Something to Celebrate!

Some suggest that our community has a drug problem.  Would it surprise you if I said that I disagree?  We don’t have a drug problem rather we have a sin problem.  In all reality drug use like any other vice is just a subset of a much deeper condition of the human heart.  Therefore, it is absolutely vital that we help folks to recover from a life of addiction by pointing them to the redemption that is only available through Jesus Christ.

With that said, today marks the 3 year anniversary of East Barbourville Baptist Church’s recovery ministry which meets every Friday from 12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.  In these meetings participants are introduced to biblical truth, encouraged through personal testimonies, and have access to a licensed Christian chemical dependency counselor.  In addition, childcare is provided along with lunch.  Therefore, we are not surprised by the recent surge in attendance that we have seen.  As a matter of fact, on a typical Friday, we have the privilege of ministering to 15-17 people.

While we wish that meetings like ours were not needed in our community we are thankful that God is bringing these people our way so that we can show the love of Christ to them.  I assure you from the observations that we have made and the testimonies that we often receive this ministry is making a difference one life at a time.  Therefore, on this day we celebrate our volunteers who commit their time each week to serve.  Thank you, Sherry Harris, Susan Poff, Peggy Messer, Louise Peters, Tammy Farmer, Jerri Campbell, Barry Rowland, Steve Farmer, and Jason Ball for the various contributions that you have made during these last three years.  In addition, we celebrate our participants because of the grit and determination that they are displaying in the fight of their life against this stronghold called addiction.  Ultimately the war on drugs will be won through them as they trailblaze a path to sobriety that others will want to follow.  Finally, and most importantly we thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is because of Him and His healing power that we have seen some of these folks get saved, baptized, find employment, reconcile their marriage, regain custody of their children, etc.  Therefore, take a moment to pray for this arm of our ministry and be sure to thank God for how He is using it to help our friends and neighbors.  To God be the glory!!