2025 Life Issues Homecoming Event

ALL ARE INVITED to the 2025 Life Issues Homecoming Event

Friends, Life Issues is an addiction recovery program that is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit located in Harrisonville, Missouri (FEIN 01-0548351). We are a community partner with the Cass County Drug Court and DWI Court, working together to fight addiction, and we are an outreach of Heartland Baptist Fellowship.

This program serves individuals and their families in the west central region of Missouri by meeting the various practical needs they encounter through addiction and poor choices. It is a structured recovery program teaching life skills to help break the cycle of addiction and to keep it from becoming generational.

Life Issues was formed in January 2011, and since that time hundreds of students have benefited from our program. Many come to our program as referrals or after hearing of us through treatment centers, the court system, word of mouth, or some from our online presence.

On Friday August 29th, 2025, Life Issues will be hosting our 13th annual fundraiser. We will once again be hosting a “Homecoming Fundraiser” in which we will attempt (by God’s grace) to raise $12,000 as former and current students work this Pay-It-Forward project to help future students that God brings our way.  We will be contacting businesses and individuals in our efforts to raise support, and we invite you to participate in our fundraiser by attending the event and (if possible) make a monetary donation to help fund our program.

WHO IS INVITED : We are asking that all current and former Life Issues students, leaders, and supporters join us for our annual Homecoming to celebration.   

we are inviting ANYONE  interested in our program or services (for themselves or for a loved one) to attend the Homecoming event to learn more about Life Issues Addiction Recovery Program   

WHEN :  Friday August 29th, 2025   7PM to 9PM

WHERE :  Heartland Baptist Fellowship
                            21203 E. 283rd St.
                            Harrisonville, MO 64701

WHY :  There are many reasons Life Issues would appreciate and enjoy your attendance

• To celebrate victory in your recovery journey
• To reconnect with your Life Issues friends & family
• To learn more about Life Issues and how we can help your or your loved one in their recovery

For more information about the Homecoming Event or Life Issues Addiction Recovery Program, feel free to contact Heartland Baptist Fellowship at (816)380-3033 or Founder & Pastor Steve Fleshman at (816)896-5621

Life Issues meets weekly on Fridays @ 7PM at Heartland Baptist Fellowship.

We also livestream our weekly meetings to our Life Issues YouTube Channel:  www.youtube.com/@stevefleshman9824

check out our channel for past meetings, videos, and future meetings.

You can also visit our Life Issues Facebook page for additional information and timely updates

To make a donation to Life Issues, please visit our LIFE-ISSUES-ONLINE-GIVING-SITE

Mark your calendars and make plans to join us !!

                  

Monthly Update - May & June 2025

Making a difference update, from the recovery field – May / June 2025 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months.



I. Benevolence

· We bought and gave groceries to a couple on 5-20

 
· We worked with HBF give benevolence to a lady 5-22

· We paid a motel for a man and wife for 4 nights on 6-9

· Worked with HBF to pay rent for a man on 6-13

· Gave emergency housing to a homeless man on 6-29 for 1 night

· Gave emergency housing to a lady for 2 nights on 7-1

· Helped multiple with transportation, food, and work around the church



II. Jail update

· I attended chaplain training on June 6 & 7, along with a few others from our church – see pic

· We sent money to a couple of inmates recently for phone time

· Jim S. just dropped off another case of Bibles to the Cass County Jail in early July



III. Church

· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship:

D1: These folks are in our one-on-one discipleship material –Tracy W. is with Pam J. (lesson #9), Julie S. is with Mary W. (lesson #6), T.J. C. is with Pat L. (lesson #1)

D2: Alana M., Brian R. Kelly T., and the Horton girls are going through D2 this year!

HBI: Pam J., and Mary W. are both taking classes in our 4-year Bible Institute – HBI.

TJH (The Journey Home): Crystal N. is with Dana M. (lesson#1), Tom M. is with Pat L. (lesson #9), Dane O. is with Brian R. (lesson #9), and Camille R. is with Linda J. (lesson #9), Kevin W. is with Pat L. (lesson #3), Nichole D. wants to begin TJH, once we get a sponsor.

Dana M. completed The Journey Home, we’re so proud of her!

· Church in the Park was on 6-2, and we had one man trust Christ as his savior, hallelujah!

· We also had a young man saved after church on 7-6, what a blessing!

· I went to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip on 6-17 thru 6-23, with 2 other men from our church and 9 people from a different church in the KC area. One of my main highlights was to lead a man named Junior to Christ, attached is a pic of him and I and the other men from our church.

 
· A group from our church worked at the Shepherd’s Staff food pantry on 6-20 – see pic.

 
IV. Recovery

· We provided a man with a reference letter for his court hearing on 6-10

· We provided an attendance report for a former student for an old court case on 7-6

· Pat L. and I performed memorial services for 2 different people in the last 2 months that were suicides and closely connected to our recovery group. We have some grieving survivors who can use prayers if you don’t mind asking the Father to heal some hearts with us…

· One of our young men went to rehab on 7-1, please pray that he will stay all 21 days.

· The Journey Home (TJH) workbook is ready to send electronically to others and for publishing.



V. Events

· Community Connection Day Report – Compass Health (Pat Lee, Life Issues Table) – June 20th, in Belton MO.

"On Community Connection Day, I had the opportunity to represent Life Issues by setting up our information table at Compass Health’s event, designed to link individuals and organizations working in the field of addiction recovery and support services. Throughout the day, I made meaningful connections with approximately 45 individuals, including participants of various recovery groups, Compass Health counselors, and Community Support Associates (CSAs) who specialize in helping clients connect with critical resources. The event proved to be an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about the Life Issues program and to collaborate with others on the front lines of recovery ministry and behavioral health support.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting Ryan Glidwell, a Workforce Development Specialist with Goodwill Services, whose resource table was set up directly next to mine. Ryan shared with me the substantial financial resources he has access to—resources that can be mobilized to help people not only find work but stay employed. These include practical support like Uber and gas cards for transportation, work boots, tools, and even food or rent assistance to help individuals avoid homelessness while maintaining employment. Ryan has already provided support to a couple of our Life Issues participants, and his partnership is truly a God-send. This new connection represents a powerful bridge between recovery and sustainable employment—exactly the kind of support that helps transform lives—exactly the kind of resource connections that we in Life Issues need to make! Praise the Lord for all that he does to lead, guide, and connect us to the future."

· Several from our church went to Shiloh Center’s annual Walk For Life – See pics.

More about Shiloh: Shiloh Center - Harrisonville, MO - Home

· Our annual Homecoming / Fundraiser event will be August 29th, 2025

Fundraising has started and we’re at $2000, on our way to $12,000

We now have pledge forms, so contact me if you’re interested in helping raise support.

You can scan the QR code, or cut and paste the link below into your browser to donate:

 

shelbygiving.com/App/Form/10483664-de94-4aeb-9926-faf12deb2518





VI. People

· Dana M. testimony 7-7-25: 

"A little over a year ago, I was sitting in jail with a high bond on charges that could potentially give me at least 10-15 years in prison. I’ve tried rehabs over the years but always went straight back to using drugs. This time was different. I cried to God in the shower to please wash my addiction down the drain.

I was released from jail with one more chance. I found HBF and Life Issues and immediately felt connected, loved, and supported, but never felt judged. I got saved after a Sunday morning service at HBF and got baptized within a few months, and I haven’t craved a substance since. I’m 13 months sober, and all my kids are back in my life! The feeling of sobriety and walking the path the Lord had intended for me is a high that’s better than any high I ever got from any drug I’ve ever done., 

If you truly want to change, pray, and ask the Lord for his help; He will work miracles in your life and you will never walk alone again! Dana M."




VII. Praises and Prayer requests

· Please pray for our upcoming Homecoming Fundraiser to supply us with the funds needed for 2026.

· I want to praise the Lord for the new recovery group in Monmouth Illinois, here’s a note from their leader, Bob Barry:

"MCBC Recovery has been in full swing for 3 months now. It’s still going a bit slow, but we have been blessed to have an average of 16 people at our Friday night meetings.

Recently we have experienced more visitors, mostly by invites. About 3 weeks ago we canvassed the City of Monmouth with 30 flyers that have pull tabs and placed them on any bulletin board that we could find in the community. We have noticed some tabs are being pulled. This past Friday we had our first guest who got her "tab invite" from the laundromat. Interesting enough she never goes to a laundromat but did this time to assist a client of hers as she does In Home Healthcare. I was giving God praises when she called to inquire. Based on how she responded and stayed behind for fellowship, I think we will be seeing more of her. That night we had 3 total visitors.

We are using a lesson and testimony rotation each week, which is going really well. Pastor Mike does our music, of which I am super thankful for his God given talent. August 1st, we have a scheduled cookout. Pray that these cookouts will foster deeper fellowship and will draw our visitors closer.

Pray for me as this has been a big life adjustment for me. Life got really busy adding the Recovery ministry while also working my full-time job. I'm claiming Prov 3:5-7 to navigate me through my busyness, insecurities and my calling to bring hope to the broken."



· Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2025, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…

Monthly Update - March & April 2025

Making a difference update, from the recovery field – March / April 2025 edition. Below are the highlights that happened in the Life Issues ministry over the last couple of months.


I. Benevolence

· Our church gave a week’s stay at a motel for one of our students in March

· Kelly R. took a lady to Heart and Hand in Belton on 3-12 to get necessities

· We gave a food box and gift cards to a couple of people on 3-16

· We gave transportation to court and back home to a lady on 4-2 and 5-7

· Our church helped one of our students get a new/er couch on 4-9

· We bought clothes and shoes for a lady, for her job on 4-18

· We helped a man with auto repair on 3-11 and 5-3

· We helped a lady with her electric bill on 3-14

· We helped a couple with their electric bill on 4-28

· We helped a lady with her rent on 5-14

· We gave several QT gas cards and Culver's gift cards in March & April

· Helped a family with 2 night’s stay at motel in April



II. Jail update

· I’m still corresponding with Justin W. who’s now in Jefferson City prison and going through discipleship but struggling so please pray for him.

· I talked to one of our men’s PO’s on 3-25, to verify his attendance.

· My friend Ted H. is scheduled to be released from Booneville prison on 6-3, and his home plan is to Kingdom House (by the plaza).

· Took Bibles to CCJ on 5-3 with Stan V. – see pic

· Sent money to inmate on 4-25

III. Church

· Several of our students and leaders are involved in discipleship:

o D1: These folks are in our one-on-one discipleship material –Tracy W. is with Pam J. (lesson #8), Kevin W. is with Pat L. (lesson #3), and Julie S. is with Mary W. (lesson #5)

o D2: Alana M., Brian R. Kelly T., and the Horton girls are going through D2 this year!

o HBI: Pam J., and Mary W. are both taking classes in our 4-year Bible Institute – HBI.

o TJH (The Journey Home): Tom M. is with Pat L. (lesson #9), Dane O. is with Brian R. (lesson #7), and Camille R. is with Linda J. (lesson #6), and Dana M. is with Mary W. (lesson #6), Nichole D. is with KJ (lesson #1)

· Sent program materials to Heath Sears (Pastor) in Texas on 3-11

· Vinnie and Megan Nigro gave powerful testimony on 4-11 – see pic

· I got to baptize Julie S. and Derek M. on 4-20 – see pic

IV. Recovery

· We gave 1 case of Bibles to Tommy McGee on 4-25, after he shared his testimony – see pic

· The Journey Home (TJH) update:

o TJH copyright registration was approved on 3-18-25

o We just finalized TJH workbook with formatting, fonts, addendums, etc. and are ready to send it electronically to others and also to a publisher!

· Kevin F. delivered a large group message on 3-14 – see pic

· One of our ladies was taken to detox on 3-17

· One of our men got a job with KFC on 3-18

· Another one of our men got a job in March tree trimming and is saving to buy a car!

· One of our ladies got a job on 4-9

· We helped connect Luke B. to a job on 3-10 and to housing on 4-6 – see pic

V. Events

· We took group pictures and break out pictures for our trifold on 3-29 – see pics

· Pat and Pam are going to lead a trauma recovery group series in June and July.

· We’re planning a group bowling day in July – outing to Raymore MO.

· Our annual Homecoming / Fundraiser event will be August 29th, 2025

o Fundraising has started and we’re at $1160, on our way to $12,000

o You can cut and paste the link below into your browser to donate:

shelbygiving.com/App/Form/10483664-de94-4aeb-9926-faf12deb2518





VI. People

· Derek & Christina were saved on 3-16

· Stan V. was saved on 5-3

· Camille R. testimony

"I have been involved with Life Issues now for 6 months or so (and am now over 5 months sober). When going thru The Journey Home, I am reminded that I'm not the only one that has struggles, and there are Bible verses that remind me to stay strong, and God will comfort me. And that thru prayer and reading the Bible will keep me in the path of righteousness. I have a great gal Linda (sponsor) that has been lifting me up and encouraging me spiritually with God's Word and prayer, and I’ve started attending church regularly near my home in KS. Linda’s a wonderful listener and truly has an amazing heart and she loves the Lord. I'm able to contact her anytime whether it's a simple text or phone call in between our meetings. I am extremely grateful for her and TJH."



VII. Prayer requests

· I’m going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with 2 other men from our church, we’ll be gone from June 17th thru June 23rd with 10 other folks from a church in Grain Valley, please pray for us.

· I’ve been meeting Charles. N. in Grandview for a few months, and he’s trying to get his wife away from meth, please pray for him / them.



Please pray for God to use us mightily in 2025, for without him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things! 

Sincerely, Steve Fleshman – Life Issues pastor and founder, Proverbs 4:23…