ARM 180 Holds Ribbon Cutting

Five years ago, Ron and Jenn Worbington opened ARM 180, a men’s recovery, faith-based ministry outside DeWitt. The couple had been through their own faith based program in Jonesboro 12 years ago, and knew God was calling them to something more. They met two couples from our area, who believed in the mission, and God worked out the details. Allowing them to open their ministry on Murphy Road and in the last five years, the ministry has grown and helped so many men and their families.

The ministry has added a staff house, where the staff members live on site, offices for the administrative work, an addition to the main bunk house, a beautiful deck built by residents and a gazebo out front. A ribbon cutting was held on Monday, August 11, with the help of the DeWitt Chamber of Commerce. Representatives from Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, who has helped in funding of ARM 180 were there, in addition to other supporters of the ministry and family members of former and current residents.

Dustin Moffatt, of Hamburg, currently a resident and overseer, gave a tour of the facility and shared some of his own story.

“When I came here, I was headed for a divorce. I was not a Godly man and didn’t know God. Now, I am a Godly man, have my wife and three kids back. That’s what this place does. It restores you and your life to what it was meant to be.” shared Moffatt. 

The residents, of which there are 29 at the moment, attend 20 hours of classes each week and work 20 hours in the community each week to earn their stay here. The facility can hold 37 residents.

The program is a minimum of seven months up to a year, helping residents realign their life to its real purpose without drugs or alcohol.

This all began when a group of people went after big pharmaceutical companies because of the opioid crisis that was taking lives. The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership helps to fund 200 projects going on after the opioid crisis and the pandemic which created a perfect storm of sorts in a bad way. So ARHP began helping fund ministries to help those who were addicted.

Lynn Hawkins, with ARHP said, “It is an honor and privilege to pay it forward. We appreciate Hunter, Jenn and Ron. They have made a huge impact on our area.

With the help of ARHP they have added 14 beds, a commercial kitchen and a workshop.

Mark and Julie Boling are supporters of the ministry and said, “People need places like this to come and get help, and hope. Those who have been through this know how to help others.”

Mark went on to say, “When we started this we did feel God wanted us to have this, and He sent the right people to make it happen. And it has.”

They are fixing to celebrate 100 graduates from the program, which is something to be proud of. These men have become better husbands, fathers, sons and members of the community.

If you would like to help support the ministry, contact them at 870-946-6365 or their website arm180dewitt.com or Facebook at ARM180.