Faith On Every Corner - April 2020

Finding Hope in a Crisis

By Anthony Acampora

It’s truly shocking how our lives can be so dramatically altered within such a short period of time. We abruptly come to the realization of how fragile life is and how every day is, in fact, a gift from God.

Let’s look at this from a more encouraging perspective. I could not help but notice how this horrible and devastating global pandemic called coronavirus (COVID-19) could actually bring people together. When you look past the anxiety, fear, uncertainty, tremendous loss of life, and grief, you may realize that we are all on the same side of what may prove to be one of the greatest battles in our lifetime. Almost overnight our sports heroes and Hollywood actors have vanished from the scene, and streets and shops are empty. We begin to understand who the true heroes are in our society: doctors, nurses, law enforcement, firemen, and paramedics, to name a few. For many people the words faith and hope, which may have been used as punchlines, begin to take on far deeper meaning. Loving our neighbor no longer seems like such a difficult chore but rather something we truly feel led to do.

So, from where do we draw our strength? How do we remain calm in this storm? During the many storms in my life, I began to draw tremendous strength from my faith and trust in God. In my weakness He became an ever-present strength. Dealing with this pandemic is no different. I look to God’s Word for strength, peace, hope, and direction. Consider this from Hebrews 6:19 “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”

An anchor provides stability in the storm. As it keeps a ship from drifting, so too will that anchor of hope provide us with stability through this terrible storm. Consider one more passage: Matthew 11:28 where Jesus is speaking, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

So often we think we need to figure things out on our own and asking for help would show a sign of weakness. This may be something you learned growing up, but it is not how God wants us to approach adversity and trials; God’s way is quite the contrary. We do not have to get all cleaned up and then go to God as some denominations teach where guilt and judgment reign supreme. We have a Heavenly Father who has an unconditional love for us and knows us better than we know ourselves. That fact should provide some comfort as God knows our every thought, every hurt we have caused others, and every time we rejected Him. Yet, He still loves us, wants a relationship with us, and has a plan for us. It doesn’t get any more hopeful than that.

May God bless and protect you and your family during these difficult times. May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding be poured out on the families and loved ones of those lost to this horrendous virus.

Anthony Acampora is the Faith Program Director & Chaplain at Banyan Treatment Centers. He is a published author, writer and speaker. He earned a Masters in Ministry from Vision International University and received an Advanced Diploma in Biblical Studies from the Int’l School of Ministry. He is a former board member of the Henderson Behavioral Health, FACT and the National Alliance Mental Illness, Broward County. In 2019 Anthony was selected “Professional of the Year” by: Broward National Recovery Month Organization. In 2018 he was selected as Global Goodwill Ambassador representing the USA. In 2015 he received the “Volunteer Recognition Award” from National Alliance Mental Illness, Broward County In 2014 - Selected “Public Citizen of the Year by: National Association of Social Workers, Broward County. He is the host of the Faith in Recovery Show.

Anthony Acampora

Note from the Editor:

We received a great letter telling us about Anthony from his COO Eric Oakes. We cannot run the entire letter but wanted to put few words from Eric in this issue. Thank you Eric from Faith On Every Corner.

This essay isn’t about people who practice their faith. This isn’t about those who seek religion. This isn’t about a prophet, or even a tale of great works by great leaders. This is about people who seek shelter from the storm of addiction, and find, hunkered down with them, a soul who provides just a little more than the shelter they sought. This is a secular commentary on the impact of Anthony Acampora, Chaplain of Banyan Treatment Centers and Program Director of our Faith in Recovery Program. This is an experiential impression and analysis of the role of one chaplain in the world of addictions and behavior health treatment.

I am the Chief Operations Officer of Banyan Treatment Centers, a national company with 11 Behavioral Health Centers in five states. Five years ago I began my journey with this company as the Executive Director, when Banyan was a fledgling outpatient concern. The Company’s first impression revealed little to the naked eye—just halls and doors, and a handful of people diligently and purposefully moving in and out of its matrix. My decision to join this particular company was based, uncharacteristically for me, on a feeling. While usually preferring science over the more nuanced “gut”, or instincts, I departed from reason and chose to allow emotion to rule my intellect. Five years later I have yet to look back.

One afternoon, I received a random email from the furloughed pastor of this recently closed program across town, and I met the Chaplain, Anthony Acampora the next day. Before me sat a large, looming figure, whose fidgets and child-like nervous giggles were in stark contrast to his former football player impression. What was a stilted back and forth at first developed quickly into a several hour conversation, very little of it about religion or even employment. Going purely on instinct without evidence, Anthony was hired for a yet to be defined reason. Again, five years later, I have yet to look back.

Anthony Acampora came to run the Faith in Recovery Program at Banyan Treatment Center. He built the program. He created the energy, and he gave what he had to help them forge a path forward. He built a small chapel in our Outpatient Center. He invited speakers from the faith community. He ran a solid program. But in the process, he did what became most important to me. He became a fixture in our staff and our treatment community. He came to lead many meetings and events with an opening prayer. He offered his “services” of pastoral comfort to all staff by mere presence. Many staff of many faiths and stages of discovery seem to instinctively understand that Anthony is here for them.

www.banyantreatmentcenters.com