Joliet native embodies the life healing that Pathway Ministries offers

PEORIA—Donald Noordhof embodies the three phases of life reclamation that Pathway Ministries offers.

The 38-year-old Joliet native landed at the Peoria ministry in October 2022, ostensibly seeking help but also seeking a way to soften an impending prison sentence stemming from alcohol abuse. He accomplished that, but in the process, he ended up in a relationship with Jesus Christ with a sobriety bonus and a future as an operating engineer.

That’s the path that Pathway Ministries emphasizes—crisis, transformation, transition—and one of the reasons it officially changed its name from Peoria Rescue Ministries in January, said Jonathan Rocke, Pathway executive director.

Noordhof knows the path well.

Embroiled in an alcoholic lifestyle, unable to keep a stable relationship, Noordhof was struggling with getting sober and maintaining healthy relationships.

“I was following more of the white-knuckling way of trying to fix things,” he said. “I got into a relationship, and then the relationship hit the wall, and I’m like, ‘One beer won’t hurt.’ I was burning bridges, especially when I would go to rehab and then fall out, people would kind of throw up their hands at that point.”

At one point he tore his ACL and, unable to work, he spent his downtime scrolling on his phone and drinking, ultimately landing in front of a judge for earlier actions of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

“My father told me about this place and at that point, I was just thinking, ‘How can I make it look good to the judge?’” Noordhof said.

After a few detours, including attempted suicide, he ended up back at Pathway, knowing he needed to make a serious change in his life.

“What really stood out and resonated with me was the kindness and care everybody here has,” Noordhof said.

Thanks to Pathway, he was helped through the crisis period of finding a stable place to stay. Then, the transformation began through classes, counseling, Celebrate Recovery meetings, and various work and volunteer details. At Pathway, he was helped by leaders in the ministry, including Executive Assistant Martha Steffen, who he said was and is another mentor for him.

He graduated from Pathway’s nine-month program in August 2023.

Now, Noordhof is at Pathway’s 1212 Community House, a transitional residence for men on Southwest Adams Street. There, he lives with structure, adhering to a budget and solidifying other life responsibilities as he prepares to be on his own in the community again.

His goal right now is to get an operating engineer’s apprenticeship so he can start operating heavy machinery and then go “wherever God places me from there.”

His days of inebriation and hopelessness are behind him.

“Jesus has taken that thorn from my side,” Don said.