Overcoming a drug addiction can be a huge mountain to take on without help and a local church is making advances to assist those who need it most.
Over the past two years, Life Chapel Assembly of God has created a support and recovery ministry group named Harvest Hill for those struggling with drug addictions. The organization was created by individuals with past addictions who have went through the rehabilitation program in Arkansas called John 3:16 Ministries.
Head of the Harvest Hill ministry, Jeff Thomas, felt that there was a need in the Puxico community for a Christian outreach to those struggling with drug addictions.
"I went through what many of these people are going through right now." Thomas explained. "I was too scared to talk to people about what was going on in my life and I'm sure others are having the same problems. That is why this ministry is so important - so addicts and recovering addicts have a place to go to and talk about the problems they are having in a Christian-based group."
The Harvest Hill ministry group has worked hard to help those in the Puxico community in hopes to bring those with addictions in to get help. The next step after connecting with the ministry is pushing toward the assistance from two rehabilitation organizations in Arkansas - John 3:16 for men and John 3:17 for women.
"We are reaching out to families of those who are having problems and those that are having addiction problems." Thomas said. "We are trying to reach out through other churches, events, and dinners to bring people in so we can get them the help they need."
Through the Harvest Hill ministry, twelve people have been accepted into John 3:16 and John 3:17 over the past year which is quite a feat given the limited space and high demand of access to those programs.
"There are so many people that want to get cleaned up and living a better life style." Thomas explained. "I get calls from the different jails and from the community wanting to get into the two ministries in Arkansas."
With the growing numbers of people seeking help, Thomas explains that new changes need to be implemented for easier access to a rehabilitation program. He hopes to make the changes needed and ease of transition within this community.
"Its difficult getting so many people to the ministries in Arkansas and sometimes they may not get accepted right away." Thomas explained. "I believe the next step for this ministry is to create a halfway house for those wanting to be accept into the Arkansas ministries and those coming out of those ministries to ease into normal life again."
The halfway house would be living quarters for those wanting into the ministry and another house those coming out of the ministries to make an easier transition between the changes.
"God is using this ministry to do great things to help those with addictions." Thomas said. "We want to continue to help those who need it and be a support system for those individuals and their families."
The Harvest Hill group meets at 7 p.m. Monday with a sermons, group discussions and a worship service. All donations are accepted and appreciated by the ministry. If interested in donating, contact Jeff Thomas at Life Chapel Assembly of God.