About
The Need
Genesis chapter 3 describes mankind’s dilemma after the Fall and our need for recovery. This same chapter also clearly communicates God’s plan to redeem man to Himself through the Gospel.
Route1520 is built on the firm belief that individuals cannot change through mere willpower or simply learning Biblical principles and trying to carry them out. We believe that change takes place only as we take the Gospel of Jesus Christ more deeply into our understanding and into our hearts. This process is a journey and not a quick-fix formula.
Our Name
Route1520 gets its name from the passage in Luke 15:20 where Luke records,
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off,
his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and
kissed him.”
The well-known Parable of the Two Sons provides the backdrop that we use to clearly communicate God’s scandalous love for His children and also the two primary ways our unbelief shows up: through legalism and licentiousness. Our ministry, like Jesus’ parable, seeks to demonstrate that both the irreligious and the religious life-paths are dead ends and that a new route is needed altogether. Like the two brothers in the parable, we also resent our Father’s authority and seek ways of getting out from under it. Some rebel by being very bad and others rebel by being extremely good. The result is the same…we need recovery and a radical encounter with the Gospel.
The Groups
True heart change takes place in genuine, transparent community and cannot be done in isolation. Route1520 Support Groups are issue specific and offer a place for individuals to find support, care, direction, and prayer in community with fellow strugglers. The shame which drives addiction begins to dissapate as individuals allow themselves to be fully known by other members of the group. At its core, Route1520 is a discipleship ministry that seeks to multiply by continually training facilitators and starting new Support Groups.
The Curriculum
Route1520 Support Groups utilize a Christ-centered approach to recovery using the traditional 12-steps and seek to uncover the Gospel within the 12-steps in a systematic approach. Rather than use the term “Higher Power” like many recovery programs, we unapologetically recognize Jesus Christ as our “Higher Power”. Embracing the 12-steps also allows Route1520 to satisfy any court mandated involvement in a recovery program.
Route1520 is in the process of writing the on-going curriculum for our Support Groups. This curriculum will clearly examine the Scripture behind the 12-steps to reveal truth and to expose error.
The Route1520 recovery ministry seeks to:
- Continually multiply the ministry by discipling individuals and establishing new Support Groups.
- Help individuals grow in their love for God and others.
- Assist individuals in discovering the freedom offered by the Gospel.
- Lead lost individuals who find our 12-step Support Groups to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- Exalt the true Gospel while exposing the unbelief of both elder brother and younger brother hearts.
- Create a culture of authenticity and transparency where individuals can be free to connect at weakness and not feel the need to impress with strength.
