Field Notes
Fishing the Chesapeake with the Guys
Justin Franich
September 4, 2025 · 2 min read
We took the guys out on the Chesapeake Bay today for a fishing trip with Bay Hunter Charters. Captain Mason put us on the fish and gave the guys a day they won't forget.
This might not look like ministry on the surface, but it is. One of the things I hear over and over from guys in recovery is that they don't know what it looks like to enjoy life without substances. They've never been fishing sober. They've never sat on a boat with other men and just had a good day. No agenda, no curriculum, just life.
A big part of breaking free from addiction is learning who you are apart from the drugs. That means new experiences, new memories, and new rhythms. Over the past couple months, Shayne Weister and Seth have been facilitating these kinds of outings from our campus in Mount Jackson, Virginia. Hikes in the Shenandoah Valley, trips to the air and space museum, Antietam, Quantico. This fishing trip was part of that same rhythm.
Recovery isn't just about what you stop doing. It's about what you start doing.
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Justin Franich
Justin Franich is a former meth addict, Teen Challenge graduate, and pastor who has been clean since 2005. Today he's a husband, father, and Executive Director of Shenandoah Valley Adult Teen Challenge. He hosts the Rebuilding Life After Addiction podcast and helps families across the U.S. navigate faith-based recovery options, compare programs, and rebuild life after addiction.
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