New Around the Mission
Church-Based Recovery Program Helps Alcoholics Find Freedom
August 12, 2011
Dale Schultz says that Growing in Grace (GIG), a Christian recovery program at St. Andrew’s Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, literally saved his life.
“If I wouldn’t have had the encounter that I’ve had with God here, I would no longer be alive,” he says.
For 36 years, Dale was in and out of four separate recovery programs, but none made him stay sober. When he finally came to GIG, he realized he was powerless to fight his addiction on his own.
“When there’s nothing left inside of you that can fight any more, and you’re out of hope and you’re out of a desire to even try anymore, God will begin to work,” he says.
Now clean and sober and ministering to others in the program, Dale is a testament to the effectiveness of the “genuine love, genuine hope and people that really care” found at GIG under the leadership of St. Andrew’s members Donna and Don Blair. GIG grew out of a small church group of recovering alcoholics meeting at the Blair’s home in 2003. The group burgeoned as week after week, participants talked about their problems, sobriety and God and Christ, and prayed simple, sincere prayers.
“The goal of GIG is to help those who are trapped in addictions to find long-term, life-time recovery through Jesus Christ,” Don says. “Many of our people come from treatment centers, other facilities, or out of the rooms of AA. Donna and I had a long time in AA and for us, it was not enough.”
The crucial difference is integrating the 12 Steps with learning about the Lord and filling from the Holy Spirit. Each Wednesday night, more than 100 people gather at St. Andrew’s for dinner, worship and a meeting. Don and other GIG ministers drive to treatment centers and halfway houses to pick up addicts and alcoholics who don’t have their own transportation. After praise and worship and a message from Don or others who have experienced healing in Christ, attendees break into small groups where everyone has the opportunity to share their pain or triumphs. And after each meeting is over, GIG continues to support and minister. They donate clothing, food, furniture and even cars to those in need.
Today, more than 8,000 people have found freedom in Christ through GIG, a replicable model other churches can follow.
“At GIG, you can find a lot of people who are willing to help walk you through this thing and love you through this thing,” Dale says. “They understand where you’ve been; they understand what it takes to make it, and they’re not ashamed of it. That’s what made the difference for me.”
Learn more at Saint Andrew's.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action
