Masterpiece Ministries announced that they were postponing their scheduled banquet that was set for May 2, but would reschedule the event later, either this summer or early fall. The event was scheduled to take place at the Lake Ouachita Baptist Church and had anticipated drawing around 250 people to the banquet.
Brent Furr, founder of the group said, “We’ve talked to a lot of people about what we are trying to do here in Montgomery County and Western Arkansas and a lot of people are on board including some very influential people in government. Though we are not asking for government funds we want to work with the state in a joint effort to combat drug and alcohol addiction that has become so devastating to our society. People in government know the cost, they know the cost of treatment and in some cases incarceration. Businesses know the cost to their labor force and unemployment, and we know the cost to our families and children. That is why it is going to take a total effort of our entire community to beat this.”
Masterpiece Ministries is planning on acquiring a facility in the area that could house up to 20 women in the first phase of operation and then expand as needs arise. Their plans are to do what the We Can Ministries has done in other parts of the state and that is to open non-profit long-term treatment facilities wherever they can and then staff them. We Can Ministries, which was started by Dr. Larry Pillow, has acquired and leased churches that weren’t in operation any longer and then staffed the facilities with women who have graduated from the program and are helping others.
Furr said, “Right now we are in need of volunteers and are looking at our options to obtain a facility. By volunteers, we need all sorts of people to be involved. We will need people to help maintain the premise, people to assist in transportation, we could use things like a van. We could use all sorts of donations and it will be tax deductible. There is a lot to be done when you build a recovery facility so there is a place for anyone who wants to get involved.”
Masterpiece Ministries often cites as a catalyst to build a recovery center a recent national report that said Arkansas was Number One in Methamphetamine. “We knew the numbers were high, but the national reports only confirmed what we already knew. We have seen drug addiction affect nearly every family in our community. We see it everywhere, and if it hasn’t affected your family, it has your neighbors or friends. We have two choices, do nothing and let it get worse or take action to beat it. We are looking for those that want to take action.”
The group asked that people that want to get involved do so by calling 870-681-1945 or 870-490-0630 or go to their website Masterpieceministriesar.org.
