MANSFIELD – Addicts are encouraged to “break the chain” of addiction during a spiritual service on Friday evening.
A number of local agencies are hosting a “Break The Chains” impact service at Light & Life Campground at 1246 Lucas Rd. at 7 p.m. on Friday evening. The goal of the evening is to help those in need in the community fight the battle against addiction.
“We know we have a huge drug problem going on in this area right now,” said Justin Crank, organizer of the service. “We’re trying to have resources here and inspire folks that there are other things you can turn to other than using.”
Crank is part of the musical quartet “The GloryWay” that will be performing on Friday evening. Other local agencies involved include Richland Pregnancy Services, Come To The Well biblical counseling center, Starfish, Upper Room, Reformer’s Unanimous, Love Inc., and Reaching Out.
However, the main event comes with Evangelist Jim McComas and his words for those in the community who may be suffering through addiction themselves, or the addictions of a loved one. McComas lost his son to addiction just this past February.
“I was on the phone with him hours before he passed away,” McComas said. “That struggle was very real. So I feel it brings purpose to the whole thing – he wanted to help other people, and I feel like we’re doing this together.”
Using his own heart-wrenching story, McComas brings to light the problem of addiction and brings a message of hope not only to the addict themselves, but to their friends, family, community and church family that surround them.
“I wanted to honor his memory but also tell the truth,” McComas said. “Especially in the churches, people are afraid to talk about it. Part of the chains we want to break are the chains of silent in the church.”
McComas hopes to convey to addicts that God’s love will prevail, and that their mistakes are no greater or worse than anyone else’s. To the families of addicts, he wants to encourage them they are not bad people and are doing the best they can. To those ignorant about the struggles of addiction, he hopes to bring education. And to potential addicts, he hopes to encourage them never to start.
“It is playing Russian roulette with your life to try an illicit drug even one time,” McComas said.
“This is a relevant message for all, even those who have not yet been touched personally by addiction, as it brings with it a clearer understanding of addiction, hope for recovery and the promise of a new life in Christ,” the “Break The Chains” event states on Facebook.
According to Crank, the community agencies involved at Friday’s service were excited to make a difference, and especially to hear McComas speak. For Crank himself, a Mansfield native, the need for such an event came into focus last fall.
“I was called to serve on a Grand Jury in Richland County, and I was overwhelmed with all the drug and drug-related things that came through there,” he said. “It really opened my eyes and I wanted to do something to help.”
McComas also has seen the need for this service locally, as he used to pastor in Northeastern Ohio and now speaks across the country.
“Ohio is ground zero for this problem,” he said. “There isn’t any better place in America that needs this more.”
The “Break The Chains” impact service will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, and is free to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, and concessions will be available.
Crank hopes that those in attendance on Friday will leave with a feeling of encouragement and hope.
“Hope for the future, and to know there are people out there that care,” he said. “We want them to know there are folks who do care.”
