HELPING OVERCOME ADDICTION

Promise Land Ministries aims to help substance abuse recovery in Wakulla

Ed Layton, yard services manager, with Promise Land Pastor Glen Hamel.

Story & Photos By LINDA ANN McDONALD Correspondent

Promise Land Ministries, located at 20 Church Road, close to Shell Point, is a faith-based recovery center. Pastor Glen Hamel and his wife Vera, have devoted their lives to serving the rejected, hurting, abused, and addicted.
Pastor Glen also leads Real Church, a non-denominational church located at 3167 Coastal Highway in Crawfordville.
Ed Layton, now Executive Director to Promise Land and Yard Services Manager, was once in the transition program for men himself. Proudly, Layton shared his testimony to show others overcoming addiction can be done.
“I went into the Program in 2008,” Layton says. “When I came to Promise Land, I was living on the streets, I had issues and problems functioning, I was on drugs, on alcohol, I lost everything – I was tired of it. After going through detox, I reached out to Glen.
“I originally planned on hanging out in the ministry long enough to get myself together and I was going to leave, just like an addict would, get a few meals in my stomach and go,” Layton says. “But something happened, I found myself happy with the ministry, I was content, I was happy, the structure of the ministry is something I needed. I was in a place where people cared about me. I got so involved with the ministry, I graduated the program in 8 months.
“After being involved, doors opened, and I dedicated myself to Jesus. Where I once thought I wouldn’t be able to make it, I know now that life will always have its bumps, but this time, I know I will be able to make it through because of Jesus.”
Not only does Promise Land help men struggling with addiction, the ministry also gives back to the community by offering donation-based food banks, yard care – such as underbrush cleaning, clearing such as picking up leaves and sticks and mowing.
Jobs requiring carpentry, small home repairs, handy man jobs, painting, porch repair and house painting are services also available.
“When you see someone receive good things like a cut lawn or elderly people with yards in despair and look like a jungle, when I see the happy on their face and tears in their eyes, I know I am doing the right thing and what Jesus wants me to do.
“If I hadn’t come to Promise Land and stayed, then I would probably be dead,” Layton says. “I thank God first and foremost. I turned 64 years old and I wasted 40 years on drugs and alcohol, but now I put forth the effort, the desire to uphold the code of conduct and I quit smoking, are all good things I never thought I could do.
“I am now licensed to minister, I am just blessed, and I now have joy, happiness, acceptance and love,” he says.
To be a part of the Program, the men submit to a 32-week discipleship program with the first 2 weeks being orientation, they are in a “cut off” period from outside influences and past habits.  The next step is welcome family to visit and support the new sober lifestyle while attending church together. Furlough services are offered and there is no total isolation. Phone calls are allowed and love is encouraged.
Promise Land said, “We found a lot of support in Wakulla County and without the Community, we wouldn’t be here. We are here to please God, serve God and serve our community. It lifts you up to know we are serving and that the people appreciate it, we are obedient vessels to do God’s work.” Promise Land is a whole-life recovery ministry that has helped countless s individuals find freedom through Christ.
Glen Hamel is a Pastor, Author, Leader, and Family Man. Recipient of Wakulla’s “Distinguished Leadership” and “Heart of Wakulla” awards, Life Recovery Coach, Graduate of Liberty University, certified in addiction recovery, and has 20-plus years of ministry experience.
Promise Land Thrift Store located at 3299 Crawfordville Highway and is an additional ministry to support the costs of feeding, housing, clothing, and providing for those who come into the Program. Entering the Program is at no cost for anyone who wants to join.
“The joy of seeing men overcome addiction is to see them have purpose, to be introduced to Jesus and be the person they need to be,” Pastor Glen says.
Promise Land can be reached at promiselandministries.org, there are online applications to join the program for those interested or call (850) 926-3281.