The saying “you can never go home again” doesn’t apply to Texas Baptist Children’s Home alum Chris Sawey. In fact, he’s come home several times, each time welcomed with open arms and unwavering faith by those he calls family – the staff and kids at TBCH. 

Now, as he prepares to set out on his longest journey thus far, Chris is taking all the lessons and all the love he has acquired over the years with him – as well as a firm sense of God’s direction for his life. 

In and out of children’s homes since he was a young child, Chris finally found his place when he landed at TBCH as a fifth grader. After high school, he stayed in an Independent Living apartment on campus, then attended Mary Hardin-Baylor for a year before returning to Independent Living Program.
 Back on campus, Chris felt stifled. 

“I kind of thought I knew it all and didn’t like the rules; I wanted to make my own,” he admitted. “So, I moved out.” 

Living on his own, Chris started waiting tables at various restaurants, rented an Austin apartment with a roommate and began spending a lot of money. When the roommate moved out, Chris could no longer afford to pay for his lifestyle. He lost his job and soon was wandering and homeless, living out of his car. 

“That was a low point,” Chris said. “I started asking myself what I really wanted out of life and out of myself.” 

Hat in hand, Chris asked TBCH Executive Director Keith Dyer for one more chance. If he could live in Independent Living once again, he would do it right this time, he told him. Keith readily agreed. 

“You never really leave TBCH,” Keith said. “We are here for them as long as they need us, and that means giving more than two or three chances. It means doing whatever it takes to secure a future for these kids.” 

After being accepted back into the Program, he began buckling down, working with kids at the nearby YMCA of Williamson County and attending classes at Austin Community College. Then Chris set his sights on loftier ambitions. 
 
“I went to Keith with a list of 12 schools I wanted to attend from all over the country,” Chris said. “He encouraged me to narrow the list down to three, which was hard, but I did it anyway. I knew he was right.”  
 
Chris has always felt drawn to the stage, acting in TBCH programs while living on campus and then later as a stand up comedian and in community theater. So it wasn’t surprising that many of the colleges on his list were known for their dramatic arts programs
     
Among them was Emerson College in Boston. Chris, who had never been outside the state of Texas and had never flown on a plane, bought a ticket and headed to the city to audition for Emerson’s theater program. 
 
“It was the best audition I’ve ever had,” he said. “It just felt right. I knew that was where I should be.” 
 
Although Chris receives a scholarship from the Children At Heart Foundation, it won’t cover all of his school expenses. He received one of the highest scholarships awarded through Emerson and the kindness of private donors has assisted him with other immediate needs. 
 
“There have been times when I doubt myself or what I’m doing,” he said of his gamble, “but my purpose is always revealed to me again and God takes care of what I need.” 
 
And to Chris, his purpose goes beyond the footlights of any stage. 
 
“I’m being led to minister to people,” he said. “I don’t know how or when, but I know I’m supposed to use these gifts to lead others to Christ. God told me that it’s not about me but about the people I’m supposed to reach.” 
 
For the first time in a long time, Chris is living for something other than himself, he said. 
 
“In five or ten years, I see myself using my education and my life experiences to be completely absorbed into what God wants me to do,” he said. 
 
As his departure date draws near, Chris is warmed by the support he has received from his greatest fans – his TBCH family. 
 
“I’ve had nothing but support from everyone,” he said. “I have never been discouraged by anybody and that is one of the major contributing factors of my confidence going in.” 
 
This month, Chris will wave goodbye to all the people who have given him the wings to fly, especially his TBCH house parents, Sara (Mom) and David (Pop) Gillian, who he calls his parents. 
 
Chris will pack his suitcase, glance around at the only place he’s called home and bid it farewell, not knowing when he will have a chance to return. As he boards the plane one last time, he knows he takes with him the prayers, love and lessons from those who have known him best. And that gives him strength. 
 
“With that kind of love, how can you go wrong?” Chris asks. “And, if you are doing what God wants you to do, how can you fail?”