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In this episode, David Nakhla speaks with Dr. Jim Berry, an elder at Reformation OPC in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at WVU’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. He’s joined by Mr. Rob Guss, an elder at Calvary OPC in Glenside, Pennsylvania, who shares his powerful testimony of God’s grace in delivering him from addiction.

Addiction brings with it deep brokenness. It can consume a family’s resources and, when discovered, often brings added pressure to the household—resulting in broken relationships, sadness, confusion, and other diaconal needs.

This conversation hopes to equip deacons to better understand how to walk alongside those caught in addiction—emphasizing the importance of presence, listening, and long-term counsel. A practical case study at the end offers a real-world scenario, guiding deacons through how to respond when someone confesses a struggle with addiction. The episode reminds listeners that while the path may be long and difficult, deacons are privileged to come alongside those suffering with lasting hope through the love of Christ.

Referenced in this episode:

Flesh and Thorn: Understanding Addiction as Disease Dr. James Berry; Ordained Servant June-July 2018

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Ministering to Those Struggling with Addiction