The name “Havenwood” is meant to conjure up an image of a place that is safe, protected, nurturing and welcoming. Hopefully it brings to mind a comfortable place nestled among trees where you are surrounded by the beauty of nature and wholesome goodness. Havenwood was born as a vision of a place where people would come to spend a little time contemplating issues that are important to our innermost selves. A place to find understanding and acceptance and a new way of thinking about how we live our lives.
Background
In 2001, God brought together a number of people in Knoxville, Tennessee, to begin their recovery from various addictions and other compulsive behaviors. Jerry Smith, Havenwood’s founder, was among them. Jerry was a successful advertising/marketing executive who struggled with a 30 year history of drug and alcohol abuse. This small group began their odyssey of transformation with the 12 steps of recovery. Jerry’s sobriety anniversary date is Oct 4th, 2001.
“Step 3 is about surrendering to God’s will and Step 12 is about giving back by helping others find sobriety,” Jerry explains. “I have been trying to do both since the day my new life began,” he says. Jerry began that new life with a focus on recovery. He facilitated a chemically dependent men’s group, lead several intensive step studies, and supported the development of a large recovery ministry in Knoxville. Over the years since, he has been involved in the launch of several other recovery ministries. “I believe God has called me to do everything I can to help others overcome the addictive issues that threaten them and to help them connect with Jesus Christ to rebuild their lives based on His grace and love,” Jerry says. God has given Jerry the chance to take his work in recovery to the next level, providing the opportunity to create Havenwood.
Purpose
We find evidence of God’s glory in the topics we study. The underlying objective upon which Havenwood is built is to help as many people as possible establish a better connection with Jesus Christ.
Havenwood is unique because it incorporates a number of programs for people who are dealing with recovery from addictions and compulsive behaviors. Havenwood is meant to be the base camp for search and rescue missions of lost souls. It is to be the “Shepherd’s Outpost.”
We hope to be a blessing to everyone we encounter, providing them with hope and confidence in their search for a relationship with their creator.
Methods
Instruction — Classroom style instruction provides knowledge of the topic’s core elements and basic principles for participants in most of our seminars and workshops. Demonstration — It’s easiest to learn something when you watch someone else do it. The most effective form of teaching is demonstration. At Havenwood, the teaching is based on practical experience — personal experience. As a participant, you can be sure that what you’re seeing is reliable because the one sharing it has mastered the task. Hands-On — Our programs are also “hands on,” allowing participants to practice what they’ve seen demonstrated, with enough coaching to make it stick. Collaborative — Many of our programs include collaborative elements allowing you to work with others to broaden your thought process, providing a wider perspective on the topic.