More than 250 people each week are learning to break free from various addictions through Re:generation, a national discipleship program with a chapter at Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit.
It’s a growing trend of churches to address the growing epidemic of drug and alcohol use in society, including among Christians. But it’s not just limited to those.
“There’s no quick fix to life’s brokenness, but with consistent, committed discipleship based on God’s word, we see people finding freedom over their struggles,” Desiree Hugill-Houston, the program administrator, says.
Re:generation began in Texas and has spread nationwide. Abundant Life started its program three years ago, with just a handful of people. “We have a lot of hurting people who are looking for community and healing,” said Carol Magan, another administrator.
Both Hugill-Houston and Magan have been through Re:generation themselves. For Hugill-Houston, it was finding gospel freedom from pride, feelings of low self-worth and shame. Magan said her story is similar.
“Because of Re:generation, I found out I didn’t really have low self-worth; I had a low image of God,” Hugill-Houston told “The Pathway.” “I had to figure out that my self-worth comes from who I am in Christ.”
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Although non-believers are welcome to participate, they hear the gospel at every meeting. The program begins with the foundational biblical doctrine that idolatry and misplaced worship are at the heart of every sin, including addictive behavior. Instead, through consistent, committed discipleship based on God’s word, people have found freedom from such struggles as substance abuse, codependency, pornography, eating disorders, pride, depression, fear, control, emotional/physical abuse, same-sex attraction, people-pleasing, anger, obsessive thoughts and more.
Although it includes 12 steps that are similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, these rules have been rewritten with an eye toward biblical sanctification, not simply recovery. Sobriety from behaviors and addictions is not the ultimate goal of Re:Generation. Instead, it is one road marker on the journey toward full devotion to Christ. Along the way, the people of Abundant Life see more than sobriety as well: They see transformed lives, restored relationships, healed marriages and new brothers and sisters in Christ.
“It’s really cool to see that happen,” Magan said.
For information visit the church website.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice