How Elim churches can be really good news for those caught up in addiction

You need to be prepared to journey with addicts, says Barry Woodward

INTRO by Mark Greenwood
I’ve done it myself. I’ve looked at people caught up in addiction and it’s hard to imagine them being free. And even if I can imagine it, I’ve thought to myself, “What can I do? I mean, I don’t come from that background.” And so I often feel a bit useless when it comes to chatting to people like that. And yet, I am convinced of the power of the gospel to save and transform.

As Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 5, I try not to view anyone from a worldly perspective – but sometimes it’s hard. In the last twelve months or so I have been reminded time and time again that evangelism is best done, and most effective, in a relational context – whatever the method. So how can we begin to do this with people caught up in addictions?

I am a huge fan of Proclaim Trust. Its Director and Evangelist, Barry Woodward, is not only a communicator I admire, he’s a dear friend, and as we often say to each other, “I am glad to be on the same shift.”

I asked Barry to share some thoughts as to how we in Elim can be Really Good News to those caught up in addiction. And guess what, it’s doable!

“If you’d been in that church that morning, you’d have seen my state when I walked in. I’d been caught up in addiction for 15 years; I’d suffered from amphetamine psychosis for nine years; I’d been a drug dealer; I’d been in prison; I’d lived in hostels. However, that morning, after being prayed for, everything changed!

That was 25 years ago. Today, I head up Proclaim Trust and work in prisons and alongside local UK churches in their missional endeavours. Many of the churches we work with are seeking to help people in the addiction community.

So, how can Elim churches be really good news to those caught in addiction?

Firstly, Elim churches need to be intentional about reaching out to those caught up in addiction. Addiction is rife, even in the most affluent communities. You might immediately think of the person begging outside Tesco or your local homeless shelter, and that is an important part of the picture, but the problem is much wider than this.

Make reaching out to this people-group par t of your missional strategy. Do some research, find out what’s happening in your area, make contact, offer to help out. Take teams out into your community. Jesus said, “Go into ALL the world” (Matt 28:19). Go into their world and be really good news!

I a l so think that Elim churches need to create a welcoming space for those caught up in addiction. Making someone feel welcome means so much more than putting out a welcome mat at the door! It’s about being interested in them and not judging! After I got prayed for in that church, I was invited to a Life Group. The group leader came and picked me up from my flat and they treated me like I was human! They even left car keys on the floor. They trusted me! For me, this was them being really good news! Paul said, “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” (Romans 15:7). Finally, I think that Elim churches need to prepare to journey with those caught up in addiction. This is massive! Of course, each person is different, so for some it might mean getting them into a rehab, for others it could be finding them accommodation, for others it could be much-needed help re-settling after being in prison. There might be a need for help filling in forms, giving lifts and so on. For me, the next step was getting into Bible college!

This journey is not ‘one size fits all’. And, of course, it can get messy, but being there for someone when they are in the middle of the madness is being really good news! Remember what Jesus said, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me” (Matt 25:40).

When I walked into that church I was in such a state! Little did I know what was going to happen! Without the support from the people in that church, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Jesus is the hope of the world, and he uses his church to reach people with hope. My prayer is that Elim churches will become really good news to others like me!”

OUTRO
Barry Woodward is a contemporary communicator who is humorous, passionate, and inspirational. He is an accredited minister with the Assemblies of God, he is the founder of Proclaim Trust and an associate evangelist of J.John of Philo Trust. He is also the author of the best-selling book, ‘Once an Addict’. If you would like to explore more, why not head over to proclaimtrust.org.uk or invite Barry to speak at your church. His message will impact anyone who hears it.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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