MIDDLESBORO – “There is hope” for individuals and families affected by substance abuse, said Middlesboro Pastor Mitch Bradshaw. “You don’t have to give up.”

A new faith-based substance abuse program initiated earlier this spring will be explained during a Community Awareness Service to be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at East Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church.

The keynote speaker is the Rev. Wright Procter, who recently moved to Bell County. Proctor will discuss the program “Overcomers In Christ” which he teaches at the Pine Mountain Forestry Camp.

In addition, the staff and recovering addicts from the Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge Center in Clay County will provide special singing and testimony and a representative from Operation UNITE will discuss initiatives available to Bell County residents.

Because options for faith-based after-care support was limited in Bell County, East Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church began an Overcomers program about six weeks ago, Bradshaw stated. The group meets 7 p.m. every Thursday at the church.

“We want everyone to become aware that people care,” Bradshaw said. “This is about our community.”