Deryl Taylor’s Story

I grew up in a deeply dysfunctional home, one of five children. My father was abusive and controlling, and my mother struggled with alcoholism. Violence and chaos were part of my daily life. My father, an atheist, openly rejected faith, but even as a young child, I felt drawn to something greater. At just three years old, I was found running toward a neighborhood church, where the pastor welcomed me inside. That moment marked the beginning of my lifelong awareness of God’s presence.

When I was seven, my mother left our family and tragically passed away a year later. Life at home became unbearable. By the age of 12, I made the decision to leave. I entered the juvenile justice system and was eventually placed in temporary foster care. I ran away and made my way to Florida with an older foster child. We struggled to survive, selling plasma for money, and eventually, I ended up in jail since they had no juvenile facility in South Georgia. From there, I was transferred to a juvenile facility in Atlanta and later placed in the Georgia Christian Children’s Home, where I lived for three years and attended a Christian school supported by the Church of Christ.

My father later re-entered my life and convinced me to return home. Unfortunately, nothing had changed, and I soon ran away again, this time heading to Atlanta, where I briefly tried out for Star Search. I spent several months homeless, living under bridges and doing odd jobs just to eat.

At 16, I met the mother of my first children. We had three children and were together for eight years. I later entered other relationships, married, and had more children. One of my children passed away from liver disease during COVID. I played in the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame from 1994 through 1996, voted “Future Star” and performed in the 1996 Olympics. I led a full musical life and had a DJ/Karaoke business for 22 years in Atlanta, FL.

In 2018, I got married again and made the decision to sell my house to travel. However, poor decisions and unfortunate circumstances left me without money, and eventually, I found myself alone again, living in an RV. I faced betrayal and loss. I found myself abandoned again in Clearwater, Florida, and later made my way north, only to be redirected by police to a homeless shelter in Tampa. I helped with finances at the Tampa Shelter during the COVID years.

After more hardship and another failed relationship, I came to Panama City, Florida, where I was introduced to the Panama City Rescue Mission. This has been a turning point in my life.

Since arriving at the Rescue Mission, I’ve rededicated my life to Christ. I’ve found stability, community, and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, I proudly serve as the House Dad at the Men’s Facility, offering support and encouragement to others walking difficult roads like mine. I’ve also invested in karaoke equipment and am working toward launching my own entertainment business—a dream born from my lifelong love of music.

My journey has been long and painful, but through faith, resilience, and the support of the Panama City Rescue Mission, I’ve found hope again. I am living proof that no matter how broken your past, healing and transformation are always possible.