Smoking for Recovery returns for second annual event Saturday
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The first iteration of Smoking for Recovery last August was such a smashing success that the group behind it, God's Way Ministry, is making it even bigger and better in year two.
Beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 8 p.m., it will include a meat smoking contest, inflatables, baptisms, testimonies, a dunk tank, a prayer tent, and from 2:30 p.m. on, a live Christian music concert. God's Way founder Rob Ackerman is excited to bring the event back to Marshalltown and celebrate recovery as he now has 20 men residing in two sober living houses within the community and a waiting list just as long.
"We did have such a great turnout last year that there was no way we weren't gonna do it a second time," he said. "I think as we continue to go forward, giving God all the glory, we're just gonna get bigger and bigger, and this year, we decided to add bands to the event to draw more people and just to see the transformation the men are making in our program."
By year five, Ackerman said he'd like to have a ferris wheel at the event, and in his words, even if some people think he's crazy, when he puts God first, anything is possible. As God's Way continues to grow, so has the group's acceptance within the community as evidenced by the wide range of local businesses stepping up to sponsor this year's Smoking for Recovery.
The purpose of God's Way isn't just to help people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, he said, but to put God first in all aspects of life. Ackerman said the organization is getting "closer and closer" to launching a recovery home for women in the near future, and they've started a 12-step program called Regeneration within the current houses while exploring options for a clubhouse to hold faith-based recovery meetings.
"All groups are great, but Jesus Christ is the one that's gonna give you true freedom. And we believe that, and we're gonna continue going for it because this is his project, right? We're just messengers and recruiters of Christ," Ackerman said.
The Smoking for Recovery event is open to the general public, and Ackerman stressed that God's Way is available to help people battling all forms of addictions.
"Our arms are open to everybody, and we encourage everybody," he said. "There's a lot of talent with the men that are in our program today, and they have a lot of things that they can offer the community on the good side of the fence.
The smoking competition will be judged at 2:30 p.m., and a free will donation meal will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will end with a service led by Pastor Rushton Reed of New Life Church, and 12 to 14 vendors from around the state will be on hand.
"It's gonna be a fun-filled day. I encourage everybody to come. I mean, who doesn't love food, music and just a fun time in a community. That's the biggest thing is that we're all out there to have a good time," Ackerman said.
Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.