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Sunday Nights at Hope is Alive: Sober Living Done Differently

Hope is Alive

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Sunday Nights at Hope is Alive: Sober Living Done Differently

There’s something special about Sunday nights at Hope is Alive, and anyone who has ever spent one with us knows why.

Every Sunday night, our residents gather in their homes across the country to celebrate sobriety through stories of triumph and radical life change.

You’ll hear about milestones — days, months, and years of sobriety that once felt impossible. You’ll see men and women set goals and achieve them as they build a future they can be proud of. You’ll witness restoration happening in real time as families reconnect and residents light up with hope. And most importantly, you’ll feel the power of community.

We do sober living differently. There is no doubt about that.

So, What’s a Sunday Night Meeting Actually Like?

A lot of fun, obviously. Let us give you a glimpse.

The following recaps were written by our program managers and shared internally with all Hope is Alive staff so we could celebrate the wins, too. Now, we are sharing them with you. Well, two of 15+ plus!

Weatherford: Faith in Action

Welcome back to another Sunday night recap from Weatherford!

Speaker: Pastor Jeff

Meal Provided By: Leslie & Tommy Kirkpatrick

Alumni Present: Thomas M. & Matt B.

Goals:

Ryan is working on his credit
Turner got a pickup
Luke was baptized
Boots has stopped vaping

We also celebrated 20 months of sobriety with Aaron — a huge milestone!

Pastor Jeff brought a powerful message from Exodus 1:8, encouraging us to stay the course and live as the Church. He spoke about how, like the Israelites, we can face oppression, but when we stay in God’s will, those challenges can actually make us stronger.

One key point he highlighted was the faith of the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. Even when pressured to do wrong, they stood firm, feared God, and chose what was right. Their courage is a reminder that doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it matters.

Colorado Springs: Finding Hope

Our Sunday night meeting here in Colorado Springs was absolutely amazing! Huge thank you to the Finding Hope group for making it an incredible experience. They provided the food: shredded beef barbecue sandwiches, baked beans, chips and dip, and cookies & brownies. Alec Carper also joined us as our guest speaker.

Tonight we had a lot to celebrate. We started by introducing our two newest residents to the family, Jim and Dustin. Jim drove here from Indiana, and Dustin came from Texas. God is sending us some men hungry for radical life change, and we can’t wait to witness it. WELCOME HOME!

Then we jumped into sobriety milestones for the last week!

Jim: 3 months
Dustin: 1 month

After that, we celebrated some SMART goals we’ve achieved in the last week.

Dustin made it here safely.
Jim also made it here safely.
Andrew had to go back home to deal with some legal issues from years ago, spending four days in jail. While in there, he got three men to apply to the program, and one of them was accepted!!
Storm celebrated a GOD GOAL!! He saw his sister for the first time in four years, and had more restoration in his relationship with his mom.
Landry got a job.

Then we wrapped up our culture components with brag on a bro.

And finally, our speaker, Alec Carper, gave a word. Alec gave his testimony, explaining how he was terrorized by his weed addiction and tormented by demons for 10+ years. He was about to lose his marriage, had already lost his job, and had to make a choice: truly surrender to Christ or keep letting false idols run his life. Alec described how just three months ago, he made this decision. Since then, he has dived headfirst into casting demons from others, working on doing full-time deliverance. Here are some notes from his talk:

Faith grows through suffering.
Godliness is outward obedience.
The enemy will try to attack your mind to go for your heart to separate you as far from God as possible.
The enemy wants you on the bench, paralyzed with fear, unable to be a warrior for Christ.
Jesus is the only one who can fight your demons — not you.

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There is hope in the fight against addiction! There is hope for those in recovery, and there is hope for the families of addicts and alcoholics!

Different: How to Radically Change Your Life | Bible Reading Plan

Turning Prayer into Action: Equipping Churches with Addiction Recovery Resources

Turning Prayer into Action: Equipping Churches with Addiction Recovery Resources

After service, when most people are heading out and the room is starting to quiet down, someone walks forward for prayer.

They hesitate for a second before speaking.

“It’s not for me,” they say. “It’s for my son.”

Sometimes it’s a daughter. Sometimes a spouse. But the story is the same: Someone they love is caught in addiction, and they don’t know what to do.

So the church does what it knows to do. It gathers around them, places hands on their shoulders, and prays. But when the prayer ends, the person in need of help is often left wondering, “What now?”

For Felecia Athey, a leader at Journey Church in Kansas City, that question began to feel all too familiar.

“People don’t talk about addiction in church,” Felecia explained. “There’s a lot of shame and guilt, and you don’t always know who’s walking through it.”

After people started coming forward with their experiences with addiction, Felecia realized that Journey Church didn’t have clear next steps for anyone who needed them. Yes, the church could pray. But they didn’t have the resources to help people take the next step toward recovery.

That began to change when Felecia first encountered Hope is Alive.

At the time, their church wasn’t even looking for another local partner. They were already connected to several organizations in their community. But after learning more about the program, the decision came easily.

“After that first Sunday night meal, I was overwhelmed by the camaraderie of the women and how welcoming they were, inviting strangers into their journey and their struggle. The whole atmosphere and environment were like a big family, and I was shocked at how Jesus was always the focus and the answer to everything,” Felecia shared. “So, I asked God: What are we doing here? What does this look like for our church? Is this something you would want us to partner with?”

At first, she thought Hope is Alive would primarily be a way for Journey Church to have a bigger impact on the community through relationships and discipleship. What Felecia didn’t expect was how quickly Hope is Alive would become not just a place to serve but also a resource to lean on.

“I didn’t realize the value of having a resource like Hope is Alive,” she shared. “At first, I just saw it as another community partner — somewhere we could go, serve, and pour into others. But now I see that we actually have somewhere to point people when they need help.”

Just recently, two mothers reached out to Felecia looking for help for their children who were struggling with addiction. In the past, those conversations might have ended with prayer and encouragement, but little direction.

Because of Hope is Alive, though, Felecia was able to connect them with resources. Even if someone doesn’t qualify for Hope is Alive’s program, HIA still helps connect them to other places that might be able to help.

That’s when Felecia realized that this partnership wasn’t just about what Journey Church could give to Hope is Alive but also about what they now had to offer members of their congregation.

Today, Journey Church has a small but committed group actively involved with Hope is Alive’s recovery program — men going to the men’s home, women to the women’s home — building relationships, sharing meals, and stepping into stories they might never have encountered otherwise.

And through it all, Felecia has watched something powerful unfold inside the homes.

“The biggest impact for me is seeing the transformation,” she said. “Some of the women didn’t even have a relationship with Jesus before they came into the program. And now they’re discovering Him for the first time. It’s like watching someone become a new person.”

That transformation, both inside the homes and within the church, is what continues to affirm that this partnership was never accidental.

Finding Hope Podcast: Sober, Now What?

Becoming a Support Group Leader: Cindy’s Story

The Many Hats of Addiction

The Many Hats of Addiction

Have you ever found yourself wearing a hat that wasn’t yours? Maybe it didn’t quite fit, felt uncomfortable, or just wasn’t you. You spent the whole day adjusting it, feeling off balance, maybe even overwhelmed.

Now, think about that in the context of loving someone who struggles with addiction. How many “hats” have you picked up that were never yours to wear in the first place?

Let’s Talk About the Hats We Wear

When we love someone caught in addiction, it’s easy to slip into roles we were never meant to carry — roles like secretary, nurse, counselor, banker, shopper, sponsor, investigator, maid, boss, taxi driver… even trying to play the role of God.

How does it feel to wear all of those hats?
Why do we take them on?
Do we truly need to wear them?

Out of Position

If we’re wearing hats that God never gave us, we’re likely missing the one He did.

When we take on roles not designed for us, not only do we end up exhausted and frustrated, but we also prevent others — including our loved ones — from stepping into their God-given roles.

What roles in your life have been neglected or worn thin because you're carrying too much?
What responsibilities are you holding that someone else should be learning to handle?

Reclaiming God-Given Roles

“I am (loved one’s name)’s (your role: mom, son, wife, friend, etc.).”

What does that relationship look like when aligned with God’s vision?
What might shift in your life — and theirs — if you reclaimed the role God intended for you?

Your Role Matters

God chose you for this relationship. He made you their mom. Their wife. Their brother. Their son. That wasn’t an accident.

This week, ask Him for the strength to lay down the roles you were never meant to carry, and the wisdom to step boldly back into the one He created just for you.

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” 1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV

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For more information, visit:

FindingHope.Today

HopeAfterLoss.Today

Faith-based support groups for families of addicts and alcoholics.

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes: A Story of Faith, Family, and Finding Hope

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes: A Story of Faith, Family, and Finding Hope

We’ve all heard it time and time again: nothing changes if nothing changes. If something doesn’t prompt change, it simply won’t happen. Change doesn’t occur by accident, and it doesn’t come from wishing or waiting. Real change only begins when someone takes action.

The idea of evoking change isn’t new — but sometimes we need a reminder of how change actually works, and what role we play in making it happen. Change is limitless, but it’s rarely instantaneous. And while we can’t control everything, we can choose how we respond, how we grow, and how we move forward.

For families battling the effects of addiction, this kind of change is essential. When a loved one struggles, it can feel like life is stuck on repeat. Moments of heartbreak, confusion, hope, and disappointment happen again and again. It’s easy to feel powerless.

But you aren’t powerless. You have the power to shift the environment, your mindset, and your approach.

That reminder was a great relief to Barry and Gina Copeland.

Living with Addiction

For over 15 years, their family faced the heartbreaking challenge of their son Kyle’s battle with alcoholism. While watching him struggle to gain sobriety, Barry and Gina came to the realization that not only did Kyle need support, but they needed support as well. They were carrying deep pain, fear, and exhaustion, and they could no longer do it alone.

It was at this point in time that they connected with one of Hope is Alive’s support groups, Finding Hope. The road to Finding Hope wasn’t immediate. Like many families, Barry and Gina tried other support groups that didn’t quite click. There were groups where they felt misunderstood, disconnected, or even more discouraged. But then came Hope is Alive’s Finding Hope program, a support group designed specifically for the loved ones of addicts. There, they found not just tools and insight, but comfort. They weren’t alone anymore. There were others who understood the sleepless nights, the unanswered prayers, and the ache of watching someone you love suffer.

“It can be easy to be disappointed in yourself, be disappointed in God… Am I not praying hard enough? Do I not have enough faith? That's what Finding Hope has really brought — that clarity… this is our role in this.” —Gina Copeland

Faith Over Fear

The message of Finding Hope that resonated with Barry and Gina most is simple but powerful: nothing changes if nothing changes. As Gina says in the video, hearing those words and living those words are very different things, but if you cling to your faith and trust in God, you will get through it.

In Finding Hope, Barry and Gina found a new perspective: their role was not to fix Kyle. As much as they longed for his transformation, they realized they couldn’t want change more than he did. What they could do was care for their own hearts, lean more fully into their faith, and trust God with the outcome. That was the change they could make, and it made all the difference.

Watch the video above to see how Barry and Gina’s story is a powerful reminder that hope, healing, and peace are possible for families of addicts.

Faith Stronger Than Addiction | Bible Reading Plan

Hope is Alive’s Alumni Association Funds a Night Out

Fun in Sobriety: Hope is Alive’s Alumni Association Funds a Night Out

This past March, Hope is Alive alumni from nearly every market stepped away from their usual routines to simply have fun together.

Instead of a traditional meeting format, alumni gathered for a coordinated “Fun Night” across the country. The goal was simple: create space for connection and laughter.

Each market brought its own unique flavor to the evening:

Greenville, NC: A group steak dinner
Crystal Coast, NC: Axe throwing
Tulsa, OK: Pickleball
Oklahoma City and Weatherford, OK: Bowling
Wichita, KS & Kansas City, MO: Topgolf
DFW, TX: Go-kart racing

Food and activities were fully covered by the Alumni Association, allowing attendees to simply show up, enjoy themselves, and participate at whatever level they felt comfortable, whether that meant diving into competition or just catching up with friends.

Many alumni shared that they needed a night like this, and that it was a lot more fun than they expected. There was no formal agenda, no structured programming — just fun in sobriety. And of course, there was some friendly competition mixed in.

From pickleball in Tulsa to bowling in Oklahoma City and Weatherford to Topgolf in Wichita and Kansas City, the competitive side definitely came out. And it wasn’t just the guys! The women showed up and showed out, too. Whether they knew how to play or not, everyone jumped in, laughed a lot, and made the most of it.

Brie Enterline, an alumnus since 2024, shared, “I love alumni outings because I get to be around my people and have fun! I get to see everyone's personalities and how they grow from one month to the next!”

And she’s not alone in this sentiment! There are countless alumni who look forward to these outings.

For a lot of people, it’s something different than what they expected recovery to look like. Nights like this challenge the idea that life in sobriety is boring or limited. Instead, it shows that it can actually be FUN.

It also gives alumni a chance to build deeper, and sometimes brand new, relationships. The same people they once sat next to in meetings or walked through the program with are now their teammates, their competition, or the ones keeping everyone laughing between turns. And beyond that, it brings together alumni from every season of Hope is Alive — those who graduated the program eight years ago and those who graduated six months ago.

“My favorite part of this past alumni outing was all the camaraderie and seeing everybody reconnect with the HIA family,” shared Dylan Wishon, an alumnus since 2025.

The Alumni Association’s investment in nights like these is an investment in the alumni and their joy, their relationships, their sobriety, and their continued success. And if there’s one thing this night made clear, it’s that life after Hope is Alive is nothing like the life they left behind.

Jesus is Always the Answer to Sobriety

Addiction Doesn't Take Away God's Love

Hope is Alive in Greenville

Hope is Alive in Greenville

Hope is the foundation for radical life change. There’s no doubt about it. Before habits change, before healing begins, before a new future feels possible, hope has to take root.

Hope is an expectation, a desire, and a trust that the work being done today will have an impact on tomorrow. It’s the force that keeps us moving forward, especially when the road ahead of us isn’t paved.

The Road to Recovery

‍”If you give all you’ve got to this program, you won’t recognize your life when you graduate.”

This is Hope is Alive’s promise to residents in their program, and they don’t take it lightly. After all, Hope is Alive’s mission is to radically change the lives of drug addicts, alcoholics, and those who love them. It isn’t easy. It requires commitment, persistence, and a willingness to do things differently than before.

Our program doesn’t offer quick fixes or surface-level change. It’s designed to transform residents from the inside out: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Every day is intentionally structured to help residents develop a strong foundation for long-term recovery. We don't just teach residents what to avoid — we teach them what to pursue: character, integrity, responsibility, and connection.

Greenville graduate Mike Alsip knows better than anyone the power behind these lessons.

“Hope is Alive gave me the toolkit to rebuild my life,” he shared. “In just three years, my family and friendships have been fully restored.”

You will not find the Hope is Alive curriculum anywhere else in the world. The life-changing work residents do in our three-phase program was specially designed for Hope is Alive’s approach to recovery. We call it recovery done differently for a reason.

“I wrote a program that works all the way back from ‘I am a raging drug addict and alcoholic’ to ‘this is who God created me to be,’” Ally Lang, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Hope is Alive, shared. “Most places just tell you to stop drinking and using. We say, ‘Let’s create a life so good you never want to escape from it again.’”

The Road After Recovery

Today, Hope is Alive alumni are thriving in careers ranging from real estate and entrepreneurship to ministry and nonprofit leadership. Success looks different for each graduate, but they all leave the program dreaming bigger, setting new goals, and embracing opportunities they once thought were out of reach.

For Greenville graduate Christian Briley, Hope is Alive provided the foundation he needed to build a better future.

“Before coming to Hope is Alive, I didn’t know what true community felt like,” Christian shared. “Having so many men and women of God care for me and pour into my life has been a game-changer. It allowed me to see a deeper picture of the love of Christ.”

That sense of community doesn’t stop at the doors of Hope is Alive. The Greenville community plays an active role in the recovery journey of residents, offering mentorship, prayer, employment opportunities, and unwavering support. Together, they help create an environment where residents are empowered to grow and thrive.

For fellow Greenville graduate Dylan Clem, the greatest impact Hope is Alive had — aside from sobriety — was the quality of the relationships he now has.

“Hope is Alive funneled countless community members and supporters into my life,” Dylan said. “Those relationships wiped away my shame and guilt and allowed me to love myself for the first time in over a decade.”

In Greenville, residents don’t enter the program, graduate, and then disappear. Instead, they leave with relationships already in place — people who know their story, expect growth, and continue to walk with them as they integrate back into “normal” life. This continuity is a critical part of why long-term recovery is possible.

Hope is Alive

Hope is alive in Greenville, and lives are being transformed every single day because of it.

You can see it in the residents learning how to show up, follow through, and take responsibility for their lives. You can see it in the moms who now sleep through the night. You can see it in the children who have a parent back in their lives. And you can see it in the supporters who choose to step in and help make long-term recovery possible.

Hope is Alive because of the belief that no one is ever too far gone. No story is beyond redemption.

This is why Hope is Alive exists. The program doesn’t exist just to help people get sober but also to help them discover purpose. To help them become the men and women they were always created to be. To help families heal, communities grow stronger, and cycles of addiction finally come to an end.