Few churches or pastors in Lawrence County remain untouched by the growing drug abuse that harms numerous families and individuals in our communities.

It is often frustrating for pastors and churches to help people who are drug-addicted. Many people need more intense and longer-term care than local congregations are able to provide.

Churches often lack the tools they need to deal with drug addiction. Additionally, most churches do not have people who are trained to deal with the drug-addicted.

However, an effort is being made to provide and coordinate local and regional help for pastors and churches who want to play a part in ministering to the addicted.

On Feb. 18, 2011, at 6:30 p.m., Missionary Baptist Evangelist Rick Skeens of Ashland, Ky., will conduct a meeting for pastors and churches at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, Ky. This meeting will focus on Christ centered recovery programs.

The meeting has two purposes. First, to bring together the churches of our community to focus on a common problem. Second, to show that there is healing for the people and communities who have been hurt or broken by drug addiction.

It is also the desire of Rev. Skeens and those participating to help pastors and churches in Lawrence County develop a drug abuse information and assistance center to which all churches may direct those who seek for help in dealing with drug addiction.

This information center would be able to direct people to a variety of Christ-centered ministries for the drug addicted.

This could be a great tool to help Lawrence County churches minister to the addicted and their families.

Several guest speakers are scheduled for the meeting. The meeting will be guest hosted by Pastor Chuck Lawrence from Christ Temple in Huntington, W.Va. The musical group “His Own” will sing and lead in worship.

Johnathan Hughes from Russell First Baptist will tell about the “Celebrate Recovery” program. Jo Anna Krohn who runs “Solace” (Surviving Our Loss and Continuing Everyday) in the Portsmouth area and who lost a son in a drug deal gone bad will speak.

Mickey Thomas who leads “Golden Girls,” a ministry to neglected and abused girls, will speak about unity in the body of Christ. Evangelist Rick Skeens will also speak. The television show “Intervention” will be present to film the meeting.

We invite you and congregational representatives to attend and help make a difference for Lawrence County.

For more information please contact Rick Skeens at 606-585-3765.

Pastor Darrell N. Ford serves Trinity Assembly of God in Coal Grove. He can be reached at (740) 534-8704.