February 15th, 2006 -- "Nonprofit Ministry Examines Spiritual Struggles of Drug And Alcohol Addiction" -- Quarryville Advertiser by Ethan Riley

Lord's House of Prayer, 300 Hideaway Drive, Quarryville, has invited local resident Dave Hain to speak at the 9:30am Sunday service on February 19th. Hain will evangelize on the potency of prayer and counseling in dealing with issues of addiction.

Dubbed "The Heart of an Addict," the sermon seeks "to explain the feelings that addicts experience and how we can react to addicts out of love instead of rebuking condemnation," said Hain. "I want to share the torment and turmoil of a life of addiction and the struggle to break free."

According to Hain, the message is intended to help folks comprehend the emotions and spiritual conflicts experienced by someone who is bound by addiction to drugs and alcohol.

After ministering to drug abusers and alcoholics in Philadelphia for nearly 10 years, Hain and wife Shawn moved to Lancaster County two years ago. The couple had also traveled abroad, serving in China, Great Britain and points in between.

"We saw the addiction is the same all over the world," explained Hain, an ordained minister. "We have seen hundreds of addicts set free through. Jesus Christ, some miraculously and others over time."

Dave and Shawn ultimately launched a nonprofit outreach, 'Etsah Ministries ("etsah" is Hebrew for "counsel"), in early 2005. The ministry exists "to equip the body of Christ to bring wholeness, healing, reconciliation and restoration to individuals, families and communities torn apart by substance abuse and other addictions."

'Etsah Ministries, Dave Hain said, is a vehicle for reaching addicts, the friends and family of substance abusers and churches that desire to be of assistance to both demographics.

"We want to speak the truth about addiction as a spiritual issue, and issue of bondage," Hain noted. "We want to take the message to communities and churches."

As a complement to the "The Heart of an Addict" sermon, 'Etsah Ministries counseling sessions will be conducted Mondays, Feb. 27 through March 20, from 7 to 8:30pm at the Lord's House of Prayer. The public is invited to attend.

Hain explained that the opening session, titled "The Spiritual Side of Substance Abuse," will examine the history of drug and alcohol abuse, citing specific examples from the Gospel. "Substance abuse," he said, "is not just an issue of the late 1900's and 2000's."

"What Drugs Are People Using and Why" will introduce participants to an assortment of commonly abused substances and characterize their effects. The audience will be provided with informational literature.

The March 13th class is "Core Competencies for the Church." This session will detail how churches can aid families in leading interventions and finding solace.

The final workshop, "From Addict to Disciple," will outline a method for mentoring an addict and helping them become a true disciple of Christ.

Hain earned a doctorate degree in Christian counseling ministry and missions from Faith Covenant Theological Seminary in Florida and a master's degree in education from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He authored "From Addict to Disciple," a memoir detailing personal experiences working with substance abusers.

February 2006 -- Partnership for a Safer Community

David Hain has been ministering to heroin, crack addicts and alcoholics on the street of Philadelphia and around the world for over ten years.

Rev. Hain will be facilitating his spiritual substance abuse program for male A.R.R.O.W. Program participants. The Addict to Disciple Program will run once a week- for 90 days. Michael Neel, current PCCF volunteer from Beacon of Hope Ministries will co facilitate this program with Rev. Hain. will be offering a series of workshops addressing what our churches response to addiction should be.

Four workshops will be held at the Quarryville Church. Workshop topics will be: The spiritual Side of Substance Abuse, What Drugs People are Using and Why, How Churches Can Develop Effective Out Reach Ministries and From Addict to Disciple - How to Mentor Someone.

August 24, 2005 -- Workshops Will Address Spiritual Side of Treating Substance Abuse -- Penny Saver by James Senft

Upward Call Counseling Services Inc. of New Holland will present workshops that will address "The Spiritual Side of Substance Abuse" on Thursday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 17. The Sept. 15 workshop will be held at Blue Ball Fire Hall, 4305 Division Highway, Blue Ball, while the Sept. 17 lecture will be held at Brightside Opportunity Center, 515 Hershey Ave., Lancaster. The workshops will be led by David Hain, who hold a doctorate degree in ministry in Christian counseling and missions from Faith Covenant Theological Seminary and a master's degree in education from East Strousburg University.

Hain has spent a lot of time working with drug addicts in places all over the world and has an interesting perspective on substance abuse. The way he became involved in working with drug abusers is also interesting. "About 10 years ago I started going to Philadelphia to minister to people on steam grates in the wintertime," he explained. Shortly after starting his work in Philadelphia, Hain got married to his wife, Shawn, and the tow of them decided to move to the big city wit with the hope that they would continue their ministry work. "We got a home that had been a crack house," he said. The home was located near an area that the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency had declared the worst area for Heroin in the country, he said.

"So we started ministering to addicts," Hain explained. "The area was flooded with addicts, many in their mid-40's who had been addicted since their youth, or since serving in Vietnam," he said. "My ministry was 40 to 60 hours a week or more, taking the love of the Father and the hope of the Son to the hopelessness of addiction."

Hain has traveled around the world to work with drug addicts, taking his mission to China, Belize, Azerbaijan, and the United Kingdom. HE says the causes of substance abuse are the same no matter where he has gone, and he has found that there is nowhere in the world where drug abuse is not an issue. "Everywhere you go in the world substance abuse is a problem," he said. He believes that more than anything the answer to treating drug abusers lies in Christianity. "I have seen hundreds, literally hundreds, of people who have been addicted to drugs for years set free by Jesus," he said.

At the workshops, Hain will talk about what the Bible says about drug abuse and how a spiritual perspective can give people a better understanding of drug abuse. He notes that the word "pharmaceutical" comes from the Greek word for sorcery, "pharmakeutikos." "sorcerers came up with potions that altered moods and will and emotions of the person they would give the potion to," Hain said, citing some of the earliest examples of drug abuse.

"The call is for the church to see it ( the battle against drug abuse) as a spiritual battle, rather than a weakness in a person's character," Hain said. At the workshop, he will talk about why people do drugs and what people can do to help drug abusers. He will also talk about the signs to look out if someone suspects a loved one of using drugs and will explain which drugs are growing in popularity.

Hain recently completed a book, title "From Addict to Disciple," about his experiences working with drug abusers.