Church Offers Hope to Homeless, Addicted

WILDWOOD – A faith-based recovery program is bringing hope to addicted individuals in Cape May County. On a cold Feb. 9, The Jesus House opened its doors to 50 men, women and children, providing a hot dinner, Christian worship and a way out of the addiction cycle that so often spirals into hopelessness and homelessness.
Now hosted by The Carpenter’s Shop, a Christian church at 4505 Park Boulevard, The Jesus House is in its fourth program location since beginning at Clary’s Restaurant on Route 9, Mayville seven years ago.
Director Mikee Whiteshoes Williamson explained, “The Jesus House is not a church or denomination, but a recovery ministry which mixes Christian believers with the poor, the homeless and the addicted, including prostitutes and gang members. We preach Jesus, period. You should see the joy in the house when addicts raise their hands, singing praise to God!”
Whiteshoes shared that The Jesus House vision includes expansion to additional locations, locally and eventually nationally, to serve those seeking a way out of addiction and into the fullness of life.
At the Wildwood Jesus House, members of several churches meld together to carry out the recovery mission. With culinary contributions from the faithful, Michael Horst oversees the 6:30 p.m. dinner which precedes the weekly Monday night meeting.
Youngsters who accompany their parents are taught in the children’s ministry led by Laurie Thomas. Worship music is provided by Diane McCandless and Al DiCicco. A food and clothing bank is open on-site.
The weekly meeting is highlighted by stories of many who share how they have escaped the addiction trap. Personal testimonies provide insight and point the way to freedom.
Says local resident Richard Santaniello, “The heart of the message is 2 Corinthians 5:17: ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.’ I know what it’s like. My family used to own Russo’s restaurant just across the street. I used to stumble around here sometimes. Just after my 50th birthday, I finally asked for help. I was looking for a Christ-centered recovery program for three years. I found it in the Jesus House and through the Jesus House; I found a strong evangelical church.”
At the third Wildwood Jesus House meeting Feb. 23, a contingent from The Last Stop, a faith-based rehab located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, attended and shared success stories.
Addicted to alcohol for decades, Richie Leek was living in the back of a tractor trailer in Wildwood, undeterred by police efforts to stink-bomb him out. When his health deteriorated about a year ago, he realized that he needed to change.
After crying out to God on a beach just six blocks from the Wildwood Jesus House, he attended a meeting at the former Pacific Avenue location and asked Jesus to enter his life. The next day, he was taken by Whiteshoes Williamson to The Last Stop to begin his rehabilitation process.
Thankful, Leek has been free of alcohol and holds a full time job. Just before the beginning of winter, The Jesus House conducted a street ministry outreach on the grounds of The Last Stop in North Philadelphia, distributing hundreds of coats, shoes, covers and food gathered from Cape May County supporters.