This was our 6th annual Rally for Recovery Walk. We want to say thank you to everyone who came out to show their support for our residents! We had a great turnout, and it meant so much to see families walking with their loved ones. We hope to see you again next September!
Walking Through Recovery | Devin’s Story
Devin grew up in a drug-filled environment in Kansas City, Missouri, where addiction felt inevitable. Trapped in a cycle of substance abuse, jail time, and broken relationships, he reached a breaking point. “Drugs had taken me to a deep dark place,” he recalls. While in county jail, a fellow inmate introduced him to Heartland Recovery, offering a glimpse of hope Devin hadn’t seen before. Desperate for change, he applied—and that decision marked a turning point.
At Heartland, Devin encountered something he’d never experienced: genuine love and community through life groups. “Being welcomed into somebody’s home and shown nothing but love and compassion for no other reason but to fellowship and share life is an experience that’s changed my life,” he shares. That kind of unconditional support shifted how he views relationships—not as means to get something, but as opportunities to reflect the Gospel. Today, Devin is living with renewed purpose and clarity, anchored in his faith.
If you or someone you love is battling addiction, know that there is a way out. Devin’s story is proof that change is possible when you surrender to Jesus and surround yourself with a community that cares. Visit hlandrecovery.org to take the first step toward freedom.
Walking Through Recovery | Justin’s Story
Justin from Novinger, Missouri, began his descent into addiction during high school when he started hanging out with older kids. What began as innocent partying to fit in eventually spiraled into destructive behavior—hurting his family, losing jobs, and disappearing for weeks at a time. “One day I woke up and I had been sitting in jail for several months, and that’s when I knew it had gone too far,” Justin shares. After 10 months in jail, watching his mom cry during visits and realizing his so-called friends had vanished, he knew it was time for change. That’s when the opportunity to come to Heartland appeared.
At Heartland, Justin found hope and guidance through his relationship with God and a mentor named JC Morgan. “He was a great spiritual leader and he was just there for me to talk to anytime I was having a bad day,” Justin recalls. That consistent support helped him break the cycle of hopelessness and begin rebuilding his life. Today, his family is proud of the man he’s become, and for the first time in a long time, he has real direction. “I have hope and just plans to go somewhere in life,” he says.
Justin from Novinger, Missouri, began his descent into addiction during high school when he started hanging out with older kids. What began as innocent partying to fit in eventually spiraled into destructive behavior—hurting his family, losing jobs, and disappearing for weeks at a time. “One day I woke up and I had been sitting in jail for several months, and that’s when I knew it had gone too far,” Justin shares. After 10 months in jail, watching his mom cry during visits and realizing his so-called friends had vanished, he knew it was time for change. That’s when the opportunity to come to Heartland appeared.
At Heartland, Justin found hope and guidance through his relationship with God and a mentor named JC Morgan. “He was a great spiritual leader and he was just there for me to talk to anytime I was having a bad day,” Justin recalls. That consistent support helped him break the cycle of hopelessness and begin rebuilding his life. Today, his family is proud of the man he’s become, and for the first time in a long time, he has real direction. “I have hope and just plans to go somewhere in life,” he says.
Walking Through Recovery | Kevin’s Story
Kevin from Kirksville, Missouri, reached a point where addiction had drained all joy from his life. “I was broken… there was a lot of roads that led to nowhere, and I didn’t want that,” he shares. Though he had been in contact with Heartland Recovery for a year, he couldn’t enter the program until he dealt with outstanding warrants. Eventually, jail became the wake-up call he couldn’t ignore. Tired of living a life with no future, Kevin finally surrendered and took the step toward real change.
At Heartland, Kevin’s transformation began with trust—specifically from his group leader. “Once he began to trust me, that led me to kind of restore the integrity that I once had,” Kevin recalls. That restored integrity opened the door to a renewed relationship with the Lord and helped him find a sense of identity again. Life groups became healing spaces for him: “The cordiality of the life group… was the medicine that my heart needed to help me to just feel like I could be normal again.” Today, Kevin is rebuilding relationships with his family and especially cherishes the restored connection with his kids.
You don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle of addiction. As Kevin says, “Jesus is truly the answer… there is hope.” If you’re ready to take that first step toward healing, visit hlandrecovery.org and discover the path to restoration.
Addiction and The Church Resources
Heartland Recovery hosted its second annual Addiction and the Church event, which brought together church leaders, recovery professionals, educators, and community members who are committed to walking alongside those affected by addiction. Presentations throughout the day offered practical tools and biblical insight on issues such as family recovery, trauma and addiction, forgiveness, burnout, and supporting long-term change.
“It was fantastic to see so many people come together with a heart to help those who have an addiction and bring hope to the hurting. Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). That’s the kind of rest and restoration we want every person struggling with addiction to find — healing that not only transforms individuals, but also restores families and strengthens entire communities through the power of Jesus,” said Scott Miller, one of the event’s organizers.
Archived videos of the presentations are available on the HlandTV YouTube channel, and PowerPoint presentations are available for download using the links below.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO DOWNLOAD POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS:
Session #1 | Family Recovery & the Power of Forgiveness | Scott Breedlove
Session #2 | Creating a Church Culture that Supports Long Term Recovery | Brett Scharnhorst
Session #4 | Burnout in Ministry and Recovery Work | Scott Miller
Session #6 | Confronting Modern Addictions in the Church | Dave Barton
Session#7 | Addiction & Trauma Connecting the Dots | Dave Evans
National Recovery Awareness Month
September is National Recovery Awareness Month—a time to celebrate the millions of Americans in recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. Recovery is possible, and every story of healing matters.
This month, we honor the courage of those who’ve chosen the path of recovery, the families who’ve stood by them, and the communities that support healing. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or working in the field, your efforts make a difference.
Let’s break the stigma, share hope, and remind everyone: recovery is real, recovery is possible, and recovery is worth celebrating.
