We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mashaun Hirschler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
MaShaun, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
What does it take to be successful?
Success, for me, is rooted in resilience, faith, and the courage to transform your life no matter how far off track it might feel. It’s about acknowledging where you are, envisioning where you want to be, and taking steps—however small—toward that vision every day. Along the way, you need community, mentors, and a sense of purpose that’s bigger than yourself.
A Story that Illustrates This View:
There was a time in my life when everything seemed to be spiraling out of control. I was surrounded by negative influences and caught in a cycle that I thought I couldn’t escape. One night, after seeing the pain my choices were causing not only to myself but to my loved ones, I hit a turning point. I cried out for direction, for hope, and for something to change. That night, I felt an undeniable push—what I now know was God—telling me that my life wasn’t over, that I was built for more.
It wasn’t easy to change. I had to walk away from people and habits that were holding me back. I started studying the Word, seeking out mentors, and learning how to replace my old ways with ones that would bring life instead of destruction. That journey taught me the value of perseverance and how leaning on God’s grace can help you through even the darkest moments.
Fast forward to today, I see this same truth in the young men we serve through T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ. I think of one in particular—a young man who came to us lost, feeling hopeless, and believing his past defined his future. But with mentorship, a safe place to stay, and the opportunity to reconnect with his faith, he’s now thriving. That’s when I know that success isn’t just about me. It’s about what I can give to help others find their way too.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
About You & Your Business / Brand
My name is Mashaun Hirschler, and my story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, redemption. I grew up in chaos and uncertainty. At just nine years old, I found myself on the streets, navigating a harsh world alone after being thrust into Texas’ foster care system. This instability and lack of guidance led me down a path of survival, marked by crime and pain. It wasn’t the life I wanted, but at the time, it felt like the only way to cope with a world that seemed to have forgotten me.
My turning point came during my fourth stint in prison. I had hit rock bottom, but even in that dark place, there was a small light—hope. It was there, in the stillness of a cell, that I had a profound encounter with Christ. That moment didn’t just change me; it saved me. I began to see my past not as a weight holding me down but as a stepping stone to a better future. I taught myself to read and write, earned an associate degree in applied science, and most importantly, discovered a purpose beyond the walls around me.
With my newfound faith and education, I felt a calling to give back—to create a path for others who, like me, felt stuck in cycles of crime and despair. That’s how T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ was born. Our organization’s name stands for “The Honest Understanding God Gives Is Now,” reflecting the urgency and hope that define our mission. We focus on guiding young men, particularly those aged 18 to 24, who have been trapped in cycles of criminal activity or gang involvement, toward a life of purpose, faith, and transformation.
Our Services
At T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ, we offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to address the unique challenges faced by these young men:
Supportive Housing: We provide safe, stable housing options, including transitional and long-term supportive housing, to create a secure foundation for growth.
Mentorship: Teaching participants how to find and develop mentorship relationships is central to our approach. We connect them with mentors who can guide their personal and professional journeys.
Life Skills Training: Our programs cover everything from financial literacy to conflict resolution, ensuring participants have the practical tools to succeed.
Faith-Based Guidance: Spiritual development is at the heart of what we do. Bible studies, prayer sessions, and Christian teachings provide the moral and spiritual compass our participants need.
Community Partnerships: We collaborate with local organizations, correctional facilities, and churches to create a seamless support network.
What Sets Us Apart
What makes us different is that this isn’t just a job for me—it’s personal. Every element of T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ is inspired by my own journey. I know what it’s like to feel abandoned, hopeless, and trapped, but I also know the power of faith and determination to break those chains. That authenticity resonates with the people we serve and creates a level of trust that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Additionally, our approach is holistic. We don’t just address the surface issues—we tackle the spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of the young men we serve, ensuring they leave our program equipped to thrive in every area of their lives.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the lives we’ve touched. One young man who came to us was deeply entrenched in a cycle of violence and hopelessness. Through our mentorship and housing programs, he found stability, rekindled his faith, and is now mentoring others in our program. Watching that kind of transformation is what fuels me every day.
On a personal level, I’m proud to have turned my own pain into purpose. I went from being a child alone on the streets to co-pastoring, mentoring, and leading an organization that helps others rewrite their stories. I’m also proud to be a certified mental health coach, a college graduate, and soon, an author—a testament that with God, all things are possible.
What I Want People to Know
T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ isn’t just an organization; it’s a movement. It’s a testament that no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, change is possible. I want people to know that our work is about creating opportunities for transformation—one young man at a time. It’s about breaking the chains of the past and stepping into a life of hope, faith, and purpose.
To anyone out there who feels lost, I want to say: your story isn’t over. With faith, hard work, and the right support, you can rewrite it.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Funding Your Business
The story of how T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ came to life is truly one of faith, community, and perseverance. When we first started, we didn’t have a clear financial roadmap, but we had a vision and unwavering trust that God would provide. During one of our initial strategic planning sessions, I remember a woman who was simply there to take notes. Little did we know, she was observing not just our plans but the heart behind our mission. Moved by what she witnessed, she decided to remodel her own home and donated it to our cause.
That act of generosity was a game-changer. Around the same time, we received a private donation of $20,000, which allowed us to open that house as a transitional home for young men in need. We didn’t have all the answers, but we moved forward in faith. We took that house, the $20,000, and a lot of prayer, and we made it happen.
In our first year, the community stepped up with smaller but equally significant donations. By God’s grace, we were able to sustain operations and serve 24 young men, providing them with housing, mentorship, and a path toward a better future. However, like any journey of faith, we faced challenges. After that first year, the homeowners decided to sell the property we were using. With little funding left, we were forced to pivot. We spent nearly everything we had to relocate our clients, a move that stretched us financially but kept our mission alive.
It was during this tough season that we reached out to local funders for help. Once again, God showed up through the generosity of others. Their support helped us stabilize operations and continue serving young men who desperately needed a second chance.
A Leap of Faith
I made a personal decision to step away from my full-time job to devote myself fully to this mission, despite not knowing where the next dollar would come from. This leap of faith not only tested my resilience but strengthened my relationship with God. It also taught me that when you’re committed to a cause bigger than yourself, the community will rally around you.
Today, T.H.U.G.G.I.N. For Christ is not just a testament to the power of faith but also a reflection of the incredible generosity of people who believe in our vision. From that first remodeled home to the countless individuals and organizations that have contributed along the way, every step of this journey has been guided by the belief that we are doing God’s work.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A Story of Resilience
One of the defining moments in my journey was when the first house we operated out of—graciously donated by a kindhearted supporter—was put up for sale. At the time, we were still finding our footing as an organization. We had limited funds, no safety net, and 24 young men depending on us for shelter and support. It was one of those moments where everything seemed to hang in the balance.
I remember sitting in the empty house after the homeowners gave us the news, feeling overwhelmed. But instead of giving in to despair, I turned to God for strength and direction. I reminded myself of the same faith that got us that far—the faith that said, “If He brought us to it, He’ll bring us through it.”
With that mindset, I got to work. We used every dollar we had saved—not for expansion, not for growth, but simply to move our program and ensure those young men didn’t fall through the cracks. It was a tough decision because it left us almost completely depleted financially. But I knew it was the right one.
During this time, I leaned heavily on the community and reached out to local funders and supporters for help. We explained our mission and the immediate need. Slowly but surely, help came. Donations—big and small—started to trickle in, and we were able to stabilize our operations.
This experience taught me that resilience isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the process, doing the work, and holding on to faith when everything feels uncertain. We didn’t just survive that challenge; we grew stronger because of it. That resilience didn’t just keep the organization going—it inspired me to believe in the work we’re doing and the impact we’re making.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thugginforchrist.com
- Instagram: thugginforchrist_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BF8txSZvHSuAjrs/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashaun-hirschler-48411523a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@t.h.u.g.g.i.nforchrist4530?si=e3_fwyAr7eECp-A-