Our culture has heavily influenced the way addiction is viewed and treated within our society, defining it both as an identity and a disease. As such, this often leaves people feeling that change is impossible. When the church acquiesces in these viewpoints, the task of revealing and addressing the underlying problem becomes much more difficult.
Conversely, when addiction is viewed through the lens of scripture, there is hope for change. That is why we are committed to equipping churches with biblical training and tools to effectively and confidently engage addiction culture.
Hope for Addiction is a gospel-centered, scripture-based program that partners with local churches to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those struggling with addiction. Our program teaches practical application of God’s Word lived out daily (2 Peter 1:3), integration into the local church, living in community and walking life together within a local body of believers. All of which are crucial for those rebuilding their lives free from addiction.
This is about God’s work of redemption...
in me, in you and in those who feel trapped in addiction.
Trying to make sense of my husband’s addiction, the world’s solution (this is a disease and my husband had no control) brought temporary comfort, but no hope for change. Through the wise care and biblical counsel of my pastors, I found that a proper understanding of the gospel was the only real “cure” for addiction and the suffering it brought to my family.
As a result, I am passionate about helping pastors and other church members to confidently use God’s Word to bring hope and life to a hurting and lost wold.
Hope for Addiction equips churches to engage their community in life-changing ways. Every church is called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Hope for Addiction equips you to disciple those trapped in addiction and lead them into a growing relationship with Jesus and the local church.
Join us, and together we will bring Hope for Addiction!
Our Beliefs
The power of Christ has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
In Christ we have a new identity, we are no longer identified by our addiction or our sin (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Our life is about growing in our knowledge of God, not about pursuing sobriety. Sobriety will be an outcome of obedience to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us (Colossians 1:9-10, Galatians 5:16).
We believe the Bible is God's authoritative, inerrant, infallible Word and necessary for guidance in all of life, not just sobriety. Scripture is fully trustworthy as our final and sufficient authority for all of life (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-4, Colossians 2:9).
We live in Christian community so we may be built up, encouraged in our faith and grow in our knowledge of God (Colossians 2:7, Hebrews 10:24-25, Galatians 6:1).
All Christians, even recovering addicts, need to be meaningfully involved in a local church (Ephesians 4).
The good news of the gospel is, not only can we be saved by Christ, but that we are being renewed into the image of Christ, making the gospel central for all of life (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).
We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in his own image. Men and women are made equally in God's image and both have equal access to God by faith in Christ Jesus. God ordains distinct roles that reflect the loving relationship between Christ and the church (Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 5:2, Mark 10:6).
defining addiction biblically gives hope for change
Many words have been redefined by our culture and addiction is no different. If the church embraces the language of the culture, Scripture becomes irrelevant to the sufferings and struggles of our lives. If we believe the Bible speaks to every situation and we consider the whole counsel of Scripture, we must properly define words. When we biblically identify words we can confidently connect Scripture to common problems and bring hope for real change.
The culture has defined addiction as a disease or disorder. The answer, then, is "recovery." Recovery is defined as, "return to a normal state of health, mind or strength." For a struggling addict, a return to "normal" is not always appealing as returning to "normal" means facing all the pain and suffering that led to addiction. Additionally, the problem for the addict is far worse than their suffering and the battle against addiction. The real problem is sin and the need for Jesus. The good news of the gospel answers the problem of sin and brings hope in the midst of suffering. Christ's finished work at the cross and his resurrection gives hope for sin and gives freedom, not just sobriety.
An addict suffers from the effects from sin and a desire to find refuge in a substance rather than finding refuge in the Lord. Due to the cravings that occur when someone is physically dependent on a substance, it feels as though he truly “needs” the substance to survive. The transition from finding refuge in drugs or alcohol to finding this in the Lord is not easy. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit, a willingness to die to self, and humility to ask for help. The answer is easy; the process is not.
As a believer in Christ, an addict is given a new nature and they are no longer defined by the struggle with sin. Freedom is possible. The power of the Holy Spirit at work means that an addict can say no to sin and live to glorify God.
The good news of the gospel brings hope to the addict: for sin, for suffering, for identity, for pain, and so much more. Recovery doesn't come close to delivering what Jesus does.
Enhancing the ministry of your church
Hope for Addiction is created to work with and enhance the ministry already happening in your church. Our training will help all the leaders in your church, no matter where they serve. With a foundation of biblical counseling, our training is applicable for all areas of ministry.
Working together to bring the good news of the gospel to your community.
Contact us for more info
We love to connect with pastors and church leaders! Use this contact form for more information and schedule a phone call with our team if you would like. We are thankful for your desire to bring the light of Jesus to struggling addicts.