Keller: Faith-based rehabilitation offers more to participants
Published 12:01 am Saturday, August 15, 2015
Being privileged as a laborer in God’s ministry of Get High on Life is always interesting.
Most of the time, when dealing with people seeking help for illegal drug and alcohol problems, counseling isn’t enough.
Over the years, I’ve directed people to different rehabilitation centers. Most of them choose short-term secular places that have very little success. The most successful are the 12-month Christian centers that minister to the heart and not the head.
For the last 30 years I’ve directed many people to Teen Challenge in Arkansas, The Ark of Lafayette, Freedom Challenge in Bastrop and other Christian facilities.
A year ago, I was dealing with someone who seemed to be a hopeless case. I called the Covenant House in Kinard, Fla., which is a Christian facility. I heard of the ministry years ago, but had never contacted them.
I decided to call Bro. Wilbur Butts who, with his wife, Mary Linda, established Covenant House in 1993. I asked if they could help a 42-year-old man who had a problem and seemed hopeless.
Without hesitation, Bro. Wilbur said, “Send him over.”
Eight weeks ago, a young man in his early 30s who had been to numerous secular programs and spent a large amount of money called me for help. I suggested the Covenant House. He reluctantly agreed to go.
I promised that if he would stay at least six weeks, I’d visit the place.
This week, I was given permission by Bro. Wilbur to visit. It being a six-hour drive, I asked my friend, Billy Broussard, to drive me. It was one of the most exciting two days I’ve ever had. Bro. Wilbur and Mary were very gracious hosts.
Billy and I were in awe with the beauty of the place, the peace of the residents and the spirit that existed.
The young man who I directed there in late September of last year was doing great! I didn’t recognize him! The other young man, after eight weeks, was doing equally well.
The following is the mission statement of the Covenant House:
The Covenant House is a Christ-centered home designed to rebuild broken lives. We teach those suffering from life-controlling problems that the way of transformation is found in Christ.
We provide a scripture-based, 12-month recovery program, dealing with spiritual, social, emotional and life skill needs. It was easy for Billy and me to see why the program is so successful. With Jesus as the center, all things are possible.
If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.