Paul Greene's journey from the depths of addiction to the pulpit gives hope for anyone seeking a path out of substance abuse. His group provides support, guidance, and Christian-based recovery resources for individuals struggling with addiction in Midland, Texas.
Paul Greene is a visionary and driving force behind the "Idle Hands" Recovery Church Group in Midland. Greene has dedicated his life to helping people find their way out of the darkness of addiction. A born-and-raised Midlander, Greene’s journey to recovery inspired him to create a safe haven for individuals seeking solace and healing in Midland, Texas.
As a recovering alcoholic and addict, Greene understands the daunting challenges that come with addiction, and he understands the long, often painful path to sobriety. After years of battling addiction and myriad health problems as a result, he found himself at the lowest point in his life.
In November 2021, doctors diagnosed Greene with Level-4 cirrhosis of the liver “due to chronic alcoholism,” along with a failing left ventricle. He was told that he had approximately one year left to live. Greene knew that he would be leaving behind his two children, so he turned to the only hope left to him.
“I prayed that God would give me the chance before I died to be the father that He created me to be for my kids. And I prayed that He would give me the opportunity to serve Him before I died,” Greene said during an interview with Midland Times.
In August 2022, nearly a year after Greene’s diagnosis, doctors were shocked to find that Greene’s liver and heart were back to full function with no evidence of damage.
“My doctors still can’t explain my turn of health, but I can,” Green said. “His name is Jesus, my Father, Savior, and Redeemer.”
Greene said he did not take any medication that year. “It was my Savior who healed and restored me,” he said.
Greene’s Idle Hand’s Recovery Group “is a complete vision from God,'' Greene said. His group emphasizes the importance of faith and community in the healing process by “offering a place where the ultimate goal is to provide a Christian environment to seek Christ first, then work towards recovery.” It offers a gospel-first approach to addiction recovery, serving individuals from all walks of life.
Greene’s group has brought hope to many. His view is that no one is beyond the reach of recovery and redemption. “If Jesus Christ can turn my life around, then he can do it for anyone,” Greene said.
Greene believes the success of Idle Hands is the result of a collective effort by numerous individuals and groups. In the interview, he expressed gratitude to Crestview Baptist Church for providing a meeting space for his group. He also thanked others in the community, including John-Mark Echols and Jay Marquez, for the guidance they provided.
Greene also praises board members’ vital roles in Idle Hands.
“All board members have been around since day one, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to stand behind Idle Hands,” Greene said.
Members of the Idle Hands board include Chris and Lisa Gonzalaz and Chase Yadon. Greene describes his board members as “vital tools” that helped make Idle Hands possible. According to Green, board members have their own “unique stories of hardships and coming to Christ.”
Greene said he gives special thanks to Cody Stroud, the co-founder of Idle Hands, and Caroline Brewster for their moral support. He says they help him stay “focused on [my] calling.”
Idle Hand’s Recovery Group offers hope for anyone struggling with addiction. Greene says his dedication to the mission is his driving force. He said that others often “cannot grasp how much of a positive impact a small group of believers can have on a community in need of special support.”
Idle Hands provides a range of services beyond its recovery group, including family nights, open Bible study sessions, and community volunteering events. More information about Idle Hands and its services, including a weekly schedule of events and activities, is available at https://idlehandsministries.com/