Hope is Alive ministry
Hope is Alive ministry - a beacon of hope
In 2021, First Church Deacons began serving Hope Is Alive, a faith-based program to overcome addiction. HIA began in Oklahoma City and quickly added two women’s homes and one men’s home in the Tulsa area. Nationally HIA has 21 residential homes which are separate for men and women. In addition, there are over 30 “Finding Hope” support groups for loved ones of addicts.
Hope is Alive is about more than getting sober. It is a radical life change. HIA encompasses a year-long study which is spread over a 12 to 18 month living period. Residents are encouraged to quickly get back into the work force. Many have full time jobs. They follow a 12-step program and celebrate sobriety milestones. Residents learn to have fun together in a healthy manner. They learn to live and work in a family system in a constructive manner. In addition to paying a monthly rent, each is required to bring a Bible upon move in. God and faith are brought into daily conversation.
Ed Slier organizes quarterly visits to the men’s HIA meetings. Ed has observed that the men in HIA are not hesitant to share their Christian faith walk. He said that the age range seems to be early 20s through 50s which is the same for the women’s group. Ed praised the process of an addict pointing out specific deeds that other members have done that are particularly uplifting in the individual’s addiction recovery.
Cheryl Arthur, organizer for the women’s groups, says this is also true for the women’s groups. At First Church quarterly meetings, ministers and members have given Biblical presentations and shared stories from their own faith journeys with those living at HIA homes.
“One never knows when one of us or someone we love many need this beacon of hope.”
– Carol Rowland
Addiction is hard and it affects all aspects of life. Family dynamics are complex and are compounded by addiction and the secrecy often associated with addiction. Often there is a downward spiral of loss of marriage, job, family, which at times ends in death. Sometimes one thinks that trials are just his own, but they are common to all mankind. Life is somewhat like a mountain pass. You must struggle to get through the past, but it’s not impossible. Sometimes when we are amid that struggle we tend to forget and not focus on the blessings that God has given us. Hope is Alive is a blessing.
Carol Rowland, who is current co-moderator of the Deacons, reported that more than 12 Deacons attended First Church quarterly Sunday night meetings in the past. They interact with and encourage residents, provide an evening speaker, and bring a wonderfully appreciated dinner that Chef Joseph and staff prepare. Carol said, “I am so grateful that First Church saw this program as an important commitment.”
About the author:
Bette Cromer, a current Deacon, and her husband Phil have been members of First Church for five years. Bette received her undergraduate degree from TU and her graduate degree from the CAPS program at the University of Missouri. While spending 30 years in Houston, Texas, Bette was a psychotherapist at a drug and alcohol psychiatric hospital. She was also a counselor in schools and at Bo’s Place, a grief center for children. Recently, she has enjoyed working alongside her therapy dog, Rally.