‘We had an inspiring time together at our ISAAC UK and Ireland Conference on the 15th of March in Bristol. 150 people attended and took part in a day of worship, hearing from speakers, attending seminars, looking around stalls and networking’ (Mitha Bleasdale, Strategy & Relationships and conference organiser for ISAAC).

Our theme for the day was ‘Filling the Void’…

‘Addiction today is not just about drug or alcohol abuse. It’s about gambling addictions, porn dependencies, workaholism, and internet addictions’ (Hope in Addiction – Andy Partington). 

This reality shows that there is a deep void that needs to be filled in our societies, and the inspiration of the conference was the hope that God can do this in our hearts, communities, projects and churches. Attendees expressed this after the conference:

‘God is very much at work in our World. There are so many who care passionately.’

‘It was good to be affirmed that the work I/we are doing is of great value and bearing fruit.’

Getting equipped 

Over 70% of those giving feedback said that they felt more equipped after the conference from learning from the experiences of others. Seminar topics touched on a wide range of aspects of addiction recovery work, including Practising Trauma Informed Ministry and Building Recovery Bridges into Church.

Keynote speakers were Trudy Makepeace, a former addict and ex-offender turned minister, missionary and author, who has a remarkable story of transformation, and Andy Partington PhD, who is the author of Hope in Addiction. Speakers shared honestly about the tough realities of addiction recovery, but there was also a call to persevere despite the challenges…

‘Trudy’s testimony that it took her 32 times to finally recover from addiction was a really helpful reminder on how long the journey to recovery can be.’

‘God calls us to a Way not a War. Slow Down. Addiction in the church needs to be central not periphery. Do not give up doing good, running towards rather than away.’

Being encouraged

Delegates shared how they left the conference feeling encouraged by ‘seeing so many different projects moving in the same direction’ and ‘hearing all the speakers clearly keeping Jesus and his transforming work central to all the amazing practical work that they do.’ They also commented that ‘recovery work is hard, but it was so encouraging to see so many people who understand this. God is good!’.

Connecting with others

Some delegates were able to meet on the Friday afternoon, for a panel discussion on Understanding Addiction & Supporting Recovery, and a pre-conference networking meal in the evening, also serving church leaders and pastoral workers. There was a conference Whatsapp Group that delegates could join and opportunities to network and look at stalls during breaks. 

One attendee said that they found it encouraging ‘meeting like-minded people in wanting to help the addicted and marginalised recover’ and some fed-back that they would value more time for chatting and networking. 

A stallholder commented about how the conference could support even better connections between members in the future…

‘Saturday was an amazing full day, but maybe one more break or slightly longer where people can connect with those at the stalls. We were so grateful to have the time we did, though, and really appreciate being invited…Thanks to all the organisers of this brilliant, well-run weekend!’

As a result of the conference, we at ISAAC have been able to meet online with a housing project in Oxford, who will be hosting a meeting for ISAAC members in their area. They attended the conference for the first time and were so encouraged to see the wider network of Christian addictions/recovery workers, that they hadn’t plugged in with before, that they are keen to serve and engage with others in this very special ministry. Similarly, there is the beginning of an ISAAC regional meeting in Devon for the South West.

Mitha reflected that ‘one of the things we really value at ISAAC is being able to facilitate opportunities for members to support one another, and this conference was a beautiful example of that in action.

We are so grateful to inHope Bristol, STAR Recovery and The Genesis Process UK who partnered with us. Their vision and practical help brought this conference to our members across the UK & Ireland.

Our hope and prayer is that this gathering spurs new local networks and regional gatherings to spring up across the UK & Ireland.’