A Pastor Who Overcame Alcohol Addiction Shares Her Powerful Testimony

Beloved teacher and minister Irene Rollins joins our episode titled “The Healing Power of Family & Love.” She talks about hiding her alcohol addiction while co-leading a megachurch, and what ultimately led her to break the cycle. Plus, she tells us about her new book, “Reframe Your Shame: Experience Freedom From What Holds You Back.”

 
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[lt]

I appreciate her transparency. People forget that leaders in the church are human & have their own crosses to bare. Thank God for God's grace.

[daniterry]

A LOT of Pastors struggle with stuff…no shame, just a stronger support system.

[RC-uluc]

Love that her husband stuck by her through it.. that's a blessing

[phoebejobando]

This is great as a Christian raised in church and a wife of a minister just realized that we need to pray more for our leaders because struggles are real and the more we make church a safe place to share struggles it heals more because people can relate and get help

[TheJanayWellsShow]

That's my pastor! Love you Pastor Irene❣️ Romans 8:28 🙏🤗💯🙌

[jacquidavis]

I was in the audience that day when Pastor Irene shared her testimony. I have never ceased to be godly proud of her!!! Thank God for all of the people who will be positively impacted by her story.

[tawanaroberts]

Congratulations to her. I know her walk was not easy but GOD! Her transparency, credibility, and resilience will save lives👏🏾🙏🏾

[yolandam]

What a fantastic story. Congratulations to her for being sober and talking to her congregation so they know they're not alone.

[ladyblackbgb]

Alcoholism is a disease not a choice…. It is Courageous of her to discuss this publicly. God bless her and her family. I pray she stays strong.

[wally]

Very grateful to hear her story. I'm a struggling alcoholic also. I want so much to be better. I can't be afraid of rehab.

[schurrlittle]

AND THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD NOT JUDGE PEOPLE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, AND EVERYONE NEEDS PRAYERS NOT TO BE CONDEMNED!! IRENE IS THE TRUE HERO BECAUSE SHE GOT HELP!!😊

[Lodeenie]

This was a life shifting interview for me. I'm ordering thr book today! Alcoholism isn't my disease but I've got plenty of shame.

[rosellahorsey]

My pastor I will never forget the day she shared this with us all! A model for generations to come. Love you min irene Rollins ❤💞✋️

[Rogue]

I still attend the church Jimmy and Irene used to lead. She's not just talking like this on this platform, she and her husband have a rawness and authenticity that is so rare amongst church leaders. They genuinely don't like people acting holy around them, they push people to address the root of their dysfunction.

This platform is just God's response to her faithfulness on a much smaller stage. Congrats

[kaushawells]

She was my Pastor y’all! Luv her to pieces and happy for her!!

[sweetazzpiew]

Praise God she's free from alcohol 🙏🏾

[IreneLinder]

My name is Irene, recovering alcoholic, recovering shame addict, my husband gave me the same ultimatum. 2 years sober and rehab was the kick start I needed. Thank you Jesus!

[hadeev]

I applaud this pastor for finding the strength to live, get help and save her marriage and family. What a testimony! I pray she achieves much success, as she shares her testimony, and empowers others to seek healing and help.

In March of 1982, a coworker and I became fast friends, and eventually best friends. We were living in NYC at the time. She was from Jamaica West Indies, and I am of Caribbean descent. We used to go clubbing weekly, and hang out after work for Happy Hour. I could never embrace alcohol culture, so one drink was my limit. Every time my friend and I hung out, she would get smashed...pissie drunk, to be specific. I always ended up making sure she got to her Harlem apartment safely, while a cab driver waited for me to return to the car, so he could take me home in the Bronx. My friend was in denial she was an alcoholic. When I became a mom in 1983, and a Christian in 1985, I didn't want to hang out with her anymore. In recent years, her alcohol addiction grew to 2 bottles of wine with dinner every night. She got married and has 2 grown children. Over twenty years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Doctors told her there was a link between excessive wine consumption and breast cancer. She didn't believe the doctors or the science. Her husband gave her an ultimatum. She chose wine. He remarried 2 years ago, to a woman who is a Christian minister. My now former friend has subjected their children to years of emotional and psychological abuse. The son put his life on hold to move back home and care for her. Here she is now, at age sixty-one, still drinking wine, and dealing with an additional health issue. The breast cancer metastasized to her brain. Her doctor asked her to look into hospice care. It's a no for her. She's at home with her son and her wine, denying she is going to die within a year or two. Their daughter is away at college. My former friend was one of the smartest people I knew, built a few businesses from the ground up, but doesn't believe she's an alcoholic. Everyone else is ther problem. Alcoholics don't realize, when they drink, everyone around them is symbolically drinking too. I haven't seen my former friend since 1998, and we haven't spoken in years. It's a shame the friendship had to end over something like this.

[ansonjaking]

NOW THIS RIGHT HERE is what THE REAL church of today is looking for. Leaders that are transparent FOR REAL & REAL enough to share themselves enough to say I NEED HEALING & DELIVERANCE TOO! Im proud of her & so glad she is free. This is what keeping it 100 in the pulpit is!! So proud of her🙏♥️

[healthesoul]

I'm praying for everyone who needs a Miracle. Only God can do the impossible, He can make a way when there seems to be no way. I pray God touches your health, your home, your family, your faith, and your finances. Amen! 🙏🙏💖💖