Ministry

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when he raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 118-20

When a man is in bondage to drugs and/or alcohol (or any destructive behavior), the whole family is taken into captivity in many ways. Healthy, happy families are often oppressed by the side effects of a father or son who feels helplessly chained to a cycle of destruction. Wives and children are often cut off from friendship and counsel by attempts to hide their private suffering.

Exodos Ministries has a heart for families that want to be free at last. We understand that the whole family has suffered and the whole family needs healing which can only come through Christ Jesus. Exodos Families exists to minister into the lives of the family members of our residents. From intake to graduation, the families are actively involved in the recovery process for themselves, as well as, their husband, son, father or loved one. Through Bible studies, counseling and support group meetings, the focus for each family member is their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His sufficiency in all areas of life.

More information:

There are 3 main aspects to the Exodos Families ministry. The first aspect is a topical Bible Study covering a variety of subjects including anger and bitterness, Biblical forgiveness, worry and anxiety, the power of words, and a Biblical look at addiction and our sin nature. The Bible study is designed to be completed while the family’s loved one is in the initial months of residential recovery.

The second aspect of Exodos Families is one-on-one Christian counseling with a counselor. Many families live locally and can benefit from face-to-face counseling. However, for families who live far away, phone sessions are an available element to the healing process.

The third aspect of the Exodos Families ministry is our support group dedicated just to families who have a loved one in the program. Meetings are weekly, with a topic for the day and an opportunity for discussion. The entire Exodos Families ministry is designed to address, biblically, the tough issues that individuals face when in relationship with a person bound in life-dominating addictions.

Our desire is to come alongside families and encourage their personal growth and freedom in the process of their loved one’s recovery. We draw strength from knowing that while our power is not sufficient to change the lives of the one we love, we and our loved ones have access to the “incomparable great power” that is available to “those who believe” in Christ Jesus. After all, Christ is in the business of bringing new life to those who are ready to die to the old life. He brings “...beauty instead of ashes...gladness instead of mourning and ...a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Faith Family covenants are an imperative part of the Exodos Ministries Program. Participation in the Exodos Ministries program includes the establishment of family covenants with a faithful, committed local church. The covenant consists of a twelve month period of accountability and fellowship with members of a local church body. The Faith Family Covenant is an agreement in the Lord between three parties — Exodos Ministries, the resident and his family and the local church. The covenant is the instrument used to establish goals and objectives that enable the resident, his family and the accountability partners to track the progress made over the period of time that the covenant is in effect. Spiritual, circumstantial, and relational objectives are established so that the individuals have a plan of action in maintaining his/her walk with the Lord in the context of the local church.

The Faith Family Covenant (for married men) is designed for married couples and their children to be accountable to other married couples and their families in the church for discipleship and fellowship over a no less than twelve month period. It includes an individual covenant for the resident, and their spouse in addition to combined goals and commitments to improve their marriage and family through growing spiritually as a part of the body of Christ.

The Faith Family Covenant (for single men) is designed for single men and any family members who plan to be a part of the residents healing while in the program and after graduation. Any single man entering Exodos with the intention of returning to the family environment he came from must enlist the covenant support of at least one family member to enter the program. The Exodos resident and his voluntary family member must covenant to be accountable to a local family of faith for discipleship and fellowship over a twelve month period. The covenant includes an individual covenant for the resident and supporting family members with goals and commitments to improve their personal spiritual relationship with Christ.

Our desire in the establishment of Faith Family Covenants between residents, their families and the church is to insure that the growth, commitment and discipleship established during the program continues for the graduate and his family as they become an active part of the larger family of faith in the body of Christ.

“Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me” - Matthew 25:40

The following is a list that you can do in working with a man on our waiting list. We understand that many who are waiting may not desire to be helped during this time. In that case, you will not need to do anything but pray that the Lord bring them to the end of themselves. However, if you encounter a man who asks to be helped while waiting to enter, these guidelines will empower you to influence the life of this man for eternity.

• Assess the Physical needs. The applicant may have certain health issues (medical/dental) that may need to be taken care of prior to entrance into this recovery ministry. If he has been employed and needs to support his family, he may need to apply for disability while seeking help. You can suggest to him that he explore what the options are. You do not have to take him to these appointments; just make him aware of the resources available. (Taking responsibility for getting himself ready to enter is important.)

• Begin to assess the spiritual needs. Many applicants may not know the Lord. This presents a great opportunity to lead him and/or his family into a saving knowledge of Christ. Exodos Ministries offers materials about repentance and what it means to be “born again.” the applicant can call us and we will send them to him while waiting. You can then help him answer the questions in the study and perhaps assign any follow-up material you desire.

• Be alert to certain ‘red flags’ that may indicate manipulation or a ‘con-artist.’

• Someone too good to be true

• Pushiness or demanding

• Rejects any proposed solution or offer of help.

• Circumstances unclear or unable to be confirmed. o Guilt manipulation

• Failure to keep appointments and other obligations o Victim syndrome “everyone else’s fault but theirs.”

• Begin assembling a group of men to help in ministering to the applicant. People struggling with life- dominating sins usually require a lot of time and attention. It is good if you can get a number of men from the church to help in ministering to the applicant while on the waiting list. Accountability, encouragement and mentor relationships are essential at this time.

• Be a good steward of your time, money and resources.

• As a rule, do not give money for those who ask

• Verify as much as possible the need of those to whom you give food, shelter, clothing or money.

• As much as possible, spend most of your time and resources helping those who are truly in need and willing to move forward in life.

• Don’t cast your pearls before swine (Mt. 7:6).

• Prepare yourself for battle with the true enemy, Satan.

• Ask God to give you a spirit of wisdom and discernment as to how you deal with an individual.

• Be a good student of human nature (1Thes. 5:14)

• Be a fruit inspector (Matt. 5:16-20).

• Be as gentle as a dove and as wise as a serpent (Matt. 10:16)

• Keep in mind that true love is giving a person what they need, not so much what they want.

• The most difficult yet necessary word anyone can hear is “NO.”

• Helping the applicant develop boundaries in his personal life and relationships will be necessary for his growth.

• Encourage yourself that broken people of the world are the very ones Jesus sought to minister to.

• You may see a side of humanity that is rarely seen.

• You are the channel of God’s grace to this man.

• Measure your success according to biblical standards, not the world’s

• Faithfulness – it’s not ability but availability

• Salt & Light – the less this person uses, the more evil is restrained in the earth.

• Lifting up Christ – He’s the reason for the work.

• Seed planting and watering

• Spiritual victories.

This list of guidelines is not exhaustive, but it may help give you some practical principles to implement in ministering to one who needs Jesus.

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when he raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 118-20

When a man is in bondage to drugs and/or alcohol, the whole family is taken into captivity in many ways. Healthy, happy families are often oppressed by the side effects of a father or son who feels helplessly chained to a cycle of destruction. Wives and children are often cut off from friendship and counsel by attempts to hide their private suffering. Exodos Ministries has a heart for families that want to be free at last. We understand that the whole family has suffered and the whole family needs healing which can only come through Christ Jesus. Exodos Families exists to minister into the lives of the family members of our men in recovery. Every step of the way, the families are actively involved in the recovery process for themselves, as well as, their husband, son, father or loved one. Through Bible studies, counseling and support group meetings, the focus for each family member is their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His sufficiency in all areas of life.