The Charleston Recovery Center, a division of God’s House of Hope, will conduct a ribbon-cutting dedication and open house event Friday from 5-7 p.m. at 30104 Highway 32, east of Charleston.
The public is invited to view the new facilities, meet staff and learn more about the "Christian discipleship training program for people with drug, alcohol or emotional issues."
Refreshments will be served during the two-hour “come and go” event.
The Charleston residential treatment and recovery center will be operated by God’s House of Hope of Kilmichael through a lease agreement with City on a Hill Ministries, a Tallahatchie County-based nonprofit governed by a local board of directors.
The City on a Hill Ministries’ board is comprised of president Ed Hargett, vice president Ray Clolinger, secretary/treasurer Joe May, John Ball Burnett, Jimmy Fly, Ken Gregory, Perry Herron, Sedrick Smith Sr., Jimmie Stennett and Lance Tennyson. The late Mike Callender, who died March 22, also was a member of the board.
God’s House of Hope is a nonprofit organization that operates recovery centers in Kilmichael and Nettleton, and in Clinton, Alabama.
“They bring the expertise necessary to successfully reach those in need of alcohol and drug recovery/rehabilitation,” according to a March 19 letter from Charleston Recovery Center’s board. “Their program requires a long-term commitment to live in their facilities for at least eight months. Initially, they will be offering lodging to men only, but the other three locations do offer programs for men and women, so now the women in our area will have a recovery option that we did not have to offer before. Eventually, plans will be to have a facility for women on our Charleston property as well.”
A sign on Highway 32 east of Charleston marks the entrance to the Charleston Recovery Center grounds. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
In addition to Friday’s open house, First Baptist Church of Charleston will facilitate a special service Sunday, April 7, at 9 a.m., conducted by 40 residents and staff from God’s House of Hope.
“You will hear powerful testimonies of how God has used God’s House of Hope to save lives and reunite families,” noted the Recovery Center board’s letter, sent to prayer partners and financial supporters. “You will be moved by what God is doing!”
The First Baptist service will conclude in time for members of other churches to attend their own services, the letter said, “or you can stay and join us in the church fellowship hall as we share a meal and talk around the tables with these young men and women who have been touched by the grace of God.”
Directors urged the public to attend the open house and/or church service to familiarize themselves with the offerings of the center.
“You need to be informed and inspired by God’s movement in this ministry so you can share information with other families who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction,” they wrote.
The letter stated that “no applicant will be turned away because of lack of funding,” and said donations for the center may be addressed to Charleston Recovery Center, P.O. Box 1166, Charleston, MS 38921, or Charleston Recovery Center, 30104 Mississippi Highway 32, Charleston, MS 38921.
“The building construction phase is now complete, but the Charleston Recovery Center will still need financial support from the good people of Tallahatchie County,” the directors wrote.
