H.O.P.E. Addiction Recovery
Heritage Baptist Church
“Hope International Program”
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Letter from the director:
Hello, my name is Craig Lester, director of the Hope International program here at Heritage Baptist church. I was saved at the age of 18 and then was called to be a Youth Pastor. I soon gave in to the world and I come into this role as a person who was addicted to everything possible for 18 years. At the age of 36, I was diagnosed with Chronic Hepatitis-C. On July 2nd, 1999 I was sitting in a doctor’s office listening to him tell me “if you don’t quit drinking you will be dead in 6 months, if you do you might live 6 months and anything after that would be a bonus. I knew at
that time that Jesus was the only way and that to live I would have to listen to Him. He led me into AA and soon after into church. I went through 4 years of treatments for the Hep- C before being freed from it. My family and I attended a few different churches during this time and we finally settled at Heritage. We had never found a church that preached the truth of the word of God like Pastor Peace here at Heritage. My desire to serve God was increased and stronger than ever. I was still going to AA and got to where I knew that I could no longer continue to attend these worldly meetings with their bad language and other unGodly ways and keep my testimony pure. Secular recovery programs teach that once an addict always an addict. I used to believe this also, but have found freedom in a personal walk with Jesus.
I have found in my Pastor’s heart a desire to reach the addicted for Christ and was more than willing and ready. I felt the calling for this ministry in September of 2010 and have worked to prepare myself and y family under the guidance of Pastor Scott Peace and the Lord. Now, after 12 1/2 years of freedom, I am ready to follow God’s will in this ministry.
The Hope program is not just for alcohol and drug addicts. It can also help with food, work, pornography, TV, computer addictions, etc. The Hope program can also help those with such things as feelings of insecurity and even memorizing the bible which so many people think is just too hard. The freedom and personal confidence is achieved through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and learning that through Him all things are possible.
Your servant in Christ,
Craig A. Lester
Director “Hope International Program”
Phone# (360) 264-2740