Oasis Church In Oxford Working To Give Addicts A Second Chance Through Christ

Drug addiction is a problem that is sweeping our country, and it’s difficult to find anyone who hasn’t been affected by it in some way. This is why Oasis Church, an inter-faith church in Oxford is partnering with Transformations, a residential rehabilitation service aimed at giving addicts a second chance through a faith-based 12-month program. The transformation began in Australia and has expanded to eight locations with a success rate of 85 percent.

“This program has been developed over 18 years; it’s the real deal,” Pastor Dave Reeves said. “If you’re going to have eight out of 10 people come out this, and not return to their old lifestyle..then we’ve really accomplished something.”

The program is centered around the teachings of the Bible, and giving addicts a way to find Christ while finding their way back from a place that many, sadly, never recover from. On Transformation’s website, the mission of the program is stated.

“We are ultimately committed to seeing clients within our care restored to wholeness and freedom from dependence upon any Person, Behavior, Chemical or Destructive pattern of thinking and returning them to dependence upon their God.”

The program will be broken up into four quarters, two of which will be focused on teachings, assignments and living in close quarters with one another. The second half will allow members to be a part of a work study program to reacclimate them to society with the assistance of local business. Money earned will be placed in an account that will be accessible for members for when they graduate from the program, so they are set up with resources when they are out of the program. The program is designed to rehabilitate its members through its message, not punish them for their past. When complete, Transformations will be an option in certain first offender cases, but will be open to anyone looking to receive treatment.

“Transformation is all about putting people in a truly Christian environment that will disciple them, raise them up and send them out,”  Reeves said. “When they hit bottom, any help they get is appreciated, and they look at this as a second chance at life. If it was my kids, and they had a choice, I’d want them to go to a place that will build their faith, and last time I checked that’s not what penitentiaries do.”

Transformation Hall in Oasis Church, which will be renovated and eventually house the members of the transformation program.

Oasis is currently sending the leaders of the program to be trained by Transformation members over in Australia. The partnership will not end once the branch gets started, as leaders from Australia will come over the course of the first year and continue to offers support as the program is put into place.

Oasis Church is currently renovating their Transformation Hall that will house up to 30 members. The hall will function as a true living space for the members of the program. Meals will be provided, jobs will be given to members inside the church including cooks, cleaning, landscape and other jobs that teach skills that will be useful to members when they can start their work study or after they leave the program. A plan is in place for an eventual expansion of the hall to double the capacity of the program. The program is hoping to begin in the spring of 2017.

Another thing that separates Transformation from other rehabilitation programs is its costs. Reeves and Transformations don’t allow high costs to stand in the way of helping people get clean and get their lives back. While there are many denominations of Christianity, the fact that Oasis is an inter-faith church allows one fact to remain in every scenario.

“Truth is truth, no matter what church you’re in,” Reeves said. “We want to give people the chance to turn their lives around, and Transformation gives them that chance through the word of the Lord.”

Funding for the program will continue with banquets and benefits over the next few months. Oasis Church will be hosting their annual Harvest Festival this Friday, October 28, at 6 p.m. with games, food and fun. Admission is free, and any donations will be put toward the Transformation program.

For more about Transformation, visit their website.

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.

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