Making it known that addicts can also be good people who are trying their best was one of the reasons for the Smoking for Recovery event on Saturday. Hosted by God’s Way Ministries, another reason was community outreach and to show Marshalltown residents they care and can do good.

Held at West End Park and organized in three months, the gathering featured speakers, bouncy houses and games for children, live music and four smokers who entered the culinary competition. Organizer Rob Ackerman of Iowa Falls, who runs God’s Way Ministries wanted the community outreach to get word out about what God’s Way is and who the clients are.

“We’re addicts in recovery and we’re going to continue moving forward,” he said. “We’re fighting for our lives. That’s what we’re doing, and we want everybody to know the goodness we have in ourselves. We [also] want everybody to have fun, and to give us a shot.”

The smoking competition was something Ackerman said they wanted to do for Marshalltown, and was open to anyone.

“It’s something to symbolize we’re smoking for recovery and will keep going,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for some local people to join and come together in fellowship to break bread with each other.”

Once all of the smoking was complete, Ackerman said samples were provided to attendees and whichever smoker created the most popular would get bragging rights.

“This is our first year doing this, and depending on it turns out, we want to make it an annual event,” he said. “Hopefully next year we get more smokers. I was hoping for five or six. We have four, which is fine, but maybe next year we will have 10.”

One of the smokers was Ricky Schogren of Marshalltown who is also a God’s Way client. He brought seven racks of ribs, two turkey loins, two pork loins and some salmon – all with various seasonings and rubs. Schogren considers himself to be an “amateur beginner” smoker as he only started five years ago.

“This is maybe the fifth or sixth time I have smoked by myself,” he said. “I’m very new to this.”

While Schogren wanted to definitely enter the competition, he also desired to show the community that he and other people in recovery are trying. Building something to bring awareness of recovery was important to him.

“I want to show support of my program, see the community come together, to give back . . . and hopefully beat the other smokers,” Schogren said with a laugh.

Schogren said God has eyes on Marshalltown, and wants the stigma of addiction to not be a big thing the community is known for. He wants to make everyone outside of Marshalltown know it is not a haven for methamphetamine.

“We want to become the recovery capital of Iowa,” Schogren said. “We want Iowans to hear the name Marshalltown and think there’s a movement going on there, and a ministry that’s trying.”

“We’re trying to show this town we can get better, we will get better,” he said. “We hope to attract other addicts so they can see what we’re doing. We’re doing something positive. We’re not committing crimes or being horrible people.”

Local people were not the only ones present at Smoking for Recovery. Traveling from Austin, Texas was Joey Fierro and his brother Mike, the hosts of 2 Addicts and a Moron podcast. Fierro said some aspects of the event were filmed and will be placed on their social media platforms.

The podcasters were brought to Marshalltown by Ackerman, as clients in God’s Way began watching the addiction and recovery-based podcast. It was actually Fierro’s first time in Iowa.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s the honor of our lives. We love the event and are blown away by the turnout, the love and support for the people who are in recovery.”

While Fierro said they never judge anyone for their addiction or recovery, they will pass judgment on the smoked meats.

“The burgers and hot dogs are the appetizer. It’s hard to mess those up,” he said. “I am confident in the guys in the competition. We’re from Texas. We know barbecue, and I will judge you if your ribs come out dry.”

Overall, Ackerman was happy with the hundreds of people who showed up to have some fun, try the culinary delights and listen to stories of addicts.

“I’m very happy with the turnout we had,” he said.

In the end, Ackerman said there is a need for recovery and people should come together. Some people need to do self evaluation as addiction goes beyond alcohol and drugs, and recovery is available for them, as well. While the addictions and the side effects of recovery are different, it is still the same, he said.

“Everybody’s recovery is different, but very similar,” Ackerman said. “I’m 988 days clean today, and I’m no different than anybody else.”

God’s Way has expanded since opening its first Marshalltown sober living house in July 2024 with three men staying there. Now there are 24 men living in three houses.

“We’re there to help foster them in their recovery and show them love,” he said. “That’s what God calls us to do – love one another and build discipleships.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.