Though there are many startling statistics, one usually only has to take an honest look at his or her own family to realize that there is a big problem. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest challenges facing the present day church is the issue of addiction.
Ask yourself, “Am I prepared to speak with confidant compassion about addiction?” When your spouse, child, friend, or co-worker admits to feeling in bondage to alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, pornography, or sex do you know where to take the conversation next? Do you know the resources in your community? Does your church know how to play its role in the recovery process?
In a world that is in “The Pursuit of More” we must be able to answer these questions if we are going to talk about the freedom of Christ we have in the gospel. It is for this reason that I would like to make you aware of an important conference coming to our area. But first let me introduce you to the story of the man to leads the ministry that is hosting this conference.
A good example concerning the dangers of seeking fulfillment apart from God is the family story of a local addiction’s ministry director named Shawn Saunders. (The story below is written by Shawn.)
When I was 17, my 42 year old mother informed him that she was ready to leave my dad after 20 years of marriage and basically live for herself. Attending bars and dance clubs, seeing other men, and abusing drugs and alcohol replaced teaching the 4 & 5 year old class on Wednesday nights at church, serving meals to help other people, and living selflessly for her family.
What were the consequences of her actions?
My two younger brothers began taking prescription narcotics and became addicted at ages 14 and 17 which led to my middle brother serving 41 months in prison, and my mother passed away at age 49. This is not to mention the horrific pain that my father endured for approximately 8 years until his passing at age 55. He paid thousands of dollars on my brothers in court fines and lawyer fees and watched the love of his life kill herself due to chasing a euphoria. Or better put, she was pursing more out of life–she wanted to transcend the monotony of marriage and motherhood. She was searching for meaning, significance, purpose, and acceptance in the midst of the challenges that relationships bring.
One of the toughest elements of this saga was my dad going to our church for help, but the church not knowing how to respond. He was left with no answers and no hope other than life is filled with pain but we have heaven to look forward to as an escape.
Converting Hearts Ministries (www.convertinghearts.com) is hosting “The Pursuit of More: Addictions Conference” on Friday, September 16th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, September 17th from 9:00am to 1:30pm at Open Door Baptist Church in Raleigh.
Join The Pursuit of More in September to hear from incredible speakers including Danny Akin, Stephen Davey, Sam Williams, Dwayne Millioni, Robert Jones, Brad Hambrick and others as they engage this growing and concerning issue, and discuss how the church can offer solutions.
The Pursuit of More is for church leaders, laymen, counselors, and anyone interested in how to combat addictions in their church and community.
The Pursuit of More Speakers will share biblical concepts about addictions and practical help to enable individual churches to reach both the addict and those who suffer the consequences of the addicts’ destructive behavior.
Learn more information about the cause, conference, speakers, and schedule by visiting pursuitofmore.com where you will also find a two minute conference video..
All ticket purchases will go to Converting Hearts Ministries (www.convertinghearts.com) to advance their mission to addicts and their families.
CHM looks forward to co-laboring with RDU churches as they minister to the flocks that God has entrusted to their care.
