Those in Recovery Benefit from Jesus Advantage

The category is: "Addictions for $200."

The answer: God and human interaction. The question: What are the two most important components of recovery?

Pastor Rob Weatherholtz has never appeared on "Jeopardy!" But he does know a lot about recovery and addiction.

"We believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life," said Weatherholtz, the pastor of addiction, recovery and discipleship at Breakout Ministries. "Jesus is our advantage on the battlefield of life. Without Jesus Christ, you can do nothing. When we establish biblical principles, we walk with purpose in life. The most effective long-term solutions are connections and a relationship with Jesus Christ."

Weatherholtz is also the founder of Jesus Advantage, a recovery program administered through Breakout Ministries. Jesus Advantage will be commemorating five years of recovery, truth and changing lives during an upcoming celebration.

At 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, Jesus Advantage will host a fried chicken dinner at Breakout Ministries, 2400 Anita Court, Leola. The dinner, which is free to attend, will include all the fixings and sides.

To register for the event, please reach out to Weatherholtz at 717-629-0429.

"The meal will be a celebration of freedom and life," said Weatherholtz. "It will be a release from depression. We confront addiction, every addiction possible. The Lord can address that."

The celebratory meal will provide time for fellowship, announcements and testimonials from individuals who have been impacted by the Jesus Advantage recovery program. More than 100 individuals are expected to attend, including recovering addicts, Breakout Ministries staff members and ministers from churches, all from across Lancaster County.

Jesus Advantage's tag line is "Get free and stay free."

"We want to be a resource in the community," said Weatherholtz. "We want to be an in-road to healthy living. It doesn't matter where (participants) are from; they're God's children. (Jesus Advantage is) a place to find rest and peace. You can get a hot meal and a shower and be around people who care."

Staff members and participants in the Jesus Advantage program meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays at Breakout Ministries. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the meetings include prayer, discussion and a biblically focused message. Snacks and refreshments are served.

Typically, between 40 to 50 individuals struggling with addictions show up for the meetings.

"They're the people Jesus would've been treating," said Weatherholtz. "They're the people Jesus would've ministered to. We're doing what Jesus would've done."

"Eighty percent of all incarcerated males came out of fatherless homes," continued Weatherholtz. "We teach people to heal from trauma."

After spending some time in jail, Weatherholtz has been leading a recovery lifestyle for nearly 20 years now. In 2020, Ron Buch, senior pastor at Breakout Ministries, suggested that Weatherholtz start a faith-based recovery program at Breakout.

Not only did he accept the appointment, Weatherholtz ran with it. Jesus Advantage has positively affected the lives of hundreds of people struggling with addictions.

"Jesus has been transforming the lives of people who are willing to listen for 2,000 years," said Weatherholtz. "Jesus Advantage helps 100% of the people who stick with it. There are so many people out there who need help. We'd like to go and train other churches that are interested in holding their own Jesus Advantage meetings. We'd like to see this expand."

Jesus Advantage is one of a handful of programs sponsored by Breakout Ministries, which was founded in the mid 1980s. Also offered are a Lancaster County Prison ministry, a spiritual boot camp, ministry training, a Go Africa ministry and the Leola Discipleship House.

"Breakout is a very spirit-filled church. It's definitely an outreach church," said Weatherholtz. "Breakout Ministries' mission is to awake people to what Jesus offers. God's on the move at Breakout Ministries. God's on the move in Lancaster County. He's using ministries to set the captives free. I want to see families restored and lives restored."

For additional information, go to http://www.breakoutministries.org.

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