Stauros is a Greek word in the New Testament for the cross of Christ. The Foundation ministers to those who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs, and offers support to their families.
When the words alcoholic or addict are mentioned, so many people conjure up an image of a "down and out" with no home to go to or someone sticking a needle in their arm. But the majority of addicts lie hidden in the structure of society.
Of course there are many who require social and material help, and there are those who require detoxification and rehabilitation at special centres. Yet many can be reached before falling to this level.
The purpose of the Stauros Foundation is to offer help at whatever point they can. Representatives from the agency, together with many volunteers in the UK and beyond, are ministering support and reconciliation to those needy people and their families.
A great strength of the Stauros movement is the group meetings, where contacts feel at home with other people who can identify with the fears and tension of addiction. Jesus said:
"They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick, I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
These words are most appropriate to the work of the Stauros Foundation. The Foundation is an evangelistic agency with a Biblical base: believing that all the variety of need prevalent in our society can be met in an experience of conversion to Jesus Christ. Paul says:
"lf any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."
In embryo, our message is that new life in Christ leads to contented sober living.