Ministry Foundation (2023)
Damascus House Ministries was established with a vision to create a Christ-centered addiction recovery program in Georgetown County, South Carolina.
Our founding board members recognized the critical need for faith-based rehabilitation services in our community and set forth a multi-phase plan to address this need.
Key developments during this foundational period:
- Establishment of Damascus House as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Development of initial ministry vision and strategic plan
- Formation of founding board and ministry leadership team
- Partnership with Dunklin Memorial to adapt their proven curriculum
- Initial outreach to Georgetown County Detention Center
GCDC Program Launch
(Early 2024)
In early 2024, Damascus House launched its first active ministry program at the Georgetown County Detention Center. This initial program offered a 3-week intensive curriculum to inmates struggling with substance abuse issues, providing biblical teaching, addiction education, and spiritual counseling.
Key achievements during this phase:
- Recruitment and onboarding of Program Directors Vic Wilson and Dillon Dowler
- Implementation of adapted Dunklin Memorial curriculum for detention center context
- Establishment of positive working relationship with GCDC leadership
- Development of trust and credibility within the inmate community
- Achievement of 527 Inmate Contact Days in 2024
- Recognition through SC Opioid Relief Fund Board Grant Award
GCDC Program Expansion
(2025-Present)
Building on the success of our initial program, Damascus House expanded its detention center ministry in January 2025, transitioning from a 3-week program to a comprehensive 12-week continuous structure. This expansion represents a more than 400% increase in our direct ministry impact.
Current program elements include:
- Dedicated housing unit (I-Block) for up to 14 program participants
- Comprehensive 12-week rotational curriculum
- 26 weekly program hours including evening worship and Celebrate Recovery sessions
- Big Brother/Little Brother mentoring system for participant development
- Projected 2,300-2,500 Inmate Contact Days in 2025
- Enhanced staffing with addition of part-time program personnel
This expanded program serves as the foundation for our broader ministry vision, providing crucial early intervention for men struggling with addiction while they are still in custody.
Campus Development Planning (2025-2026)
While our detention center program continues to grow, Damascus House is actively planning for the next major phase of ministry development: a residential rehabilitation campus in Georgetown County. Rather than remaining in the “proposed” stage, we are now actively evaluating practical options for establishing this crucial ministry component.
Our current focus areas include:
- Evaluating multiple property options in Georgetown County, ranging from 5-50 acres
- Exploring potential interim facilities that could accelerate our timeline for offering residential services
- Meeting with engineering and construction partners to develop feasible campus designs
- Researching sustainable program industry options to support ongoing operations
- Building strategic partnerships with experienced rehabilitation ministries
- Developing a comprehensive capital campaign strategy
This active planning phase represents our commitment to making the residential campus vision a reality through practical, measured steps rather than waiting for a single “perfect” opportunity.
Future Vision – Full Continuum of Care
The ultimate vision for Damascus House Ministries is to offer a complete continuum of care that begins during incarceration and extends through long-term recovery support.
As we continue to develop our ministry, we anticipate adding these components:
- Transitional housing for men released from detention prior to completing the full rehabilitation program
- 11-month residential rehabilitation program based on the proven Dunklin Memorial model
- Vocational training through on-site program industry
- Graduate reentry support and aftercare services
- Family reconciliation programs
As we grow, Damascus House is also pursuing a Charity Navigator 4-star rating (application in process for 2025), demonstrating our dedication to the highest standards of financial stewardship, accountability, and transparency in all aspects of our ministry.
Through this comprehensive approach, Damascus House seeks to address not only the immediate challenges of addiction but also the underlying spiritual, relational, and practical issues that contribute to substance abuse. Our goal is transformation—not just recovery—as men discover their identity and purpose in Christ.
Through this comprehensive approach, Damascus House seeks to address not only the immediate challenges of addiction but also the underlying spiritual, relational, and practical issues that contribute to substance abuse.
Our goal is transformation—not just recovery—as men discover their identity and purpose in Christ.
More About Our Foundational Curriculum
Rescue, Redeem, and Restore
Damascus House is built upon the 60-year-old foundational curriculum created by Dunklin Memorial in Okeechobee, FL. After reviewing the facilities and programs of many other recovery centers in America, the board of Damascus House wholeheartedly settled on the extremely successful programming and curriculum of Dunklin.
For more on Dunklin you can visit www.dunklin.org.
Pray
Join us in prayer for the men still struggling with addiction and those currently in our program, that they may develop a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for our staff to be continually empowered and equipped by the Lord to minister the gospel effectively. Also, pray for the alumni of Damascus House, that they may pursue Jesus daily above all else.
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