To The Manger Navity Exhibit, St. Anne Catholic Church 9a-6:30p

Jingle Bell Market, Flo Center 11a-7p

Goosie Gander Holiday Premier Bike and Run Like a Nut Races, Downtown 8a

SC Pecan Music + Food Festival, Downtown Newsboys: Step into the Light Tour, Florence Center 7p

One2One Ladies’ Breakfast FREE, 1013 S Ebenezer Rd 9a-11a Veteran’s Car, Truck & Bike Show, Flo Veteran’s Park 9a Deﬁning Measures, FMU PAC 6p Carolina Trading Post Christmas Open House