‘Brave the Dark’: How a Humble Teacher’s Compassion Saved Nathaniel Deen

No one wants to go through life with the feeling of utter hopelessness. But sometimes, due to a set of unforeseen circumstances, a person is forced to navigate through the perils of daily living without any clear sense of purpose or encouragement. 
 
But there is always hope.
 
Nathaniel Deen knows hardship and hopelessness very well. Due to a traumatic incident, he lost both his parents at the age of five. For the next nine years, Deen bounced from an orphanage to a series of foster homes to eventually running away at age 16. He soon found himself living in a car, yet somehow still finding the wherewithal to attend and contend with the daily rigors of school. This chaotic lifestyle eventually brought him to the brink of suicide.
 
But fortunately, due to a stroke of divine providence, Deen came in contact with a teacher who was drawn to his mysterious past. Rather than run in the other direction, far from Deen’s problems, this small-town educator discovered the profound and direct impact he could have on another life. 
 
Today, Deen is eternally thankful that this humble man took the time to journey with him through his doubt and betrayal and set him on a path to trust and redemption.
 
This amazing story is the subject of a new movie releasing in theaters this weekend called, “Brave the Dark”. Starring Jared Harris and Nicholas Hamilton, the film serves as a prime example that we should never give up on anyone. Doing so can often prevent a person from traveling down such a tortuous path of destruction, one that never seems to end well.
 
Deen joins us to talk about how his potentially tragic story turned into a blessing due to the gentle guidance of a teacher who was willing to demonstrate compassion and concern for him. Listen as he shares why he chose to be so transparent about his life despite such a tremendous sense of vulnerability in putting the scars of his past out there for the world to see.