Earlier this year, I sat down with two former students of Cookson Hills, Jacob and Bailey (Asbell) Spangler. They shared their stories during our Open Home event in March and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Jacob and Bailey’s stories highlight the transformative power of a supportive and Christ-focused environment. Their journeys from chaos to stability serve as a testament to the Kingdom-building work at Cookson Hills.
Jacob: I’m Jacob Spangler, and I was here from 2010 to 2013. This is my wife, Bailey.
Bailey: I was here from 2011 to 2014. And while our time at Cookson Hills overlapped, we did not start dating until 2015!
Bailey: Life for me was very hectic. My parents divorced in 2009, and I went to live with my mother. As she went down dark paths, running from her hurts, I followed her. It wasn’t long before I was in the lowest and darkest parts of my life. After a very scary experience my dad came and got me, and the next day I was sent to Cookson Hills. If it wasn’t for my dad stepping in, I truly believe I would not be alive today.
Jacob: My life was lonely and isolated. My family was dealing with mental health and addiction issues. I noticed at a young age that my family and living circumstances were much different than my peers. I experienced daily trauma throughout my childhood, including food insecurity, and daily physical and mental abuse.
Jacob: My mother had described Cookson Hills as a terrifying place, so I was scared. I was introduced to my houseparents, Mike and Debbie Tinkler when I arrived with my Walmart sack of clothes. The house, the people, everything was the complete opposite of what I expected. The staff were so kind and welcoming! I was allowed to go outside and play, with adult supervision of course! Mrs. Tinkler told me I would not have to wear the tattered clothes in the sack, and that there would be three meals a day with as much as I wanted to eat. This may seem small to some, but it was incredible to me. With that being said, my first impression of Cookson was that this was the best thing to have ever happened to me and I had only been there three hours!
Bailey: My houseparents, Brandon and Melissa Jackson! I still call them Mom and Dad Jackson. Melissa is who I consider my mother to this day. She showed me a true motherly, unconditional love that I had never witnessed before. She didn’t care that I wasn’t her blood; she knew I was hurting and helped me more than she could ever imagine. We had our typical mother/daughter arguments, but that never made her love me any less. She always had open arms and gave the best hugs.
Jacob: Same for me… my houseparents, the Tinklers, had the biggest impact. They brought me to my faith and raised me as their own. Mr. Tinkler is my biggest hero. He taught me how to control my emotions without bottling them up and to be empathetic. Watching him handle difficult circumstances to help kids and learning from him led me to pursue a career in air conditioner repair and firefighting.
Bailey: Not a chance. I continue to have a close relationship with the Jackson family. They’ve always been present when I needed them in my life. Their daughters were flower girls in our wedding, they came to meet our son shortly after he was born, and have continued to be part of our lives. In November 2023, they were there to cheer me on as I graduated from college, just as they were for my high school graduation in 2015.
Jacob: While we live pretty far from the Tinklers now, I know they are still in my corner when I need them. I appreciate how they will always answer the phone when I call whether it’s a job-related question or parenting advice… they’re going to be there for me!
Bailey: Yes, our son Dawson is 6 years old now. My experiences at Cookson have shaped the way I parent for the better. Mom and Dad Jackson displayed the patience of saints, and I strive to parent like they did. The way they could keep themselves calm in any situation helped me to learn how to keep myself calm too. Mom Jackson is also a God-fearing woman with a mama bear attitude about each of her kids, I always feel so loved by her.
Jacob: Watching the Tinklers raise me is all I know of parenting. So I’ve implemented a lot of what they taught me; like structure, understanding that there are consequences with choices, and having God in our household! My traumatic experiences as a child, paired with what I learned at Cookson, push me to raise Dawson in a loving household where he feels understood. I want him to always be able to come to us with any challenges and expect good guidance. To be safe, loved, and provided for no matter what. I want him to be raised in a house of faith and respect but not feel held back.
Jacob: I’m most proud of the family that I have built. Being able to build something that I didn’t have has always been a dream for me even when I was in high school. I was the guy that was ready to start a family. I mean not right then, but I was looking forward to it. And so I’m most proud of my son. Bailey and I are breaking generational curses, and I am blessed to have the family we have created.
Bailey: Jacob and I have been inseparable since we got married. I’m very proud to have the healthy marriage that we have because it’s not something I experienced in my childhood. I’m very blessed to have our son. Another huge accomplishment for me is that I just graduated with my Bachelor’s in Nursing and am now a Registered Labor and Delivery Nurse! That has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. Believe me, it’s not lost on me as I help deliver babies from mothers who are addicted, I remember, that is where I was headed. That could have been me… thank you God for redirecting me. I am grateful to be living proof that someone going down a terrible path can change their story.
Jacob: By supporting and donating to Cookson, you enable them to provide a loving, safe environment for countless children. This environment can determine the outcome of these children’s lives. Donating and supporting Cookson today provides these children with the life skills they need for their future. You should definitely support this ministry if you haven’t already done so.
Bailey: During my time at Cookson, I saw firsthand the amazing things different churches did for the kids there. It was incredible to be blessed by strangers. Thank you all for what you do for Cookson Hills; you bless every individual there in many ways and give kids hope.
