Waypoint Ministry

Waypoint Ministry takes a holistic, comprehensive, long-term approach to treating men who are struggling with addictions of all kinds.

“Most of these men, who are 18 and up, come from broken homes where there was no father figure, and they’re suffering from trauma, which they have tried to numb,” says Chris Gillhouse, executive director of the Christian residential program in Dahlonega. “We believe addiction is a symptom of problems that go far deeper, so we try to get to the root of the problem.”

This process is not a quick fix. Waypoint, which started in 2005, provides rigorous, intensive “soul-mining” work that requires one year – at least. Clients receive therapy from certified addiction counselors during the day and devote their evenings to Bible study.

“We believe true freedom and lasting solutions come with faith,” Gillhouse says. “Too many recovery programs miss the mark with a purely clinical approach or a hefty price tag,” he says, noting that scholarships are available for tuition. (Much of the group’s work is funded by its large thrift store in Murrayville.)

For the first year, the men study every facet of addiction and its causes, and then they can apply to stay another year at Waypoint and enter the Servant Leadership Training phase. During this phase, they are taught life skills such as financial literacy and can take vocational classes that will help them make the transition to stable, sober living. GED help is also available.

The program typically serves around 40 to 60 men a year. “Most of them go on to restored relationships, or they’re ready to start a family of their own.”