2 MARCH 2026

“Can I help you?” When the church meets addiction with hope

Mark Pugh speaks with Phil Hills (Teen Challenge) and Timon Robins (Betel UK) on gospel hope in addiction recovery.

What does real transformation look like when the gospel reaches the margins?

In this latest episode of the Elim Leaders Podcast, Mark Pugh is joined by Phil Hills (Teen Challenge) and Timon Robins (Betel UK), two Christian drug rehabilitation ministries seeing breakthrough where others have given up hope. It’s a raw, hopeful conversation about addiction, belonging, and why discipleship must include the people society learns to look past.

Together they explore common roots behind addiction, including trauma, abandonment, rejection, and the deep human desire to fit in. Timon shares honestly from lived experience, and Phil names what many leaders recognise: people are often not looking for “another argument”, they are looking for a way out, and the Church carries good news for the most broken and least hopeful.

A key theme running through the episode is discipleship. Both Teen Challenge and Betel UK describe recovery not simply as abstinence, but as structured, prayerful community that helps rebuild a life: new rhythms, new identity, new relationships, and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring real freedom, not just coping.

There are also practical, immediately doable ideas for local churches. Phil challenges leaders not to wait for a big outreach plan, but to notice the “interruptions on the way”, the person beside you, the one everyone else avoids. Small beginnings matter, and one encounter can open doors to many more.

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

Listen to Episode 7 and subscribe at elim.org.uk/elimleaderspodcast.