Crossroads to host open house June 15

Crossroads Ministry, a faith-based recovery program for men struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 15.

The open house is for the public to tour its new facility, located at 416 South C St. in Poplar Bluff, and learn about the program and the services offered. The group held a ribbon cutting Tuesday at the former William G. Hentz School, which was previously the home to Boys & Girls Club.

Pastor Brian Sharp of Grace Christian Fellowship is the chairman of the ministry’s board of directors.

Sharp describes addiction as “a mean octopus with many arms who keeps trying to hold on to you.” The program directors, Jimi and LaDonna Waggoner, personally understand what the men are going through, Sharp said. The Waggoners have been clean eight years.

Beginning as a worship service, Sharp said, after two years it became apparent an in-house rehabilitation program was needed. When the in-house program opened, the men first lived in a mobile home and then a former church on Barron Road. The first group included 12 men but has grown to 25 today.

“Our area is well known to have a lot of drug problems and it has for many years,” said Sharp, adding a program in the “local area was greatly needed.”

While Sharp praised the work of John 3:16, which is based in Arkansas, he stressed something local was needed for men, while area women have Recycling Grace.

Crossroads Ministry is a six-month program. To be accepted, the men must attend a 4 p.m. Sunday worship service each Sunday at the Conference Center on Ridge Avenue behind Valley Plaza. Those who want help may answer the call and come to the front where they will be interviewed.

“This helps us to know they are serious about being there,” Sharp said.

According to Sharp, “the first 30 days is the hardest. During this time they can have no outside contact.”

The daily routine for the men, Sharp said, “is very special. Monday through Friday they have Bible study and breakfast before they go to work on a job site. Each night they attend a faith-based program somewhere. They have to stick to same schedule.”

After that time, they may see their families during and after services at Grace Christian Fellowship.

Then for four months, the men work at Crossroads mostly learning building skills, but they mostly do roofing, Sharp said. During the sixth month, the men work outside Crossroads, but they “still come back at night,” Sharp said. “Their money is kept for them so when they graduate they have a nest egg to use in getting an apartment.”

Once the men graduate, if they realize they need more help they may come back and usually stay a shorter period of time, usually two months.

The men give a very small portion of their paychecks to the program and the rest goes to restitution, child support, savings, Sharp said. The program is financed by donations and the work done by the Crossroads men. The remainder comes from churches and individuals who partner with the program.

Other board members are Pam Sharp, Jerry Wawak, Kenny Hosler, Greg Gilberto, Steve Murphy and Debbie Shelton. By BARBARA ANN HORTON

Staff Writer

Crossroads Ministry, a faith-based recovery program for men struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 15.

The open house is for the public to tour its new facility, located at 416 South C St. in Poplar Bluff, and learn about the program and the services offered. The group held a ribbon cutting Tuesday at the former William G. Hentz School, which was previously the home to Boys & Girls Club.

Pastor Brian Sharp of Grace Christian Fellowship is the chairman of the ministry’s board of directors.

Sharp describes addiction as “a mean octopus with many arms who keeps trying to hold on to you.” The program directors, Jimi and LaDonna Waggoner, personally understand what the men are going through, Sharp said. The Waggoners have been clean eight years.

Beginning as a worship service, Sharp said, after two years it became apparent an in-house rehabilitation program was needed. When the in-house program opened, the men first lived in a mobile home and then a former church on Barron Road. The first group included 12 men but has grown to 25 today.

“Our area is well known to have a lot of drug problems and it has for many years,” said Sharp, adding a program in the “local area was greatly needed.”

While Sharp praised the work of John 3:16, which is based in Arkansas, he stressed something local was needed for men, while area women have Recycling Grace.

Crossroads Ministry is a six-month program. To be accepted, the men must attend a 4 p.m. Sunday worship service each Sunday at the Conference Center on Ridge Avenue behind Valley Plaza. Those who want help may answer the call and come to the front where they will be interviewed.

“This helps us to know they are serious about being there,” Sharp said.

According to Sharp, “the first 30 days is the hardest. During this time they can have no outside contact.”

The daily routine for the men, Sharp said, “is very special. Monday through Friday they have Bible study and breakfast before they go to work on a job site. Each night they attend a faith-based program somewhere. They have to stick to same schedule.”

After that time, they may see their families during and after services at Grace Christian Fellowship.

Then for four months, the men work at Crossroads mostly learning building skills, but they mostly do roofing, Sharp said. During the sixth month, the men work outside Crossroads, but they “still come back at night,” Sharp said. “Their money is kept for them so when they graduate they have a nest egg to use in getting an apartment.”

Once the men graduate, if they realize they need more help they may come back and usually stay a shorter period of time, usually two months.

The men give a very small portion of their paychecks to the program and the rest goes to restitution, child support, savings, Sharp said. The program is financed by donations and the work done by the Crossroads men. The remainder comes from churches and individuals who partner with the program.

Other board members are Pam Sharp, Jerry Wawak, Kenny Hosler, Greg Gilberto, Steve Murphy and Debbie Shelton.