Pinnacle Leaders Podcast: How You Can Help Combat America’s Overdose Epidemic

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ABOUT THE EPISODE

U.S. overdose deaths hit an all-time record in 2020, killing over 93,000 people. How do we, as Christian leaders, combat this growing epidemic? In this episode, Founder and Executive Director of Big Fish Ministries, Isaac Stooksberry, shares how you can help those struggling with addiction experience true freedom through Christ-centered recovery ministry.

TODAY’S GUEST: ISAAC STOOKSBERRY

Lost in addiction and court-ordered to a Christ-centered recovery program, Isaac found freedom from addiction when he met Christ. Living in this peace and freedom, he felt a burden to share it with others struggling with addiction. After working for a decade in recovery ministry, God put the vision of Big Fish Ministries in the hearts of Isaac and his wife, Rana. They founded Big Fish Ministries (BFM) in April 2014 and, since then, BFM has grown from leasing a small garage apartment to owning multiple housing facilities and operating two thrift stores in Foley. Hundreds of men and women have experienced Christ-centered freedom from addiction through this ministry.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

According to numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. overdose deaths hit an all-time record in 2020, killing more than 93,000 people. That’s over a quarter of the number of deaths due to Covid-related illness. How do we, as Christian leaders, help combat this growing epidemic?

I recently spoke about this with one of Alabama’s leading voices on the topic, Founder and Executive Director of Big Fish Ministries, Isaac Stooksberry. Once a drug addict himself who found freedom in Christ, he called addiction “the plague of our time.” Overdose numbers don’t even account for the addiction-related imprisonments, divorces, and overall brokenness of lives.

Here’s what I learned about how impassioned everyday people can be leaders in bringing people into recovery and wholeness…

Leaders need to welcome and show Christ’s love to people in addiction.

There’s so much in Scripture about “setting captives free,” (Luke 4) “freedom in Christ,” (Gal. 5) “new creations,” (2 Cor. 5) and “caring for the least of these,” (Matt. 25), all of which could be applied to the mandate of the Great Commission.

Addiction is very often shameful and people with addictions often feel like they wouldn’t be accepted by “church people.” Embracing and loving the broken is the first step in showing them the Gospel of Jesus, leading them out of darkness.

Leaders don’t need to be intimidated by addiction or recovery.

Substance abuse can be foreign and can make addicts do irrational things. Yet, leading someone through recovery looks like leading anyone out of a sinful lifestyle into a life of discipleship.

Addiction is a symptom of a deeper problem, and that problem is usually hopelessness. Jesus is hope for the hopeless and walking someone through recovery is often simply offering Christlike accountability and grace.

Leaders can help bring true freedom and transformation to people with addictions.

It takes work, but we can put in the effort to familiarize ourselves with nearby recovery resources. You can meet with your pastor about starting or partnering with local churches to host missional outreaches like “Celebrate Recovery” groups. You can volunteer with local recovery ministries. You can support other leaders in this area through your finances and prayer.

If someone says, “I’m addicted, can you help me?” we should be able to respond with a resounding yes!

Secular programs can help with chemical dependency on drugs, but we’re looking for transformation. It’s on us as the Church to lead others in becoming fully devoted disciples. Jesus is the only hope for healing our epidemic.

Subscribe to the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast with Dr. Langley to listen to this episode and others for more Biblical wisdom on the areas of lordship, leadership and lifestyle.

RELATED RESOURCES

• Big Fish Ministries (BFM) — A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, BFM seeks to meet the needs of the homeless and addicted. They provide long-term residential, Christ-centered recovery and outpatient recovery services. Learn more about how your organization can start or support recovery ministry at www.bigfishministries.org.
• Experiencing Father's Embrace (CC510) – Taught by Rev. Jack Frost, this course is designed to lead you deeply into Father's presence where you can receive an experience in Father's loving embrace and a restoration of childlike innocence and intimacy. https://clstgo-clstglobalonlinelearning.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:216
• No Longer a Victim (PT661) — This class, taught by Dr. Lynn Lucas, equips the Christian to minister to people suffering from abuse, addictions, compulsions, and rejection. Emphasis is on basic counseling skills, the principle of iniquity, and the specific needs of people suffering in these areas. https://clstgo-clstglobalonlinelearning.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:559

QUOTES & SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER

• “As God called Moses to go back to Egypt… I felt compelled to reach back into that same darkness [of addiction] and cry out that there is hope in Jesus.” — Isaac Stooksberry
• “To lead someone to the Lord, to lead someone from a place of darkness to a place of light, is the most rewarding thing we could ever do.” — Isaac Stooksberry
• “Really show the love of Christ to people in addiction.” — Isaac Stooksberry
• “Addiction is the plague of our time.” — Isaac Stooksberry
• “Crisis often doesn’t create the problem; it just reveals and accelerates the problem.” — Dr. Randal Langley
• “Addiction is a symptom of a deeper problem.” — Isaac Stooksberry
• “When people are infused with a feeling of hope again, it’s amazing how that process of transformation can take root.” — Dr. Randal Langley