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Jonesville residents Nathan and Pat Sumner credit Greenwood’s Faith Home with saving the life of their daughter Jessica. Jessica was an honors student in high school who earned a scholarship, but a drug problem led her to an overdose several years ago.

“Our daughter overdosed and about died,” Pat said. “We looked everywhere for help, and while she was in the hospital for detox, we found out about Faith Home. The doctor released her to go straight into Faith Home.”

Faith Home is a Christian rehabilitation center for alcoholics and drug addicts. It is based on the fundamental belief that solutions to problems caused by drugs and alcohol can be found through faith in God. The Executive Director of Faith Home is Aline Barnes, who turned 79 on June 21. As the wife of co-founder Danny W. Barnes, Executive Director Emeritus, Mrs. Barnes has been active in Faith Home for the last 40 years — since its creation in 1966. She was elected as Executive Director due to Mr. Barnes’ illness, retirement and subsequent death.

Originally serving 14 men in Greenwood, Faith Home was founded by Danny W. Barnes, Aline Barnes and Rex McCravy, and it has provided more than four decades of Christian addiction rehabilitation and recovery to over 20,000 men and women. A multi-year recipient of the United Way’s Agency of the Year award, Faith Home has grown to include three recovery homes in Greenwood, Abbeville and Spartanburg. Faith Home is non-profit, non-sectarian and relies solely on outside contributions and donations. The home has been consistently recognized by the United Way and other agencies for the contributions and commitment to successfully providing a Christian faith-based recovery program.

THE PROGRAM

Faith Home provides services to men and women who are addicted to alcohol and drugs and seek recovery and help from that addiction as well as Christian principles. The program is simple, yet it is the answer with the majority of cases. A man or woman is provided with a separated life for eight weeks, close to nature and away from unsettling influences. By studying and working with others like themselves, Faith Home residents can begin to understand the basic truths of life and why they have faltered along the way.

The work is spiritual. Bible study, daily morning devotions, and regular church services are the heart of the program.

The eight-week Christian rehabilitative program is based on the fundamental belief that solutions to drug and alcohol abuse can be found through faith in God along with the 12-step programs of Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon.

There is physical work to be done at the homes, and each resident is expected to cooperate by doing their share. By living, studying and working together in an atmosphere of christian love and understanding, alcoholics and addicts can find themselves.

Faith Home continues to be a leader among its addiction recovery program peers in its success rate of program graduates who maintain abstinence and sobriety. The men and women at Faith Home come from all different socio-economic backgrounds, races, age groups and religions from all over the United States. Each resident comes in voluntarily searching for a better way of life, free from the bondage of drugs and alcohol. The non-denominational program encourages each man and each woman to develop his or her own personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The work regime and Christian study, combined with the peaceful setting, allow residents time to reevaluate their lives and begin to understand why they have faltered along the way. The home is dedicated to the purpose of leading the addicted to victory through Jesus Christ and to show the resident that there is still hope and love if you have faith in Christ. The residents are involved in a daily work program called “Physical Therapy” which includes garden and yard work, kitchen work, house cleaning, keeping their room clean, general maintenance and upkeep of the facility and grounds.

Faith Home amenities and activities provide opportunities for fitness, individual and team play and spiritual healing. Residents can enjoy basketball, hiking, fishing, weight room, ping-pong, foosball, choir and local community service engagements.

Residents also participate in community volunteer activities such as the food bank, Faces of Poverty at the Greenwood Museum, and choir services to local nursing homes, churches, and numerous United Way functions. Faith home also provides speakers for Teen To Teen held at Greenwood High School and many other civic projects that may arise.

The Sumners say their daughter is now doing well as a participant in a rehab program which allows her more independence. She is also working and supporting herself. The help she received from Faith Home has led her parents to become two of the facility’s biggest supporters.

Nathan Sumner is a member of the Faith Home Activities Committee and helps plan various events to raise money for the home. Upcoming events include a golf tournament and “Christmas in July,” which is set for July 29 at Northside Baptist Church in Greenwood.

One of the Sumners’ favorite things about the Faith Home is the Almost Famous Faith Home Choir. Nathan said he is amazed every time he watches Barnes lead the choir.

“That choir is out of this world,” he said, mentioning that the choir often performs at churches and people’s homes and never charges a fee.

The members of the choir change every eight weeks, the same as Faith Home residents, but the Sumners say that it never affects the wonderful sound.

“You wouldn’t believe it,” Pat said. “You would think everyone that goes in there is musically gifted.”

The Sumners also said their experience with the Faith Home taught them about addiction. They realized that the addiction becomes the center of the victim’s life, leaving loved ones with their responsibilities.

“I always thought it was something you wanted to do, but it really is a disease,” Nathan said. “People go the wrong way, and they need some kind of help.”

Faith Home is funded by donations, churches, the facility’s gardens and several thrift shops.

Faith Home’s Thrift Operations receive donated items on a daily basis and are open to the public Monday through Saturday. This, along with other financial contributions, provides funding to support Faith Home and the cost of maintaining the facility and providing rehabilitative services at no cost to the residents or their families.

Nathan proudly displayed a framed poem given to him by his daughter. The same poem is displayed behind the pulpit at the Faith Home chapel, and is as follows:

The Forgiven

Do you know the joy of being forgiven?

Through forgiveness the arms of Jesus lift you, His blood cleanses you and His love changes you. It is His free gift to you. Turn your heart toward Jesus. Pray to receive Him and His forgiveness by faith today…

He will come into your heart and make all things new.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

For more information, visit www.faithhomegwd.net.