Anniston couple helps addicts find new lives

Tim and Kim Morgan understand the obstacles of defeating alcohol and drug addiction and use their firsthand experience in the New Wine Ministry of Hill Crest Baptist Church in Anniston.
   
“I drank alcohol heavily (for 15 years) and drug use was a part of my drinking,” Tim said.
   
It was Tim’s father, Jack Morgan, that helped Tim hold to his commitment to stay sober and follow Christ. Jack Morgan is pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Jacksonville. “My Dad is my hero because he is a pillar of strength and always stands by his convictions,” Tim said.  
   
Tim started attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in 2000 and met Kim, a functional alcoholic for 20 years. Tim said it was their friendship, common faith in Christ and commitment to remain sober that led them to marriage in February 2000.
   
In August of their newlywed year, after hearing an alcoholic speak on the concept of “new wine” taken from Mark 2:22, the substance abuse recovery ministry took root at Hill Crest Baptist Church with the Morgans leading the growth.
   
With a starting group of four members attending weekly Thursday meetings, the group today averages 30 people battling alcohol and narcotic drug addiction.
   
Kim said the mission of New Wine is to change lives.
   
“The ministry strives to lead people to Christ, disciple, restore family relationships, assist in education and job training and ultimately restore the individual in society with a vision to fulfill God’s purpose in their life,” she said. “We believe that if people are taught to follow the footsteps of the Master, drugs and alcohol will cease to be a problem.” 
   
Pastor Rick Reaves says the role of the church is vital to changing lives and completely supports New Wine.
    
“I believe that we have been invaded by substances and the abuse of them and it is the church’s responsibility to reach out to these people and love them in Christ,” he said.
   
Reaves believes Tim and Kim are able to speak directly to addicts because of their own experience and credits that experience for the success of the program.
   
“They have been there and they know how to communicate to people. That is what serving the Lord is all about. You take your past and use it for the kingdom of God,” he said.
   
New Wine opened two recovery houses in 2002, one for men and one for women. The future includes a vision to open facilities to house 100 people, to be self-sustaining and to operate with a full-time staff.