STEPS Ministries Overview

This material outlines what we are doing and where we are going:

1. Video of the Why, Who, What, and How
2. “STEPS Ministries Overview” document
3. Links to supporting web pages
4. Videos related to the overview
5. A letter of introduction

1. Watch this video with highlights of what we are doing:

2. Click to read the “STEPS Ministries Overview” document.

3. Here are links to web pages about what STEPS Ministries does:

• STEPS Content Portal
• STEPS Ministries website
• Our Boards and Director
• Endorsements
• Newsletters

4. These videos (most 1 or 2 minutes) highlight aspects of the overview:

STEPS Ministries mission and purpose:

• “STEPS Overview”
• “You Can Make a Difference”
• “Understanding the Why”
• “Why Starfish Matter”

Board member testimonials:

• “Richard E. Simmons III on addiction and prevention”
• “Don Menendez with a message on prevention”

STEPS Proactive Parenting (“PACES for Parents”):

• “Understanding the Need”
• “Protect Kids From Addiction”

STEPS Life Improvement (“Real Life 101”):

• “Real Life 101” 
• “What is Your Worldview?”

The “Courageous Hope for Hurting People” project:

• “Courageous Hope for Hurting People”
• “How the World Thinks About Addiction”

STEPS Addiction Prevention (“The Prevention Project”):

• “Lifestyle of Recovery”
• “How to Prevent Addiction”

STEPS Business Wellness (“LEAP” consulting and training):

• “What’s Missing from Wellness”
•  “Dealing with Workplace Stress”

How we can help people we know:

• “Someone at Work Has an Addiction Problem”
• “When Someone Close to You is Struggling”

Dealing with the COVID pandemic:

• “STEPS for a Crisis”
• “STEPS Ministries – Opportunities in a Crisis”

Speaking and event examples:

• “STEPS Overview Montage” 
• “End Heroin Bham 2020 with STEPS Ministries”

5. Below is an introduction to our ministry:

There are tremendous numbers of hurting people in Birmingham and the U.S. Our goals are to help people improve their lives, grow closer to God, and prevent addiction. Our strategy is to create and deliver content and training and work with other organizations to impact lives and enhance the quality of life locally and in families and communities around the country.

“STEPS Ministries has a unique approach to prevent addiction by helping people before their lives are dangerously impacted. This is a ministry that is desperately needed!” (Richard E. Simmons III, Founder at The Center for Executive Leadership)

More people suffer from substance use disorder than cancer, diabetes, or heart conditions. It is a medical disease—an epidemic—causing more deaths than motor vehicle accidents, homicides, and suicides (National Center on Addiction and Drug Abuse). And of those suffering, the U.S. Surgeon General says that 90% of them will not get help. Even though addiction is treatable!

“I value the importance of a proactive approach to addressing addiction. Having knowledge about the signs, symptoms, and behaviors of addiction can help family members and friends of those in addiction know how to react, respond, and prevent it. STEPS Ministries is uniquely qualified to do this work.” (Justin Worthington, Principal at Red Street Investment Company)

Amazingly, addiction is also preventable! The U.S. Surgeon General said, “Few would disagree with the notion that preventing substance use disorders from developing in the first place is ideal. Prevention programs and policies are available that have been proven to do just that.”

“The delivery of health care is shifting its focus from treating symptoms of disease to preventing it all together. STEPS is built upon real world experiences honed over decades that allow it to speak with authority to individuals, institutions, and companies concerning addiction and prevention.” (Tom Majors, Vice President at Merge Healthcare)

Substance abuse in the U.S. costs society in many ways including increased healthcare costs, lower productivity, and loss of life and personal assets. The estimated cost of drug abuse in the United States is more than $740 billion a year and growing (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

Addiction is also a business problem: “75% of people struggling with addiction are employed full-time” (Psychology Today). It impacts company productivity and profits as well as wellness, insurance, and benefits programs. Workers with substance issues are 3 times as likely to utilize medical benefits and are 40% of industrial fatalities and 50% of workers’ compensation claims.

“STEPS is a book that can change lives. As a senior business executive, I have seen the difference in people who can demonstrate resilience in challenging circumstances. This book will make you a more resilient person and help you achieve your highest potential.”
(Brad Rex, former General Manager at Disney’s Epcot Theme Park)

“Steve Ward is a passionate trainer who … delivers practical exercises that promote resilience and health consciousness. There are few trainers who combine deep corporate experience, first-hand knowledge of the importance of prevention, and also superlative facilitation skills.” (Joel Bennett Ph.D., President at Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems)

Substance abuse is a danger for young people: “75% of high school students have used addictive substances including tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine” (The Center on Addiction). That’s why STEPS Ministries delivers training to equip parents to help their kids avoid addiction.

“Our church and staff firmly believe in and strongly support STEPS Ministries. Our church is increasing its focus on working with parents of youth. These parents are desperately looking for help to protect their kids against addiction, and STEPS Ministries is a perfect partner for the church in this effort.” (Bob Flayhart, Senior Pastor at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church) 

“STEPS Ministries is instrumental in helping individuals and families in areas of awareness, education, and connection for the topic of addiction.” (Greg Werchanowskyj, Morgan Stanley)

I know first-hand the dangers of substance abuse. I was a highly-functioning alcoholic for 30 years, and my wife struggled with alcohol as well. We faced traumatic struggles and pain as our older son sank deeper and deeper into drug and alcohol abuse in high school.

Addiction is a tornado that tears family’s apart. I know many people who lost a spouse, sibling, parent, friend, or coworker to addiction. But the pain seems especially acute with parents, and I know far too many who have lost a son or daughter to this disease.

“This seminar was the best investment of time I have made recently, and I can recommend this session to other parents without hesitation.”

“This is the beginning of a powerful, wonderful message, not just for folks in the middle of dangerous addiction, but even for the parent who does not fear this for their child.”

“I highly recommend this to everyone—so much insight and great information regarding addiction and the heart journey for all those touched by addiction.”

Most people suffering from substance use disorder struggle alone under a blanket of shame and stigma forming one of the most disenfranchised groups of people in the country. With the right resources and by working together, we can tear down the barriers that block these people from improving their lives today so they can build a better tomorrow. We can impact lives.

Steve Ward
Founder and Executive Director at STEPS Ministries