Our Team
MEET THE STAFF
We can guide men out of the darkness because we've walked that path.
Dickie Bryan
Executive Director
Growing up, Brother Dickie Bryan experienced firsthand the devastating effects of alcoholism on his family. His father was a workaholic, and his mother struggled with addiction, leading to a broken home and eventual divorce. These experiences instilled in him a deep burden to help others facing similar challenges.
As a pastor, Brother Dickie encountered relatives facing difficult times and discovered Celebrate Recovery, a ministry that provided support to those struggling with addiction. The program started small, with just two people, but it quickly grew to over a hundred. However, they soon outgrew their small space and had to move to another church to accommodate more people.
Through prayer and a strong faith in God, he developed a plan to locate a permanent space to continue this important work. It was then that he discovered The Mission location, a property he was familiar with from his childhood. Taking a step of faith, he purchased the building, seeing it as an opportunity to start a Celebrate Recovery group and provide a safe haven for those struggling with addiction.
The program starts with prayer, where they learn to talk to God and overcome their fears. During devotion, he has the opportunity to witness the transformation that takes place as the men gain insights and understanding of God’s love. He sees a real change in them as they start seeking spiritual growth and begin to shed their negative thinking patterns.
Brother Dickie ensures the men know that they are loved, and there are no strings attached to the support they receive. The program offers a safe environment where they can learn to make positive changes in their lives and cultivate a personal relationship with God. Over time, Brother Dickie knows that God will take them and be their Father, giving them strength and helping them on their road to recovery if they open themselves up to Him.
This work is not easy, but it’s rewarding and fulfilling, knowing that lives are being transformed by the power of God’s love. Brother Dickie and The Mission Men program does it all because they love Jesus and want to make a positive impact in the lives of those struggling with addiction. He invites others to join him on this journey, knowing that it’s not always easy, but it’s a ride worth taking.
Growing up, Brother Dickie Bryan experienced firsthand the devastating effects of alcoholism on his family. His father was a workaholic, and his mother struggled with addiction, leading to a broken home and eventual divorce. These experiences instilled in him a deep burden to help others facing similar challenges.
Jean Bryan
Program Director
Jean’s life is a testimony to the redemptive work of God. In 2010, Jean felt as though her life fell apart in ways she could never have imagined. Feeling lost and not knowing how to cope with the immense pain, she turned to prescription drugs to numb herself. However, that only prolonged the suffering and prevented true healing.
Then she discovered the book “Life’s Healing Choices” which led her to Celebrate Recovery, a faith-based recovery program. Over two years, through the power of forgiveness and grace in Jesus Christ, she found redemption and restoration. It was in Celebrate Recovery that she truly encountered Jesus and began a transformative journey of healing – spiritually, physically and emotionally.
After spending 14 years in the recovery field, she felt called by God to join The Mission. At first, she volunteered in an administrative role to set up a recovery program on a part-time basis. However, it didn’t take long for her to realize that the men who came to The Mission Men program were in great need of healing. She felt a deep desire to walk alongside them, speaking life and encouragement into their lives so that they could become the men God created them to be. Although her primary role is still administrative, uplifting and interacting with these men has become her greatest joy.
Jean believes in speaking words of life and positivity into others and feels that the men who come to The Mission Men program are broken in every way. But through the healing power of Jesus Christ and by making positive choices, their lives can be made whole again. These men don’t need to be constantly reminded of their past failures; they need to be empowered to speak words of hope over their own lives.
In Jean’s personal time, she is learning the simple art of being still – spending time with her Father, separating herself from the demands of work and being fully present with her family. She finds solace in nature, quiet spaces and the outdoors. Her life is a testimony to the redeeming power of God, who makes all things beautiful in His time.
Don Cotton
Recovery Support Services Manager
Don's passion is to mentor and disciple men for Christ. He helps them with whatever they need, whether it's getting their license, insurance, or just talking with them. He encourages them and tries to put them back on track when he sees them getting off course. It brings him joy to work in the kingdom of God, and he can't imagine doing anything else.
Nikki Tarwacki
Family Connect Coordinator
Meet Nikki Tarwacki the Family Connect Coordinator here at The Mission in West Point MS! Nikki is a woman who has overcome tremendous obstacles and using her past experiences to help others who are in the same position she once found herself. After turning her life around in 2018, she knew she wanted to give back and help others like her. She started volunteering at The Mission, doing whatever she could to help the men in the program. From teaching classes to cooking in the kitchen, she was always there to lend a hand.
Fast forward to today, she now works full-time as a Client Services Coordinator where she oversees visitation, music lessons, and leads the worship team for the men. Her passion for helping the men in the program has only grown stronger with time. She’s willing to help wherever she’s needed, doing whatever it takes to support the men in the program and her colleagues.
Nikki’s personal experience has given her a unique perspective, and she knows firsthand that recovery is possible with the help of God. She’s seen it happen in her own life, and she’s dedicated to helping others on their journey to healing and restoration. One of the things she’s learned during her time at The Mission is the importance of separating personal feelings from the job. She cares deeply for the men in the program and is always there to support them, but she knows that sometimes, despite their potential, they may not choose to follow through.
When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and attending church. She also loves being outside, getting to know nature and all that God has created. We’re so grateful to have her as part of our team at The Mission. She’s an inspiration to us all and a true example of the power of transformation and second chances.
Chuck Warren
Chuck Warren is a devoted believer in Jesus Christ and a father of three wonderful children. After struggling with addiction for many years, he sought help at The Mission to regain his strength and build a solid spiritual foundation. Before coming to The Mission, Chuck had been clean for eight months, marking a significant turning point in his life.
Chuck’s journey began in an all-male household after his parents separated when he was just a year old. Growing up without his mother was incredibly difficult, and he faced numerous challenges, including legal issues and a deep struggle with addiction. However, during his time incarcerated at nineteen, he cried out to God for guidance, which led him to a church service where he met Pastor Tim Wiggins. This encounter changed everything, and that evening, Chuck accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Now that Chuck has completed the program, he has remained actively involved in the Mission’s community. He runs the kitchen and facilitates classes, dedicated to helping others experience the freedom he has found through the Mission Men’s Program. His commitment to serving others reflects his gratitude for the transformation in his life and his desire to help those still facing challenges find the same path to healing and hope.
One of Chuck’s life verses is Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” This verse serves as a reminder that stepping out in faith is essential for spiritual growth.
Frances Smith
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Meet Frances Smith, the Volunteer & Events Coordinator at The Mission. Born and raised in West Point, Frances learned the value of giving back to her community at an early age.
Mary Bryan
Mary Bryan is a dedicated member of The Mission staff, working alongside her husband, Brother Dickie Bryan, the organization’s founder. Originally from West Point, she felt a powerful calling from the Lord to return home after several years away, during which she served nearly five years as a house mother at Ole Miss.
Chris Gray
Counselor
Chris Gray: Along with a heart for God’s Word, Chris has a passion to walk alongside those who find themselves trapped in the grips of addiction. Chris is passionate about helping men find freedom from addiction through Jesus Christ!
Chris currently serves as a worship leader at his church in Kilmichael, Mississippi, after spending time in Kosciusko, where he met Brother Dickie and Jean. With his wife, who has trained at Saddleback Church, he helped establish Celebrate Recovery at Brother Dickie’s church about 15-16 years ago. They were also some of the first supporters of The Mission, helping to lay the groundwork for its foundation.
With a background in counseling gained during his time at Teen Challenge, where he served on staff for three years—advancing to roles such as intake supervisor, program director, and assistant director—Chris brings valuable experience to The Mission. Invited by Brother Dickie and Jean to contribute, he is wholeheartedly dedicated to counseling the clients, focusing on giving his efforts to support others rather than seeking any form of compensation.
Understanding the struggles of those he serves, Chris is committed to providing encouragement and support. He believes deeply in the potential of each individual, drawing inspiration from Acts 10:34, where Peter states that God shows no partiality. Chris is devoted to helping others realize that what God has done for him, He can do for anyone. His mission is to support and uplift those on their journey toward recovery and transformation, driven by a spirit of generosity and compassion.