Imagine feeling helpless, hopeless and just plain weary of fighting a battle you have fought for years. Addiction is like that. It's something that can get hold of a person with a kind of death grip. In most cases, a person attempting to overcome addiction on their own only results in constant failure leading to depression, paranoia and prison time.
Four years ago, Crossroads Ministry, a faith-based recovery ministry, was born to bring help and hope to those wrestling the monster of addiction. Started by a small group of concerned men and women, most of whom are former addicts themselves, came together out of compassion for those who have this struggle. Two out of that group, Jimi and LaDonna Waggoner, now serve as the directors of Crossroads.
They began meeting in a small storefront on Pine Street on a Sunday afternoon. They had a grand total of about 10 people at their first worship service consisting mostly of two families and the music team. They now meet at 4 p.m. every Sunday at the Conference Center behind Marshall's averaging 150-200 people. It is a unity service and is open to the general public.
However, Crossroads is much more than a group meeting for worship once a week. At its core is a six-month, residential program that currently has room for 14 men. Upon being accepted, each man is required to live at the Crossroads house and adhere to a schedule consisting of Bible study every morning, work in the community during the day and attending a faith-based group meeting every evening. As they advance through the program more freedoms are allowed until their graduation, which is celebrated at the Sunday unity service.
Having wrestled with addiction themselves, the Waggoners are familiar with the fight people with this problem face.
"I found myself in jail many times and felt I would probably always be an addict," says Jimi. "It wasn't until someone told me that God had something better for me - that I was made for a higher purpose through the power of a genuine relationship with Jesus - that my life began to change. Crossroads is certainly a Jesus-focused program all the way," continues Jimi, "because only He has the power we need for true, lasting freedom. If He can change my life, He can change anyone's."
Since Crossroads is a ministry to the Southeast Missouri area, the Waggoner's make it a point to have a variety of speakers at the Crossroads worship service on Sundays. They are very intentional to invite various pastors, ministry leaders and others to preach and share their testimonies. The worship music team also reflects this same purpose by consisting of various singers and musicians from the area. At these services Jimi often encourages everyone to find a home church they can get connected to where they worship on Sunday mornings, and allow the Crossroads worship meeting to strengthen the unity in the community.
While there are some other good, faith-based recovery programs for men in our region, like John 3:16 Ministry and Shepherd's Fold, which are out of Arkansas, Crossroads is locally-based here in Poplar Bluff. The struggle is real and not all are successes in any program, but an increasing number can say they have found freedom from addiction and a new life through Jesus Christ and the Crossroads Ministry.
Since Crossroads is a not-for-profit ministry they rely on donations to operate. A substantial part of their needs are met from doing various jobs in the area from carpentry to roofing to moving to general clean-up, among other things. They are hard-working and intentional about doing the job right, whatever the task maybe.
It is the long-range vision of Crossroads to become a premier recovery ministry hosting over 100 men, and eventually a women's program as well. Their mission-focus is to help people walk out of their dark past of addiction and toward a bright future as they find their purpose in Jesus Christ.
The public is invited to an open house Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Crossroads house, 2727 Barron Road, from 1-3 p.m. People will have an opportunity to look at the facility, ask questions, and enjoy some great food cooked and served by men in the program.
If anyone would like to partner with Crossroads Ministry donations may be sent to P.O. Box 1592, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 63902. For questions or more information call (573) 529-6691 or (573) 529-7692.