Rev. Roger Wood and Executive Director Carrie Wood. Source: www.godswaytorecovery.com.
Matthew Short
The Christian Ministry known as Gods Way to Recovery is approaching its 15th anniversary of helping those in need. The ministry was founded by Reverend Roger Wood who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction himself for nearly 13 years. Ending up in a state-run detoxification center in upstate Delaware, Wood turned to religion as he began to reflect on his life. He took a vowel to God, that if God could take away his addictions, he would serve the Lord for the remainder of his life.
Wood continued his promise in 1995 when he decided to help people who were bound and unable to break free from their addictions by starting his own ministry known as Gods Way to Recovery.
“We are an outreach ministry that helps people with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Carrie Wood, Assistant Executive Director for Gods Way.
The ministry operates a transition home for those in need. The program began by offering a temporary home which housed up to five people. Since then, a new house has been bought that can hold up to 14 people. Residences are permitted to stay for 6 to 9 months as they make the transition into the recovery process. Those that meet the criteria to qualify must abide by the house rules which emphasize praise and worship.
“The transition homes provide a Christian living environment to men that will empower them to function in a mainstream society,” said Wood.
The organization also operates four thrift stores which provide various merchandise including furniture, jewelry, clothing and antiques. The four stores are located throughout the state of Delaware including Milford, Rehoboth Beach, Dover and Georgetown. All stores provide financial support to various outreach ministries throughout the United States and affordable items to the local community.
The ministry also runs various programs including a benevolence volunteer exchange program, support group meetings and Family Biblical Counseling. The benevolence volunteer program is set up for people in need, those who need community service and those on work release. Those who sign up for the program can come to the store, sign up and receive on-the-job training.
The organization also runs a prison ministry in at the Sussex Correctional Institute in Georgetown. As of now, the program consists of nine volunteers who provide spiritual strength and guidance to prisoners by preaching the teaching’s of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Gods Way to Recovery ministry continues to expand and serve its community, the ministry plans to open a fifth thrift store in Wilmington, Delaware and a transitional home for women in the near future. More information on Gods Way to Recovery can be found at www.godswaytorecovery.com.