It has been several years since Good News Ministries has been able to operate its Family Shelter ministry, due to our Director retiring after his wife passed away. But we are praising the Lord that He has allowed us to once again minister to adult ladies who are struggling with life-dominating sins.

A few weeks ago a new partnership began between Good News and Bobbi Hookfin, founder of Recovering Life, a weekly program that offers Biblical solutions to women struggling with sinful habits and poor choices.

The program meets on Tuesday evenings in our Family Shelter group meeting space and is free to participants. Starting on April 2nd, from four to eight women, ages 20-60, have gathered for the weekly meetings where they confront the source of their problems and learn practical Biblical solutions. Program director Bobbi Hookfin explained that some are dealing with alcohol and drug addictions but for most the issues run much deeper.

“They have relational problems, financial problems, mommy-daddy issues, children in DCS (Department of Child Services) and criminal records which keep them from getting jobs or a job that they could do well,” she said. “It’s all about brokenness and addictions and healing hurts. If you’re healing your hurt you’re usually healing your addiction, too.”

The Recovering LIFE program addresses what Hookfin calls the “ABCs” of recovery:

• Things we must Admit: Having a problem–brokenness is caused by sin–taking ownership of choices–God can set me free
• Things we must Believe: A relationship with God can only be restored through faith in Jesus Christ and is the basis for all lasting change in our lives–growth in God’s Word and His Spirit within me conquers sin and gives victory over the flesh
• Things we must Change: Fleshly attitudes and relationships while committing to God and His way

“We talk about God and we talk about sin,” Bobbi said. “We work on the heart and then the rest will come. As the Bible says, seek first the kingdom of God and all this will follow.”

Bobbi founded Recovering LIFE in 2016 after sensing God’s call while finishing a master’s degree in counseling. She served in a few counseling programs through her church and other organizations, and began volunteering as a tutor at the Good News Youth Center. It was that connection that led to Good News offering Bobbi a permanent location for Recovering LIFE. The partnership is working well in its initial few weeks and lives are being transformed, not just emotionally but, especially, spiritually.

“The women have to want to know the Healer more than the healing,” Bobbi said. “We want them to have a little heaven on earth.”