USA (MNN) — The International Bible Society is offering a new resource unlike any other they’ve ever offered. It’s for people who are addicted. It’s called, The Journey of Recovery New Testament and The Journey of Recovery DVD, endorsed by the American Association of Christian Counselors. It features real addicts and provides real hope to addicts and their families taking a first or next step in their own recovery journey.
More than 50 million people in the U.S. are addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography, an eating disorder, or gambling. Addiction negatively affects the lives, families, and communities of approximately 1 in 5 Americans. It is estimated that every household has contact with at least one person with an addiction. Many addicts are sitting in our church pews on Sunday, and sadly, many are preaching from our pulpits.
IBS’ Mike Richards says, “It has, inside of it, 11 stories along with the pictures of men and women in recovery for the top five addictions. There’s something about a person seeing someone else’s story that helps to infuse courage (and) to reach out for help.”
Churches often do not know how to address the problem, says Richards, so these resources can help. “These are tool where folks don’t have to feel like they’re an expert. They want to help. They don’t know what to do. They can put it into the hands of those they’ve counseled with, they’ve talked to. And, it really helps show people some fundamental steps to make it as easy as possible for folks to take the next step.”
With the launch of its new Recovery Ministry, IBS reaches out to addicts through photos and footage of real people telling their own real stories. Both New Testament and DVD include the time-tested 12-step program (reinstating Jesus Christ as the “Higher Power”), self-tests, and contact information for specific recovery groups and treatment centers. The unique book includes meditations for the addict and an overview of the Bible for newcomers to Scripture.
According to Richards, Christians are addicted because they haven’t surrendered every part of their life to Christ, but it’s also for non-Christians. “It’s an outreach piece that someone that has no background in Christianity can read. These stories will give credibility to the Gospel. And so, it’s not so much in your face evangelism.”
The book and DVD spotlight the voices and faces of people who have found powerful and complete healing, according to Richards, not just from a behavior but from within the core of their being. He says through recovery, people trapped in addiction regain their lives and relationships with those who love them. “I learned, says one recovering addict, “that the Higher Power who had helped me so much was Jesus Christ.”
More information is available at http://www.JourneyOfRecovery.org.
