After attending a men’s discipleship group at Mosaic Church in Crestview, Florida, Jason accepted Christ as Savior and was baptized at the church in testimony of his new life. But soon after his salvation experience, the young man realized he needed more help with his addiction than the church alone could provide.
He found the help he needed at Project Hope, a men’s recovery program that had recently relocated from Fort Walton to Crestview in 2021.
The young man’s experience drew Mosaic pastor Tadd Anderson, who had led the men’s discipleship group, to partner with the recovery ministry to help transform lives of men and women in their community struggling with addictions.
21 million Americans struggling with addiction
With nearly 21 million Americans struggling with addictive behaviors, the Panhandle church has made a commitment to encourage their neighbors toward a reliance on God instead of their dependence on drugs and alcohol.
Every Sunday morning, the church welcomes the men from the program to worship with them.
In February, Mosaic Church held a special Night of Worship and Gospel Encouragement for the men of Project Hope and the women of Saving Grace, the sister program for women overcoming addictions.
Nearly 50 men and women from the combined programs attended the night of worship, which included testimony from a fellow church member who found freedom from his addiction in the good news of Jesus.
‘The need is big’
And Jason, the young man who had struggled with his addiction, led the special music — a living testimony of a transformed life.
Following worship, about 20 volunteers from Mosaic along with friends from Celebrate Recovery served the group dinner. The time of food and fellowship was designed to encourage the men and women in the huge step they were taking to get their lives back on track by following Jesus.
“The need is big in our area as we don’t have many gospel-centered recovery and counseling resources in the Panhandle,” Anderson said.
“Project Hope and Saving Grace are doing a great work. We’re just getting started with this ministry and hope to continue to build relationships and be a landing spot for those who graduate from the programs.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by Brooke Mannion and was originally published by the Florida Baptist Witness, newsjournal of the Florida Baptist Convention.
