Healing addiction through ministry

Two religious organizations in eastern New Mexico — one returning to Portales after a long absence and one in Clovis continuing work — share the same purpose: Healing.

The Celebrate Recovery program is returning to Portales at First Baptist Church. Portales resident Vicki Bannister is heading the program with her family.

Bannister said she attended programs for the recovery ministry in Clovis after looking for programs locally to help her son overcome addiction.

"Through this program, we have learned it's not just for people who have drug addiction. It is for anybody who has any hurt or habit. It provides a safe place," said Bannister.

Bannister said First Baptist is supporting her and her family with the recovery ministry all the way.

"It's a group of people that want the same goal, and it is healing," said Bannister. "I like seeing the revival. Everybody just joining together and just coming together."

The weekly program starts at First Baptist Church in Portales at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Samaritan House in Clovis is also getting ready for 2017, looking to host five residents with the hopes of expanding to add more within the next few months while also hoping to open a separate women's facility in a year.

The non-profit organization aims to reach out to those facing homelessness, unemployment and addiction by collaborating with local churches, Junctions and Mental Health Resources in order to give those in need a place to stay, according to founder and CEO Curtis Brewer.

"We use Christian principles to reach people in the world and do work in the community," said Brewer, who started the Good Samaritan Inc. organization in California in 1974. "Anybody can fall through the cracks. All of our clients are connected with mental help. We connect them to healing resources."

Brewer, who started the program in Clovis in 2007, said he does ministry work in the Curry County Adult Detention Center, as a means to give those who are not serious felons a chance to rehabilitate.

Board member Bonetta Hutson said the program helps people who may have no other place to go get back on their feet.

"As Christians, we all believe and have seen through our lives that Christ is the only way we can get off our feet," said Hutson.

Some members have overcome their own personal struggles, and their experiences influence how they approach working with those who need help.

"I'm familiar with being rebuilt. The Lord blessed me from the ground up," said Secretary and Treasurer Jacqueline Brewer, wife of Curtis. "Somebody was praying for me. My ancestors were praying, praying. They never put me down."

House Manager and counselor Ronald Archie is a graduate of the Samaritan House program.

"I'll do whatever for these people what they did for me," said Archie. "Whether I'm up on my feet or down in the dirt, I'll do whatever. You don't want to go back that way (with addiction). The way I did it was through Christ."

Program Manager Joshua Hutson, husband of Bonetta, has done similar work with New Path Ministries in Albuquerque.

"For me, that one-on-one communication with people, you have to teach people how to live," said Joshua Hutson. "This is a passion of mine. I love this when you've seen what Christ can do with your life."

For more information on the Samaritan House, contact Curtis Brewer at 575-219-2670 or Joshua Hutson at 575-265-8676.