Our culture is being ravaged by substance abuse and addictions.  Numerous reports, statistics, books, and news articles reflect this fact. 

Statistics show that 70% of our abused and neglected children have parents who abuse substances.  About 80% of prison inmates in the U.S. describe problems with substance abuse.  There are about 950 substance abuse-affected people on probation in the Eastern Idaho judicial district where we are located. Most of us reading these words know someone in our families or close circle of friends who do or have struggled with substance abuse.

There is considerable evidence that Christian discipleship and relationships are effective in transforming addicts who want to change into healthy spiritual and social persons.  The Christian Church is uniquely gifted to meet this need.  However, there are few Christian discipleship addiction recovery opportunities in Eastern Idaho.

The Genesis Organization

A group of Christians started meeting in October 2007 to discuss details about the need mentioned above, share a vision of how the Christian community can meet that need, and determine if there is an interest in meeting that need.  An Advisory Board, representing eight different local Christian churches, began meeting in November 2007 to move forward with establishing a non-profit agency.   A Board of Directors has been formed and the organization was incorporated as “Genesis Ministries” in mid 2008.  Genesis Ministries is an IRS tax-exempt organization.