Home of Grace, a faith-based addiction recovery program based in Vancleave, Mississippi, has been changing lives for over six decades. What began as one man’s compassionate dream has blossomed into a comprehensive ministry that has helped over 35,000 individuals find freedom from addiction.
The seeds of Home of Grace were planted in the heart of its founder, Bill “Billy” Barton (1924-2008), from a young age. Born with a cleft palate and other medical challenges, Billy faced numerous surgeries and hardships as a child. Despite his difficulties, at the age of 8, he felt a calling to ministry.
“When my grandfather Billy was a child, his father became an alcoholic,” said Josh Barton, Billy’s grandson and current director of Home of Grace. “This hurt Billy deeply. He felt responsible for his father’s drinking, thinking if not for his [Billy’s own] medical expenses, his dad wouldn’t have had that problem. Even as a young boy, Billy prayed to God, offering to give up his own life if it would make his father sober. These painful childhood experiences motivated him to later start Home of Grace to help others struggling with addiction.”
In 1964, Billy visited Victory Homes, an early addiction recovery program in Georgia. Moved by the influential community of support he witnessed there, he declared to his wife, “I want to have a place like that, and I’ll call it the Home of Grace.”
Just months later, on January 2, 1965, the first resident entered an old trailer that marked the humble beginnings of Home of Grace.
Restoration through love
The Stand spoke to Barton about the legacy and ongoing impact of the ministry.
“From its earliest days, Home of Grace had a simple yet profound mission: to love the broken and show them true life in Christ,” Barton said. “If we ever walk away from loving on the guys who go through our program and teaching them to love the Lord and love others, then we miss the foundation of Home of Grace.”
This Christ-centered approach, combined with comprehensive counseling, work programs, and spiritual discipleship, has proven transformative for thousands battling addiction’s grip.
“Home of Grace doesn’t just treat the symptoms,” said Barton. “It addresses the root issues to facilitate lasting change.”
Spiritual and practical journey
According to Barton, a typical day at Home of Grace interweaves spiritual nourishment with practical life skills and addiction recovery work.
“Every day begins with a morning devotion,” he explained. “After breakfast, they have what we call ‘Word of the Day’ before devotion. It’s like a short devotion led by one of the clients in the program. This activity allows them to practice sharing their story and the things they’re going through.”
The structured daily schedule for participants includes classroom instruction and work details aimed at teaching responsibility and accountability through practical tasks. This hands-on approach fosters a sense of responsibility and contributes to developing a strong work ethic among the residents.
Individual counseling sessions support the residents’ emotional and psychological well-being. These sessions offer an opportunity for residents to explore personal issues, address emotional challenges, and work toward healing and growth under the guidance of professional counselors.
In addition to one-on-one counseling, group therapy sessions are conducted, creating a supportive community environment where residents can share experiences and learn from each other. Local church volunteers lead evening chapel services, offering spiritual guidance and comfort.
Family support
Home of Grace recognizes that addiction doesn’t just impact the individual – it reverberates through entire families.
“We have a counselor who specializes in family counseling and offers virtual sessions,” explained Barton. “Since many clients come from different states, we often provide marriage counseling online. We also provide resources for families to review and discuss.”
Additionally, the ministry offers a Home of Grace Facebook Forum for the families of program participants.
“The benefit of this forum is that if your family member completed the Home of Grace program and you connect with someone new going through it in the future, you can share your experience and offer support,” said Barton. “It creates a supportive community network where families can help each other.”
Evolving challenges
Over the decades, Home of Grace has witnessed profound shifts in the landscape of addiction.
Barton pointed out that in the early years of the ministry, alcohol was the primary addiction treated.
“Back then, individuals seeking help were typically in their 40s or 50s and had various skills or trades like bricklaying, plumbing, or owning businesses,” he explained. “However, alcohol was their main issue. But as time passed, the demographics started to change, with younger generations getting involved with different substances at an earlier age.”
Home of Grace began seeing people with an addiction to new drugs such as bath salts and methamphetamine, with more surfacing each year as substance abuse trends evolved.
“In the last 3 to 4 years, the fentanyl crisis has been a major game changer,” he said gravely. “Despite Home of Grace having operated for 60 years, the last few years have seen an alarming and tragic increase in overdoses and deaths related to fentanyl.”
Barton emphasized that many of those impacted by these overdoses defy addict stereotypes: They are often outwardly respectable individuals whose substance abuse was hidden until it was too late.
This new reality requires constant adaptation and vigilance from organizations like Home of Grace, which strives to save lives and guide individuals toward lasting recovery.
A legacy of transformation
What began with a small trailer and a big dream has grown into a renowned recovery ministry with facilities for both men and women. Home of Grace’s impact extends beyond its Vancleave campus through the many lives transformed and through the alumni who have established addiction recovery programs nationwide.
Barton shared the story of Joey Bennett, a former Home of Grace resident from Kokomo, Indiana: “After experiencing a radical transformation, Joey felt called to start a similar program in his hometown. What began with him sending individuals to Home of Grace eventually blossomed into Valley of Grace, a replica ministry making waves of its own.
“Stories like Joey’s are a testament to the ripple effect of Home of Grace’s work over the past 60 years. You can never tell just how far God can take the impact of your life. My kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids may live under the shadow of the tree you planted from the work you’ve done.”
While the culture of addiction continually shifts, Home of Grace’s foundation remains firm: Extend radical love, anchor lives in Christ, and watch as miracles unfold. Born from one man’s compassion, this ministry has become a beacon of hope to many desperate for help and the gospel.
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the August 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription.)
