It seems like some days all you can hear is bad news. The economy is hurting, the weather has been crazy, the Gulf is full of oil and drug and alcohol problems are skyrocketing everywhere. Yes, unfortunately those are all true statements. But did you know that there are 5 faith based programs and groups available in PRC for anyone desiring to get free from the drug and alcohol addicted lifestyle?

  The ACTS Program (Alcohol Chemical Therapy Services) has been going strong for over 16 years. The voluntary (and court ordered) program is taught at the First Pentecostal Church by Wayne Wilson, Pastor and Director of the program. Pastor Wilson and his group of faithful volunteers have been dedicated to this cause and have touched over 35,000 lives during the course of this community and prison based ministry. He says, “Our program works; if a person wants to get clean from crack, heroine, meth, marijuana, etc. they can.” Call Pastor Wilson at 601-798-4850 or show up on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

 A little ways down the road is New Life Baptist Church in Nicholson. Pastor Rusty Kuhn and Clarence Perrett are teaching a class called Celebrate Recovery (CR).  CR is currently taught all over the USA and other nations. The class is 26 weeks long and meets on Wednesday nights, at 6:30 p.m., at the church.  Call 601-799-9955 or 601-798-3966 or www.newlifeinnicholson.com for more information.

 The really good news is that Celebrate recovery also has a group in Poplarville. It is taught by Lucy Juneau, Darlene Balu and Randy Gordon and meets at First Baptist Church of Poplarville (across from the courthouse.) Meetings are on Mondays at 6 p.m. at the Church. “Celebrate Recovery is not only for addicts and alcoholics but also for those dealing with hurts, bad habits and hang-ups,” says group leader Lucy. Call 601-795-4531 for more information.

 Resurrection Life Church is still going strong with the New Life Recovery Group. We are entering our 8th year of Life Group teaching. The group is led by a band of faithful volunteers who are mostly graduates of the class. We have seen many people who at one time did not believe they could ever be clean come to know Christ and the freedom that is in Him. The group consist of two semesters of teaching; one in the fall and the second in the spring. Those who complete the classes get a certificate of completion.

 RLM is excited to announce Revive Family Recovery Life Group. This is a new class and is open to adult immediate family members of the addicted. This could be parents, grandparents, siblings, children or spouses. It is a class that focuses on the recovery of the family. It teaches healthy coping skills from a biblical perspective. The class will be taught by Teresa Jurich who has a great testimony of overcoming in this area. Both classes will begin in Sept. and are held at RLM on Monday nights at 6 p.m.. Call 601-798-4511 for more info or stop by church and get a free Life Group directory.

 All 5 groups are free, voluntary, and you can join at anytime. They are open to the church and community including those who are already clean, those not yet clean, those on house arrest, probation, parole, fresh out of rehab or jail, and the family of the addicted.

 The atmosphere is casual and non-judgmental with a focus on biblical teaching, drug and alcohol education and personal testimonies. Another important aspect of all of the groups is the emphasis on confidentiality. We are reaching out into the community to open to the doors of these successful Christ centered groups to those who are ready to take the step in.

 Here’s the good news; if you or someone you love is dealing with addiction, there is help out there. All you have to do is take the first step and call or show up to any one of these groups. We have seen all the death  we care to see in this community secondary to drugs and alcohol. It is our combined desire to see people and their families to become free of the burden, chaos and bondage that is the drug and alcohol addicted lifestyle. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate, just show up or make the call. We believe you will be glad you did. If you know someone who could be helped by reading this article please cut it out and give it to them.

 If you are interested in starting a recovery group like New Life, Revive or Celebrate Recovery in your Church, Rehab Center or Jail Ministry, call or come visit the classes. Although there is a lot of bad news out there, there is still a lot of good things happening in PRC. Hope to see you there.