Duggars to appear at benefit for transition facility

As a benefit for Midwest Ministry Care Center's newly opened Ruth House, aimed at helping women coming out of inpatient alcohol/drug abuse programs, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar of the TLC show "19 Kids & Counting" will be coming to Lynwood Baptist Church on May 4.

Ruth House, which opened Feb. 1, provides a residential, Christ-centered program for women to bridge the gap between inpatient treatment and going home, according to a news release from Midwest Ministry Care Center, which is affiliated with Lynwood Baptist Church.

New program participants must demonstrate at least 30 consecutive days of sobriety, the release said. Candidates for admission to the Midwest Ministry Care Center Residential Program for Women should be willing to commit to a program stressing spiritual, emotional and physical health, the release said.

Midwest Ministry Care Center director Kevin Coffee said the program currently has two participants and multiple applications are being processed. The program, named for Ruth from the Bible, has been advertised at treatment facilities across the state and through churches.

"We feel like we've had a very good start. Our program is designed for a pretty specific" participant in mind, Coffee said. Eventually, if Ruth House proves successful, other women's facilities of its type may be established.

At the May event, the Duggars will talk about their life's journey and the entire family will demonstrate their musical talents, the release said. The family will be available for a meet-and-greet and book signing and books will be available for purchase at the event, the release said.

"They believe the Bible is the owner's manual for our lives," the release said. "They have written two New York Times best selling books, '20 & Counting' and 'A Love that Multiplies.'"

Coffee said the event came about through a church member familiar with the Duggars. After agreeing to come to Cape Girardeau, the Duggars learned about Midwest Ministry Care Center. "They were very excited," Coffee said, adding that the ministry resonated with the couple.

"We believe we'll sell out," Coffee said. "We have 1,000 tickets available" and 400 already have been sold.

Jim Bob Duggar was an Arkansas state representative from 1999 to 2002. The couple's four oldest daughters, Jana, Jill, Jessa and Jinger, released their book, "Growing Up Duggar," earlier this month, the release said. Season 8 of the show starts April 1.

The Duggars' show has been on 10 years with 200 episodes, the release said. Through the years, it has gone through many names as the family has grown, the release said.

The event starts at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m., the release said. General admission tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at Lynwood Baptist Church. All proceeds benefit the Midwest Ministry Care Center, which operates the residential program for women in recovery, as well as a center for professional Christian counseling, the release said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

2935 Lynwood Hills Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.