DURHAM, N.C. (BP)–We watched tiny snowflakes fall as we entered Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Boone, N.C., a few weeks ago. The strategic mountain church claims among its members Franklin Graham and is pastored by the dedicated servant of God, Allan Blume.
The service was soon underway. As church members welcomed visitors, I and Philip Barber, my associate, soon noticed that the entire platoon of residents from nearby Hebron Colony, a well-known Christian treatment center for those with drug-related problems, nearly filled one section of the church. Hebron Colony director Tom Knowles and assistant director Don Holder accompanied these men, 28 strong. They waited anxiously to hear from the two Southern Baptist visitors who both had histories as former drug addicts.
Philip thrilled the men and the rest of the audience as he shared his testimony of how Christ had rescued him from the gates of hell. As a veteran of three walks across America to hand-deliver a message of hope, I explained to the crowd, “But we are no longer drug addicts,” I assured the rapt listeners. “We used to be recovering individuals, but we are no longer recovering. We are recovered forever by the grace of God, and that same hope can belong to you or to anyone you love!” The thundering applause was instantaneous. The congregation celebrated the revolutionary message of hope for permanent recovery.
On May 17 I returned to the Boone area and shared my testimony with the Hebron Colony residents at a morning chapel service. The men and their leaders gathered in the small chapel nestled in the beautiful mountains. The young man who was presiding had attended the Mt. Vernon service and proudly told me he would graduate the next Saturday after completing the 70-day program. He appeared thrilled at a drug-free future serving the Lord who had become so real in his life.
“Please tell Philip that I really enjoyed his testimony. The part where Philip confided that professionals had treated him as a young teenaged druggie especially had meaning for me. I remember his description of those professionals who insisted, ‘Don’t dip drugs; take your medicine. Don’t smoke pot; take Prozac. Don’t buy their drugs; buy our drugs.’ I shook my habit with illegal drugs by coming here,” he confided. “And I finally was able to loose my longtime habit with anti-depressants three weeks ago. Tell Philip that I’m happier than I’ve ever been!”
I shared the terrifying story of my former addiction to “speed” with the residents during the chapel service. They listened intently as I described the criminal monster I became as a “speed freak,” eventually winding up in prison. Then they rejoiced in my description of the two important decisions I made while in prison: to never do drugs again and, more important, to allow Jesus to become my Lord and Master. “I surrendered to Him, declaring once and for all that my life totally belonged to Him.”
Then I repeated to the chapel audience what I so often say: “If you really want to cure a drug addiction, you must substitute something stronger. I know of nothing stronger than a lasting trust in and dependence on Jesus.” I then reminded the group of Revelation 21:7, a promise to overcomers: “… I will be your God, and you will be my son!” They all celebrated.
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Ted Stone & Philip Barber are ministry partners who speak in Southern Baptist churches and write books and articles dealing with the cure and prevention of drug abuse. They may be contacted through Ted Stone Ministries, P.O. Box 1397, Durham, NC 27702. Philip, also a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, and Jennifer Whitmire, a Fort Worth-area teacher, will be married in a ceremony at Southwestern May 29.
