×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Benches in Belmont County Offer More Than Rest

Photo by Shelley Hanson Enjoying the new Celebrate Recovery bench outside the Martins Ferry City Building are, from left, Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland, city resident Dom Wallace and Betty Suto, codes administrator for the city.

MARTINS FERRY — Motorists and pedestrians may have noticed some new, good-looking wooden benches popping up in communities across the Ohio Valley with the words “Celebrate Recovery” on them.

Upon closer inspection, people will find they are not just comfortable benches to rest on. They also are emblazoned with a phone number — 304-232-1012 — for a Christ-centered program that aims to help people stop using and abusing drugs.

The program is based at St. John Central Wheeling Fellowship, 41 22nd St., Wheeling, and is led by a group of local pastors including the Rev. Terry Endsley.

Endsley, a native of Martins Ferry and Class of 1982 Martins Ferry High School graduate, said meetings for recovering addicts are held at 6 p.m. Thursdays at St. John, located across from Ohio Valley Medical Center.

“It is a Christ-based addiction program,” he said. “It’s for people with hurts, habits and hangups. … Everyone is welcome.”

Endsley said the program is a 12-step national program. Along with Martins Ferry, other communities where the benches are located include Bridgeport, Bellaire, Barnesville, Hopedale, Holloway, Shadyside, Belmont and St. Clairsville.

“It’s similar to what AA would be. It’s all centered on Christ. We have small groups and a large group and we eat afterward.

“Our slogan is, ‘What we hear here stays here.’ Confidentiality is a must,” Endsley said.

Endsley noted he got the idea for the benches and consulted with John McFarland, Martins Ferry police chief and co-head of the Belmont County Drug Task Force, about them.

“He thought it would be neat if they were in every little town,” Endsley said of McFarland. “The bench has the information on it and how to contact us.”

Another volunteer pastor is the Rev. Ernest Watkins of New Life United Methodist Church on Wheeling Island. Endsley said he is looking for more volunteers.

The benches were made locally by the Johnny Benches company.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today