Project Rescue

Addiction Recovery Program


a work of city boulevard church of Christ

Progress Reports


3/10/09 Project Rescue Update

 

Dear brethren,

 

We appreciate your prayers and support.  Here is an update on the progress of the souls in our care:

 

The members of the City Boulevard church of Christ are surely fulfilling “the law of Christ!”  Galatians 6:1,2 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  All are doing their part to keep Project Rescue going.  The addition of 18 recovering addicts into a congregation of 50 is a BIG undertaking.  The congregation’s spiritual and emotional support is making a positive impact on the men.  Some of the members are also giving financial support!

 

Bill Nicks continues to teach the Monday morning class to the men.  He is in an ongoing 1-on-1 study with Joe.  He also preaches the Sunday evening sermons.  Bill and Gerry are a great encouragement to all of the men!

 

Frank and Betty Parker are coming to work with us beginning on April 8th.  Frank taught me the Gospel when I was in prison in 1986.  He will be handling the doctrinal side (curriculum, one-on-one studies, etc.) of the program.  I spend most of my time on disciplinary matters.  Therefore Frank will be filling an important gap.

 

Chris Walden is doing a great job as the program manager.  He recently reunited with his wife, Krystal and 2-year-old daughter McKenzie.  They are living in the duplex.  Jeanie studied with Krystal and we baptized her.

 

Below you will find an update on the men in our program.

 

In His service,

 

Ronnie Crocker, minister

www.projectrescue.org

 

 

Travis has been in the program 450 days.  We baptized him into Christ.  He is living with his mother in Texas.  He has become involved with the Kerrville church of Christ.  Travis attends WebCam meetings on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

 

Beau graduated from the program on Sunday, March 8th.  He was in the program 420 days.  He came to us helpless and hopeless.  He was addicted to cocaine and prescription drugs.  Through prayer, Bible study and Bible living, Beau overcame his addiction.  We count them a success after they are drug & alcohol free for 1-year.  Along with Chris, we now count Beau as a success.  Beau’s dad is a deacon at the Palm Beach Lakes church of Christ

 

David also graduated on Sunday, March 8th.  He was in the program 370 days.  After 3 months in the program, David went home and relapsed on cocaine.  After the relapse, he came back to us on June 22, 2008.  Therefore, we will count David as a success on June 22nd of this year.  David’s wife is a member of the church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia.

 

Randy has been in the program 318 days.  His mother is a member of the church of Christ in Evansville, Indiana.  Randy is working for a paper mill near Jacksonville, Florida. He has decided to remain in our area.  He helps us with transportation and encouraging the other men in the program.

 

Kevin has been in the program 285 days.  We made the mistake of allowing Kevin to relocate to Tampa, Florida for a job with an airline.  He stayed with a member of the church for one month.  He is now in his own apartment.  Kevin has quit the program before finishing.  We do not believe he will be able to resist alcohol and drugs now that he has abandoned his support.  Kevin’s wife is a member of the church of Christ in New Mexico.

 

Van has been with us 216 days.  He did very well in the program until about 3 weeks ago.  He has been experiencing problems with his medication. Van has been a great help to us with transportation and encouraging the men.  He is now living in his own apartment taking care of all of his own expenses and needs.

 

Marcus has been in the program for 176 days.  He has emotional problems in addition to his addictions.  When he came to us he was very dysfunctional.  We now have him living in an apartment by himself.  He still participates in the program from 7:30 am to 9pm.  We are trying to get him some vocational training.  Marcus’ father is a member of the church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida.

 

Paul has been with us in the program 174 days.  We baptized Paul into Christ.  He has had a tough time in the program with several relapses back onto drugs.  Paul presently is doing very well.  He is living in our Callahan mobile home and working in Jacksonville.  He comes back for Sunday church services and attends WebCam meetings on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

 

Timothy has been in the program 141 days.  We baptized him into Christ.  At 3 months we allow the men to have a debit card with their money.  Timothy was not able to handle it and relapsed on cocaine.  He is not allowed to have a debit card for 3-months.  He is on probation for drug offenses.  Joe, Jason Arnold, and Donnie are also on probation.  The Probation Office appreciates our supervision of these men.  It lightens their heavy load.

 

Todd has been in the program 129 days.  We baptized him into Christ after he was with us 30 days.  Todd makes a lot of money working for a mortgage company.  Money and addiction are a dangerous combination.  He signed up for the 1-year program.

 

Billy has been with us 128 days.  He was baptized into Christ.  His mother is a member of the church of Christ in Valdosta.  Billy has done very well in the program with a good attitude for learning the Bible.  He has been having a tough time finding a job in his field as an electrical contractor.

 

Craig has been in the program 112 days.  His sister is a member of the church of Christ in Valdosta, Georgia.  Craig has worked very hard on his program.  He is now allowed to have a debit card with a maximum  balance of $100.  He no longer has to call when he travels from one place to another.  We hope he can handle this freedom.  The random drug testing will prove his faithfulness.  He is about to move into his own apartment for his remaining 3-months with us.

 

Joe has been in the program 57 days.  He was released to us by a criminal judge.  We took him in without any money.  He is now working and paying his own way in the program.

 

Wes entered the program 344 days ago.  However he relapsed after several months with us and left the program.  Wes returned to the program and now has 26 days drug-free.  His attitude toward the Bible and the church has greatly improved.  He is working for a collection agency.

 

Jason has been with us 44 days.  A criminal judge released him to Project Rescue and he is on 10-years probation.  His parents have lived in Waycross for years.  They are supporting him in the program.  Jason recently relapsed on cocaine.  He is only 23 years old.  He is looking for a job.

 

Robert has been in the program 23 days.  The Hazlehurst church of Christ referred him to us.  He has a great attitude.  Robert and I recently attended the Faulkner University Lectures.  He is looking for a job.

 

Arnold has been with us 16 days.  We helped Arnold 2-years ago before we had the facilities.  He recently returned to us from a prison drug program.  He is looking for a job.

 

Donnie has been with us 15 days.  He was high on cocaine the day before he entered the program.  He has a lot to learn about the Bible.  He wants to learn!  He works in a restaurant as a waiter.  He handles tip money all day long.  This is very dangerous!

 

Daniel came back to us on March 2nd.  He completed our 90-day program.  I begged him to stay for another  3-months.  He thought he was strong enough.  We are glad to have Daniel back.  He has a much better attitude!