Walking Through Recovery | Seth’s Story
Seth’s introduction to alcohol began early and seemingly harmless at age 14 and grew gradually throughout high school and college. Once out from under his parents’ roof, drinking took over to the point that he stopped attending classes and drifted through life without purpose. By May 2024, his marriage was falling apart, he felt aimless, and an arrest landed him in jail — it was a wake-up call he didn’t expect. When offered the chance to come to Heartland, Seth remembered Heartland from his childhood: meals at the Solid Rock Café, visits to Dr. Nickerson, and stories of the men’s program. He took the opportunity.
Through daily discipleship and classes like relational theology, he began to understand how God sees people and relationships. “Jesus Christ is the center of my life now,” Seth says, recognizing that he no longer has to turn to alcohol when trouble comes. Seth found that God not only rescued him but also restored purpose to his life. “I now know that God has a purpose for my life,” he shares, grateful for a supportive family, Christ-centered relationships, and leaders who walked with him through every challenge.
If you or someone you love is caught in addiction, remember Seth’s message: God loves you, He created you with purpose, and He will meet you right where you are. Take the first step toward freedom — reach out today and begin your own journey of restoration.
Heartland Men’s Recovery Program
📍 500 New Creation Road, Newark, MO 63458
📧 recoveryinfo@hland.net
📞 573-633-5606 (Admissions)
📠 1-816-817-1802 (eFax)
🔗 More info: hlandrecovery.org
Heartland Recovery E-Newsletter
Thanks for your interest in Heartland Recovery! Below you’ll find our newsletter highlighting just a few of the activities and impactful moments in our fourth quarter as we closed out 2025. Click the newsletter pages to read for yourself, and share with someone to let them know more about our ministry to men, women, and youth.
Heartland Homestead: Year End Overview
Heartland Recovery hosted a thank you luncheon for supporters of the Homestead Project on campus in December. The initiative, started in 2024, provides an avenue for men, women, and youth to learn gardening and animal husbandry skills to instill purpose, confidence, and life skills. Heartland Homestead also exists to utilize and steward the land and resources God has provided, and to become as self-sustainable as possible through various animal and gardening endeavors.
Guests ate lunch at the Men’s Recovery cafeteria, then heard an update on the project’s progress and future goals, including a testimony from Dustin about how caring for animals in the Heartland Homestead Project is helping him on his road to recovery.
The Homestead started with 60 chickens and has grown to a flock of 130. In 2025, the men hatched 80 chicks, collected 13,257 eggs, and are supplying enough for the ministry’s needs. They plan to increase the number of laying hens to 200 in the coming year.
In the cattle department, two heifers were butchered in 2024 and four in 2025. That number will increase as they begin raising their own herd with six bred heifers scheduled to calve in the spring.
Hawkins Family Farms have been very helpful with the Homestead’s pig herd, donating animals as well as providing training on care and management. They provided the first three pigs in 2024 which were fattened out and butchered. In 2025, the Homestead raised seven pigs; five were butchered, with the remaining sows bred for piglets to fatten out for 2026.
The garden, greenhouses, and orchard continue to increase as well. The men grew a lot of produce in 2025 and were able to preserve quite a bit for the winter. In addition to the 25 existing pear trees in the orchard, 30 apple trees and 30 peach trees were planted this fall, with 30 blackberry and blueberry bushes planned for the spring.
Heartland is deeply grateful for the donations of time, livestock, supplies and equipment which have been instrumental in helping residents develop valuable skills while advancing the mission of self-sustainability.
If you would like to get involved in this project, contact us for more information!
Heartland Community | Year in Review 2025
It’s time to look back at 2025 and celebrate the miracles God has been working in the lives of His people. From school events and mission trips to graduations, baptisms, new babies, and powerful recovery victories, this year has been overflowing with God’s goodness. It has truly been a year of “Like Precious Faith” (our churches theme for the year). God’s family growing, healing, and walking together. Join us as we reflect, rejoice, and give thanks for all that God is doing in Heartland, right here in rural Missouri.
Contact us at:
6417 Shelby CR 150, Suite A, Bethel, MO 63434
573-633-5603
www.heartland-ministries.org
Walking Through Recovery | Joe’s Story
Joe was born into a rough area of St. Louis, MO. Surrounded by drugs, parties, and instability, crime was the norm. His upbringing lead him into years of prison time and a life marked by chaos, homelessness, isolation, and utterly without peace. But even then, God was pursuing him. “I don’t believe I chose Heartland. I believe God chose Heartland for me,” Joe says, describing the moment he felt drawn to the program even though he resisted it. Once he arrived, he encountered God’s love and truth through the people around him, and a powerful moment of surrender at Camp Inlow.
Today, Joe is living with a renewed purpose, and a peace he once thought impossible. “The only answer is Jesus… if you truly want to live a great life, you have to go to the Author so He can rewrite your story.”
If you or someone you love is trapped in addiction, Joe’s message is clear: you’re not alone, and there is an answer. Take the first step toward freedom — reach out today and begin your own story of restoration.
Heartland Men’s Recovery Program
📍 500 New Creation Road, Newark, MO 63458
📧 recoveryinfo@hland.net
📞 573-633-5606 (Admissions)
📠 1-816-817-1802 (eFax)
🔗 More info: hlandrecovery.org
