Authors: Mr. Richard Matundura, Genesis Process Programme African Liaison and Mary Halsey, ISAAC International.

Addiction is a global issue, and in Africa, its effects are often compounded by cultural, economic, and social challenges. To address this, The Arise and Shine Genesis Training, held at the Teen Challenge Centre in South Africa in February 2025, brought together professionals, pastors, community leaders, and policymakers from across Africa to learn the Genesis Process, a proven method for addiction recovery. The event focused on equipping attendees to combat addiction and promote long-term recovery.

Over five days, 25 participants from Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania gained practical skills to address addiction in their communities. The training was advertised using flyers, social media and existing networks across Africa, including The ISAAC Africa network, which is made up of over 200 individual and organisational ISAAC Members that span the length and breadth of the continent.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Richard Matundura (Genesis Process Programme African Liaison and ISAAC Africa Core Team member) and led by Alison Giblett (Church Mission Society, Ukraine and part of the International Steering Group for ISAAC).

The Genesis Process

The training centred around the Genesis Process, which targets the root causes of addiction by identifying subconscious relapse patterns and faulty belief systems. Participants learned how to implement this research-backed method in their own countries, using real-life case studies and role-playing exercises to apply the strategies effectively.

A major component of the training was fostering a strong network of addiction recovery advocates. Attendees engaged in interactive discussions, sharing personal stories and insights, which led to valuable cross-country collaborations. The diverse group of attendees also shared different cultural perspectives on addiction recovery, enriching the learning experience.

Solomon Kupeta from Zimbabwe said ‘I noted that The Genesis Training was enlightening, offering a holistic approach to addiction counselling with Biblical insight.’

Highlights from the week

• Engaged participants: Attendees actively shared their personal experiences, resulting in a vibrant exchange of ideas and new collaborative relationships.
• Practical skills: Participants expressed excitement about learning how to apply the Genesis Process in real-world settings, to help individuals in their communities overcome addiction.
• Spiritual support: Morning devotions and evening prayer sessions addressed the spiritual aspects of recovery, further strengthening the participants’ commitment.
• Healing: A pastor from Malawi experienced complete healing in his leg during the training and did not know ‘where the pain disappeared to’. People also worked through diverse addiction and trauma during the sessions.

Challenges

• Communication: There were some language barriers and cultural differences that made it difficult for some participants to communicate effectively. However, the facilitators made efforts to ensure that everyone understood the material by using visual aids and group discussions.
• Emotional discussions: Many attendees shared deeply personal stories related to addiction, leading to emotionally charged moments. While this added a sense of authenticity to the training, it was also challenging for some participants to cope with the intensity of the subject matter.

Outcomes and next steps

The training led to increased knowledge and confidence among participants in applying the Genesis Process. Many committed to enhancing or starting addiction recovery programmes in their respective countries. The event helped build stronger relationships between churches, community organisations, and policymakers, fostering collaboration in the fight against addiction.

To build on the success of the training, the next steps include creating a follow-up network for continued support and collaboration, offering more hands-on practice in future sessions, and providing emotional support due to the sensitive nature of addiction recovery.

The Arise and Shine Genesis Training was a transformative experience, equipping participants with the tools to create more opportunities for change and healing across the continent.

If you are in Africa and are interested in hearing more about the Genesis Process, please contact Richard Matundura on makenyarich@gmail.com.