PO Box 3171 Greensboro, NC 27402 admin@malachihouse2.org 336.375.0900

About The Founder

Honoring The Legacy of a True Leader and Champion

About The Founder

James Michael Speight

Founder & Executive Director

Malachi House II was founded through the vision, faith, and testimony of James Michael Speight, who served as the organization’s Founder and Executive Director. His life reflected the transforming power of redemption and restoration and became the foundation for a ministry dedicated to helping other men overcome addiction.

James understood personally the challenges and devastation that addiction can bring into the lives of individuals and families. Determined to change the direction of his life, he made the courageous decision to seek help through The Malachi House, Inc., a faith-based residential recovery program in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Malachi House, Inc., founded by Bishop Otis Lockett, Sr., became a place where James experienced spiritual renewal, personal accountability, and the structure needed to rebuild his life. Bishop Lockett served as both pastor and mentor, guiding him through a journey that would ultimately shape his calling to serve others.

After completing the program, James remained committed to helping other men find the same hope and freedom he had experienced. Through leadership roles and continued service in recovery ministry, he gained valuable experience working with men seeking a new path forward.

With a heart for restoration and a passion to see lives transformed, James went on to establish Malachi House II, where he faithfully served as Founder and Executive Director. His vision was to create a safe, structured, faith-based environment where men could rebuild their lives spiritually, emotionally, physically, and vocationally.

Under his leadership, Malachi House II became a place where men could find more than temporary relief from addiction. They found guidance, accountability, education, life-skills training, and a renewed sense of purpose. Many men who entered the program searching for hope discovered a new beginning through the support and mentorship provided there.

James’ leadership was rooted in compassion, faith, and a deep understanding of the journey toward recovery. His own testimony served as a powerful reminder that transformation is possible and that every life has purpose beyond its past.

While James Michael Speight transitioned from this life to his eternal reward on December 21, 2025, his impact continues to be felt through the many lives changed by the mission he established. His work as Founder and Executive Director created a lasting foundation for Malachi House II, and his legacy continues to inspire the ministry’s ongoing commitment to restoring the lives of men and strengthening families and communities.

James’ life stands as a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and service to others.

 

A Life of Redemption

James Speight
is an example of a life transformed to impact his family and community. He is the Executive Director and Founder of Malachi House II.

In 1997, James found himself at the end of his rope, after living a life of crack cocaine addiction. The turning point for James seeking help from his life-controlling issues came after he ran out of his house in the middle of the night on a crack cocaine binge leaving his daughter behind in tears screaming “daddy come back!” Seeing the tears and the anguish in his daughter’s face helped him realize that he needed help. After trying other drug rehabilitation programs, such as Teen Challenge, the grips of crack cocaine continued to lead James in the cycle of addiction.

He entered another faith-based drug rehabilitation program, The Malachi House, Inc. founded in 1995 by Otis Lockett, Sr. in Greensboro, NC. The program provided structure, discipline, character building and recovery principles to assist in restoring the lives of men.

In 2001, James became an intern staff member after completing the program. This started his journey of giving back what was so freely given to him. He worked in a number of capacities which include Community Relations and Program Director of The Malachi House, Inc. and he served faithfully until it closed its doors in 2010.

In 2008, The Malachi House, surveyed 51 participants who had graduated at least one year or more from their program.

The results from the survey showed:

  • 75% were substance free (national average for substance abuse treatment is 25%)
  • 90% were crime free
  • 88% were working (78% were working full-time)
  • 71% received a pay increase
  • Other participants were working on their GEDs, attending technical college, in seminary or were with the Americorps Vista Volunteer Program.

Committed to the Vision of The Malachi House, James has championed the call to continue providing men with the opportunity to live a life free from life-controlling addictions and has emerged Malachi House II as a program with the mission to restore men back to their rightful place in their families and communities.

 

Founder’s Vision

The Vision Behind Malachi House II

Malachi House II was founded from a deep conviction that every man struggling with addiction deserves an opportunity for restoration.

Having experienced the life-changing impact of recovery himself, James Michael Speight, Founder and Executive Director, was driven by a desire to create a place where men could find hope, guidance, and the support needed to rebuild their lives. He believed that recovery required more than temporary solutions — it required spiritual renewal, accountability, practical life skills, and a community committed to walking alongside men on their journey.

Through Malachi House II, James envisioned a program where men could break free from the cycle of addiction and begin again with purpose and dignity. His passion was to see men restored not only to sobriety, but to their families, their communities, and the future God had intended for them.

Today, that vision continues through the work of Malachi House II — helping men overcome life-controlling issues and equipping them with the tools needed to pursue lasting recovery and meaningful lives.

A Life of Redemption.
A Legacy of Restoration.