02/09/2026
Thank you Kent Mattox for always standing for those who do not have a voice. Blessed to walk with you on this journey! We love you!
Press Release: Response to Recent Mischaracterization of 7 Springs Recovery Ministry
Recently, the Oxford City Chief of Police released a Facebook post regarding an incident at 7 Springs Recovery Ministry. In his post, he cited a recent event involving an individual from Mobile County and subsequently expressed concerns about the perceived problems recovery centers are causing in our communities.
While it is true that a man left our program, this incident was promptly reported to his probation officer, and within 24 hours, he was incarcerated in Mobile. The post created an impression that this individual was roaming our community with potential criminal intent. This portrayal is misleading. Just as individuals may leave jails, hospitals, or schools and later engage in criminal activities, this does not reflect the integrity of those institutions.
It is important to clarify that Seven Springs is not a locked facility; we offer a safe and controlled environment with surveillance to help individuals better their lives. Anyone can leave but must be willing to face the consequences of a probation violation if applicable. Some individuals may be asked to leave due to repeated violations of our rules, which is crucial for maintaining the safety and security of our environment. Typically, family members or our staff arrange transportation back to their home l
Or counties when someone departs.
We do not house s*x offenders or violent criminals; we are referred to by drug courts for individuals with drug-related offenses. While some recovery programs may be corrupt, so too can police departments, businesses, and governmental agencies. This does not mean that all entities are flawed. The City of Oxford is not run by a corrupt mayor or council, nor is the police department or the chief of police corrupt. We hold the police chief, a decorated and long-serving civil servant, in high regard. Moreover , 7 springs is also is not corrupt nor have violated any laws or regulations.
In light of the concerns raised, I met with the mayor and the chief of police to discuss the Facebook post respectfully. I appreciate their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, which led to the retraction of the post. Our meeting was productive, and we are committed to improving communication to enhance community safety while continuing our vital work.
I want to reassure the community that Seven Springs operates as a high-quality, well-regulated, faith-based recovery center. We adhere to strict standards and guidelines, and while we acknowledge that mistakes can happen, our goal is to learn and improve continuously. We are currently in the process of certification with ACRM, a faith-based regulatory body for Alabama and the nation, which has 204 guidelines to ensure our program's integrity. We are also aligning with President Trumps federal initiatives concerning faith based recovery.
Historically, we have endured unfounded accusations and statements aimed at undermining our character and the important work we do. We will no longer tolerate such mischaracterizations. We will utilize the legal avenues available to us to defend our reputation.
We remain proud of our founders, our dedicated staff, and our congregation, all of whom have sacrificed to provide a safe haven for healing, deliverance, and transformation through the grace of God.
Thank you for your attention and support.
Kent Mattox
Founder Word Alive International Outreach / Board Member 7 Springs Recovery
You can watch my response by connecting to the link in the comments.
