Rev. Rick Hagans, founder of Harvest Evangelism, and Laura Fuller, board member, offered the club an overview of the organization. Hagans knew at about 14 years of age that he was called to work with those that were less fortunate. Harvest Evangelism was founded 25 years ago to help (mostly men) find God and break addictions to alcohol and drugs. Hagans founded His Place (in Opelika) to collect and restore men that were homeless and addicted. Currently, there are 20 men living at His Place. They spend a year there, waking up very early, studying the Bible, learning how to socialize, interviewing for jobs and becoming regimented and disciplined (basically learning how to re-enter society). About 80 percent of His Place graduates don’t return to alcohol and drug dependence and become productive citizens (some start back to school to finish their education).

The program is so successful that judges sometimes “sentence” men to enter His Place as a sentencing alternative. Hagans has also started facilities that help women in need of assistance. Several years ago, he founded Hosanna Home for battered women and their children as a safe haven from abusive husbands as well as women addicted to alcohol and drugs. Currently there are 10 women and 10 children living there. About two months ago, Hagans converted the former Batson Cook Hospital in Lafayette to a women’s shelter, which is currently serving 28 families.

Pictured (left to right): Club President Debbie Shaw, program host Becky Richardson, Harvest Evangelism Rev. Rick Hagans, and board member Laura Fuller