A Soldier’s Journey to Purpose

 

In 1955, a quiet movement of healing and hospitality began in Anderson, Indiana—one that would go on to impact thousands of lives. It started with a soldier who came home from war and found himself in a personal battle that many veterans face.

 

After returning from World War II, Lloyd Lambert struggled deeply. Alcoholism had taken its toll. He was hurting, directionless, and broken. But in the midst of his pain, he was offered something that changed everything: new life through Christ. He accepted it wholeheartedly, and began the slow, faithful journey of recovery, forgiveness, and restoration.

 

Lloyd soon married Dorothy, and together they started a family. But their family didn’t stop with children—it grew into a ministry.

 

When Ministry Begins Upstairs

 

In 1955, Lloyd and Dorothy opened their hearts and home to men who were hurting, hungry, and homeless. They converted the upstairs of their 14-room home into a safe place for men in need, while they lived in the basement.

 

This act of hospitality was the seed that would grow into The Christian Center. From those humble beginnings, a ministry was born—one committed to restoring lives through shelter, meals, support, and the hope of Christ.

 

A Community Answers the Call

 

As Lloyd shared his story of redemption, others listened. His honesty resonated across Anderson, and soon he had the moral and financial support of people from every corner of the community.

 

In the early 1970s, several buildings were donated, formally establishing The Christian Center as an institution. Those same buildings still stand today:

 

• The Red Door Vintage & Thrift Shop, where donations help fund the mission
• A 70-bed dormitory serving men in need
• A community dining room, now serving over 125,000 meals annually

 

"… And the Lord sets the prisoners free."

 

Lloyd had a particular heart for men coming out of incarceration—men who, like him, needed a second chance. He believed in their potential, not just their past. That vision lives on in our Men’s Program today, where we continue to walk alongside men reentering society with dignity and structure.

 

Whether someone is battling addiction, recovering from trauma, or simply out of options, our team meets them with compassion—and with the unwavering belief that God still transforms lives.

 

Because that’s how this place started.

 

A Legacy That Still Lives

 

Every part of The Christian Center reflects Lloyd’s testimony: from the bunkbeds in our dormitory to the meals served in our kitchen. His legacy reminds us that healing begins now, no matter how long the road has been or how broken the pieces feel.

 

One life turned around. One home opened up. One story that sparked a mission.

 

And we’re still telling it.