Lasting Hope for Those Struggling With Addiction
 Jim Anthony, Tim Cherry and Winn Freeman.
The DVD provided examples of the results achieved by the ministry and plans for a proposed residential training center that will multiply the efforts of the ministry many times over.
Freeman described the ministry and his vision for the future and the need for funding. Several living examples of the ministry’s results were present to answer questions. Jim Anthony, founder and CEO of the Cliffs Communities, a strong supporter of the ministry and the Beyond Recovery project, appealed to guests to become involved and assist in bringing the desperately needed project to fruition.
There is no denying that alcohol and other drug abuse is a major problem in the Upstate. We are told that one in nine residents of Upstate Counties needs help for a substance abuse problem. Drugs and alcohol are major contributors to crime, domestic violence, scholastic achievement, work productivity, and cost of insurance and medical treatment.
The majority of substance abuse programs focus on recovery through mental, emotional and physical rehabilitation.
The disease model approach to substance abuse treatment programs has less than a 10 percent success rate.
Wisdom in Living Life Ministry provides faith-based substance abuse training, counseling and guidance to addicts and to families and groups such as pastoral staffs and leaders in churches and businesses who are addressing substance abuse issues.
Since it was first developed by Freeman, this faith-based approach has had a 71 percent success rate meaning that one year after finishing the program seven out of ten graduates were still free of alcohol and drugs.
The philosophy of the ministry is based on II Corinthians 5 : 17:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.”
The ministry through Christ has been able to transform hopeless addicts into productive “new creatures.” Some of those reformed former addicts attended the luncheon, others were featured in the DVD. Some of the graduates of this program are expanding the work of the ministry.
This unique ministry is a non-profit, faith-based ministry founded in 2000 by Winn Freeman, himself a former addict. Its goal is to prevent and eliminate drug and alcohol addiction one life at a time. It is operated by a staff that brings to the work a wealth of experience in residential and life skill training programs, law enforcement, criminal justice, corporate finance and small business ownership and an active board of directors composed of prominent community leaders.
The Beyond Recovery Project involves a residential training facility. It will be built in foothills of northern Greenville County just north of Travelers Rest. It will meet the need of Bible-based, residential care for “functioning addicts” who are working, attending school though wrestling with some type of addiction. It will provide the concentrated training and accountability necessary in the initial stages of learning to live substance free.
Phase I consists of a 13,000 sq. ft. 40-bed men’s facility. Phase II will provide a women’s facility and cottages which will meet the needs of families with dependent children.
The property is ready for construction to begin in the near future. The total cost of Beyond Recovery is estimated to be $5.8 million. Phase I is priced at $2.5 million.
The ministry is conducting a major capital fund drive to raise the money to build the facility. Construction will begin as funding becomes available. They are asking for prayer and donations of funds, materials and labor.
Visit the ministry website at www.wisdominlivinglife.org, or call (864) 271-HELP (4357) and arrange a visit or pick up a copy of the new DVD to view at home or share with your friends or Church. Donations may be sent to P. O. Box 25296, Greenville, SC 29616.
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