About STAND
Standing Together Against Negative Decisions
STAND started with a simple conviction: people don't recover in isolation, and they weren't meant to. We're a faith-based recovery ministry built around honest community, steady support, and the belief that no one is too far gone.
Our Story
Why we exist
STAND was born out of James Deese's own journey — after more than seven years in recovery himself, and now serving in ministry development through IGO, James wanted to build the community he wished he'd had when he was fighting to get free.
Alongside his wife Abbie, a certified life coach with a Master's Degree from the University of South Alabama, they built STAND to be a place where anyone facing addiction, old habits, or the pull toward another negative decision can find a way forward — together.
Abbie and James have been together 15 years and married for 13 (their anniversary is July 4th), and have called Life Church in Mobile, Alabama home for over a decade — the faith community that continues to shape STAND today.
Our Mission
To walk alongside people making the hardest decisions of their lives, offering the community, accountability, and faith they need to keep standing.
What We Believe
The values behind every meeting
Recovery is communal, not private
The decisions that hurt us are often made in isolation. We believe healing happens the same way it's undone — together.
Grace has no expiration date
Relapse, setbacks, and hard seasons don't disqualify anyone from a seat at the table. There's always a way back in.
Faith is the foundation, not a requirement
We center our work on God, but you don't need to have your faith sorted out to walk through the door.
Honesty over performance
We'd rather hear the true, messy version of how you're doing than a version that sounds okay.
Leadership
Meet the Directors
Abbie Deese
Director, STAND
Certified Life Coach, M.A. — University of South Alabama
James Deese
Director, STAND
In recovery for over 7 years · Ministry Development, IGO
Come see it for yourself
The best way to understand STAND is to sit in a room with us.