Miracle Hill Overcomers Center

ABOUT MIRACLE HILL MINISTRIES - OVERCOMERS CENTER

Miracle Hill Ministries is a faith-based program and one of 38 (35.2 percent) of all private, nonprofit treatment programs in South Carolina. It is a Christian organization based in Greenville, S.C., and provides a variety of services that address concerns including poverty, hunger, and behavioral health problems. Among its offerings is the Overcomers Center, a faith-based, residential treatment center for men seeking treatment for substance abuse. The program is long-term and does not include detox support.

According to Overcomers Center's handbook, the center doesn't accept “guests who are transgendered or who are in the transgender process”. The center’s handbook lists “cross-dressing” among its disqualifying offenses.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

The Overcomers Center is one of 47 (43.5 percent) of treatment programs in South Carolina with treatment programs specifically for men. The treatment process begins with a pre-exam, which includes drug screening.

All clients must have completed detox before beginning Overcomers Center’s application process. Once accepted, clients begin a 30-day pre-program, a trial period during which residents gain privileges, fulfill programmatic requirements, and ultimately decide if they wish to “become an Overcomer.”

Following the pre-program, clients spend the next 27 weeks working through a highly structured curriculum founded in 12-step principles. In South Carolina, 72.2 percent of the treatment facilities use some form of the 12-step program. The program is comprised of four phases that focus on spiritual foundations, inner healing, building healthy relationships, and life planning. Participants engage in a mix of individual counseling, group counseling, educational workshops, Bible study, and devotional services.

Program graduates are strongly encouraged to reside at one of the center’s eight transitional housing facilities for a period of six months. All transitional housing residents attend weekly support groups and meet with a mentor on a regular basis. Most alumni stay in the transition home for at least six months.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The center does not employ any medical personnel. The staff includes counselors, though it is not clear if any hold official credentials or qualifications. The staff also includes volunteers on occasion, as well as clergy and church affiliates.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Accommodations are straightforward, and sleeping quarters are shared. Clients’ bunks must be “ready for inspection” by 6:55 a.m. every morning. Clients are also expected to participate in the general upkeep and cleaning of the facility. The facility’s amenities include a Christian library, a heavily monitored computer lab, and a weight room. Visitation is limited and typically reserved for immediate family members. Tobacco use is prohibited.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

At the time of this writing, four alumni provided feedback to Rehabs.com about their experience at Overcomers. Three reviews were positive and the other was negative. BA wrote how the “people there do not like you to be questioning them or their program” before being “taken to a bus station and left there” after being asked “to leave.” Chris wrote how “you need (little) money in here they take care of everything.” Grayson, who indicated that he now volunteers with the program, gave five out of five stars for the facility’s cleanliness and three out of five stars for its visitor policy.

On Google, Miracle Hill Overcomers Center has an average rating of 4.8 out of five stars from 18 reviews to date.^[1] Reviewers indicated that although it “was not an easy program,” it was life changing and effective. Harold wrote how there were “Great Christian staff doing great work.”

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

The two loved ones polled by Rehabs.com to date shared mixed reviews about their experience with Overcomers. V.M. provided positive feedback about the “excellent program” and highlighted their brother’s recent employment. The loved one gave five out of five stars for the facility’s pricing, level of staff support, and exercise opportunities. However, one anonymous family member took issue with the staff’s level of training. “There was obviously no qualified addition specialist counseling him as there was no addressing the problems with the family and holding him accountable to past issues,” this reviewer wrote.

FINANCING

An $85 program fee must be paid upon arrival. Overcomers Center partners with external service providers for medical and dental support, for which some insurance plans are accepted. The Overcomers Center is a part of the 68.5 percent of facilities in the state that accept health insurance.

CONCLUSION

Miracle Hill Ministries received a religious exemption from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to continue the faith-based federally funded foster care program that only works with Christians, reported the Washington Post in January 2019. Miracle Hill's policy was scrutinized following the implementation of a government regulation that "prohibits groups receiving federal funding from discriminating on the basis of religion," according to The Greenville News.

^[1] GoogleReviews