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WHAT WE BELIEVE

Our Values:  We believe in Salvation by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone and healing through the Holy Spirit. We believe the Bible is the Living Word of God which teaches the following Eight Basic Truths:

  1. The Bible is accurate in all that it teaches;
  2. God is the only all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.
  3. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth;
  4. Satan exists;
  5. Eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works;
  6. Faith is very important in our lives today;
  7. We have a personal responsibility to share our religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians;
  8. One identity in Christ is the foundation of one’s serenity.

Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS)  believes that those who embrace these Eight Basic Truths tend to make good, God-honoring decisions in their lives.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

1. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error and the infallible rule of faith and practice, as well as the solution to all problems affecting mankind. The Word of God is the foundation upon which the universal church, and by extension this ministry, operates and is the basis for which both are governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.

2. We believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all things.

a. We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, personal Spirit, all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. .

b. We believe in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.

c. We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. We believe the Holy Spirit infills believers, evidenced by a greater dynamic in the Christian’s life enabling that person to be a bold and more effective witness. The supreme evidence of the Spirit filled life is the fruit of the Spirit, love. We believe in the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit in regard to the exercise of biblical gifts in order to best witness and operate in love.

3. We believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice, falling short of God’s standard and breaking His commandments – and therefore are under God’s righteous judgment. Yet God saves and gives new life to all who come to Him in repentance and faith only (and not by works), trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. At the cross, Jesus Christ died in our place as our substitute, absorbing God’s wrath that should have come upon us. Because Jesus died for the sins of the world the invitation to believe is open to all, and whoever desires may come unto Jesus for new life and the forgiveness of sins. Because of this, we believe that each one’s faith should have daily significance, and sharing our faith with others is a personal responsibility of all believers.

4. We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are a part of the Body of Christ.

5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: (a) full immersion water baptism of believers and (b) the Lord’s Supper.

6. We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell, and a New Heaven and New Earth. All those who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ will enter Heaven and spend eternity on the New Earth with the Lord, while those who reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord. We believe that Hell was originally created for Satan and his fallen angels, that they do exist, and that they actively work against the will of God.

7. We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which is His personal, visible return to earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless separation of the wicked.

8. We believe that God created man in His image, and that He created them male and female. As such He created them different so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, we respect all individuals as image bearers of God, but we only recognize biblically defined marriages.

ANCHORED IN LOVE NOT JUDGMENT

Our RESTORE program is where your journey to RESTORATION begins! As soon as you walk through the doors of our welcoming homes, you’ll meet our amazing staff that is dedicated to serving you.  Your Restoration and recovery are our priorities so immediately you will meet staff and other students who are experiencing and practicing living out a culture of love not judgment.  We believe that you will quickly adjust to your new surrounding, people, and a pretty incredible program filled with love not judgment–one built on responsibility not excuses.

YOUR IDENTITY MATTERS

At CARS we believe that your identity in Jesus is the foundation of a lifetime of serenity.  Today you begin your journey of discovering who you are in God’s eyes with spiritual advising, support, and mentoring from a full time staff specializing and certified in restoration and recovery ministry. You will also have the opportunity to sit with trained addiction counselors who are volunteers from local churches along with local pastors who will provide you with deep spiritual counseling to guide you towards a life free from your addiction. We believe that after one experiences physical healing from the chemicals one once was dependent upon, embracing who you are in the eyes of God and gaining new perspective and convictions based on God’s truth will set the stage for a lifetime of victory.  This is the journey you are about to embark upon. It will not be easy, but it will be SO worth the effort.

OUR FOUNDATION FOR VICTORY

Fulfilling your physical needs coupled with a clear mind are only the first steps to restoration and recovery.  The next step is to focus on something you can’t see–your heart. A heart change is the foundation of any lasting change.  A heart change will lead to a change in your actions based on new convictions and desires and the ability to recognize your “triggers” of risky behavior. To excel in this area, Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS)  has a structured, biblically based curriculum designed to help you grow in truth and insight, We believe that you are the change agent when it comes to your restoration and recovery. Overcoming dependence on drugs, alcohol and other life-controlling behaviors begins with a lasting change of heart.

Executive Director

Shelley Burnham

Shelley Burnham serves as the Executive Director of Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS). A foundational part of the ministry, Shelley served on the CARS Founding Board of Directors from 2018 to 2023 before stepping into her current role. As the organization’s sole employee in a rapidly growing rural nonprofit, she manages daily executive logistics, grassroots communication, and direct community engagement to expand the regional RESTORE support networks and upcoming residential program.

Shelley brings over 30 years of experience in media communications, local news, and office administration across the legal, accounting, and youth-advocacy sectors. She draws heavily on her background as a local radio personality and marketing specialist to build community awareness for CARS. Deeply rooted in local service, Shelley also spent years directing the Culpeper County Homeschool Chapter of Classical Conversations and coordinating regional outreach projects for Operation Christmas Child. Her lifelong commitment to substance use and suicide prevention includes prior service with the Volunteer Emergency Families for Children crisis network and the Living the Dream Foundation.

With studies in Communications and Business Administration, alongside 15 years of structured youth and women’s ministries, Shelley approaches the daily operations of CARS with deep spiritual intentionality. She considers it a true privilege to use her administrative and marketing background to bring neighbors together, support individuals in recovery, and give all glory to Jesus Christ as lives are restored.

Meet Our Board

Mark Jenkins

 Chairman, CARS | Lead Pastor, Mountain View Community Church 
Mark Jenkins has served as Chairman of Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS) since 2018 and has spent more than 30 years ministering to individuals and families impacted by addiction. As Lead Pastor of Mountain View Community Church in Culpeper, he is passionate about helping people find hope, healing, and lasting freedom through Christ. 

Mark’s experience includes decades of hands-on ministry in underserved communities, leadership in recovery programs, and specialized training in Celebrate Recovery, Keys to Freedom, 12-Step recovery, and other Christ-centered restoration ministries. He has also served in crisis care, family mentoring, and leadership development both locally and internationally. 

With a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a lifelong commitment to restoration, Mark brings compassionate leadership and practical experience to CARS’ mission of helping individuals and families break free from the bondage of addiction and build lives of purpose and hope. 

Shirley Cox

Shirley Cox serves as Co-Chairman of the CARS Board of Directors and brings more than 40 years of experience in administration, nonprofit leadership, and community service. She has dedicated her life to serving vulnerable individuals and families through organizations such as CASA, SAFE Homes, Big Sisters, CERT, and numerous church outreach ministries.

As a staff member with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Shirley represented abused and neglected children in court, trained new volunteer advocates, and worked closely with families affected by substance use, mental health challenges, domestic violence, and trauma. She has also completed counseling and caregiving courses through Liberty University, along with specialized training in Adult Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Intervention.

Shirley’s commitment to recovery is deeply personal. Having witnessed the devastating impact of addiction within her own family—including the loss of her biological father to addiction—she understands the heartbreak, fear, and uncertainty experienced by families who love someone struggling with substance use disorder. That personal perspective, combined with decades of professional and volunteer service, fuels her passion for helping CARS provide hope, healing, and lasting recovery for individuals and the families who love them.

Joyce W. Heflin, CPA

Joyce W. Heflin, CPA serves as the Treasurer on the C.A.R.S. Board of Directors, bringing over four decades of expert financial stewardship to the organization. A certified public accountant since 1985, Joyce holds a Bachelor of Science from Radford University and has spent her career guiding individuals and businesses through complex public accounting and financial planning.

Joyce has deep roots in the community, residing in The Plains, Virginia, where she has also served as a Town Council Member since 2004. Over the years, she has frequently lent her professional financial management, budgeting, and leadership skills to local organizations, serving as a trusted trustee and treasurer for numerous civic boards and regional family service non-profits.

Joyce initially joined C.A.R.S. to offer her professional financial expertise where it was needed most and to connect with fellow community members. Through her board service, she has gained a profound understanding of the challenges surrounding addiction. Committed to deepening her impact, she earned a certificate in Spiritual First Aid, attends regional RESTORE meetings, and regularly volunteers at fundraisers. Joyce considers it a privilege to use her strong financial background to support individuals on their journey to freedom.

Lisa Haynes

Lisa Haynes serves on the Board of Directors for Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS), pairing deep clinical training with a servant’s heart to help expand the ministry’s local recovery options. As a highly dedicated mental health professional practicing in Virginia, Lisa brings vital administrative structure and direct clinical insight to the organization’s overarching vision.

Lisa’s foundational commitment to community-wide mental health is backed by an exceptional academic track record. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology before going on to complete her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Her extensive educational background equipped her with specialized diagnostic and therapeutic expertise, establishing her as a Resident in Counseling with the Virginia Board of Counseling. Professionally, Lisa has put her training into practice as an Outpatient Therapist where she serves as a Qualified Mental Health Professional for both adults and children, focusing on anxiety, depression, and building self-esteem.

Beyond her office walls, Lisa lives out her faith through extensive hands-on philanthropy across Culpeper County. Her volunteer efforts include aiding the vulnerable at the local winter heating shelter, organizing community resources with United Way, and regularly facilitating regional, spiritual 12-step recovery group meetings. Because she has firsthand experience helping individuals overcome obstacles, Lisa is incredibly passionate about her role on the CARS board—especially as the organization moves closer to opening its long-term stay Recovery Residence. Lisa relies on her clinical training and faith-driven compassion to ensure CARS remains a beacon of light, healing, and absolute transformation in Jesus Christ.

Melissa Mutispaugh

Melissa Mutispaugh brings both professional leadership and lived experience to the CARS Board. After struggling with opioid addiction from 2003 until February 1, 2017, and serving five
years of incarceration, she committed her life to healing, education, and service. During that time, she renewed her faith in Jesus Christ and pursued a Paralegal degree with advanced diplomas in Family Law and Bankruptcy Law, completed certifications in Psychology and Social Work, and continued coursework toward an Associate degree in Theology.

Today, Melissa is a respected healthcare leader, community advocate, wife, and mother whose life reflects the transformative power of faith, perseverance, and second chances. Within six
months of her release, she regained full custody of her daughter, secured full-time employment in the dental field within 90 days, and later married one of her childhood friends, whose unwavering support has been an important part of her continued journey.

Melissa has remained in recovery since February 1, 2017. She serves as Practice Manager at Culpeper Dental Group, a practice that has served the Culpeper community for more than 26 years and provides care to a large Medicaid patient population. She is also a Certified
Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), regularly speaks at recovery meetings, volunteers at CARS events, and donated the personal library she built during incarceration to the CARS
Recovery Home.

Melissa joined the CARS Board because she knows what it feels like to believe addiction defines your future. Having once believed addiction would define the rest of her life, she now dedicates herself to helping others discover that it does not have to define theirs

Skilled Volunteers

Ginger Callahan

Ginger Callahan serves as an Administrative Assistant at Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS), where she manages the donor database and provides vital organizational support. Having spent much of her adult life working in administration, Ginger brings structural excellence, a deep spirit of service, and profound personal empathy to the CARS team.

Ginger’s dedication to restoration ministry is rooted in her own powerful testimony of healing. Following a season of overwhelming personal tragedy and grief, Ginger found radical transformation and forgiveness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Having received God’s abundant grace in her own life, she is deeply passionate about helping others discover the same hope, healing, and true restoration through the Savior.

At CARS, Ginger cheerfully steps in wherever she is needed to support fundraisers, events, and daily operations. Ginger is deeply thankful for every opportunity to serve her community, giving all glory to God as she helps others experience His life-changing grace.

Jonathan Clark

Jonathan Clark is a cybersecurity and cloud strategist with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations leverage technology to achieve their business objectives securely and effectively. As Vice President of Security at ITS Group, he partners with executive leaders across public and private sector organizations to align cybersecurity, cloud, and technology strategies with organizational goals. Throughout his career, Jonathan has specialized in Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, identity and access management, cloud architecture, enterprise security strategy, and risk management, and has led large-scale security and cloud transformation initiatives for organizations ranging from commercial businesses to complex government environments. He holds an Associate Degree in Information Systems and Network Engineering from Northern Virginia Community College and a Bachelor of Ministry Management with a concentration in Biblical Counseling from Cornerstone College and Seminary, bringing a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership, and a servant-minded perspective to every engagement.

Jonathan believes leadership is an opportunity to serve others and reflect the character of Christ in both word and action. His goal is to reflect Christ’s key characteristics of holiness, love, and goodness in every area of life. Christ’s holiness guides his commitment to integrity and moral leadership, Christ’s love inspires him to invest in and serve others, and Christ’s goodness motivates him to pursue excellence with humility. These principles shape his approach to leadership, which emphasizes mentoring and developing others, fostering meaningful relationships, and creating environments where individuals can grow and thrive. Jonathan is passionate about helping people reach their full potential and believes that lasting success is measured not only by organizational achievements, but by the positive impact leaders have on the lives of those they serve. Through every opportunity to lead, he seeks to encourage personal and professional growth, build relationships rooted in trust, and demonstrate Christ-centered servant leadership in a way that honors God and reflects Christ’s character to others.

Lisa Minavio

Lisa Minavio serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Christ-Centered Addiction Restoration Services (CARS). A dedicated resident of Culpeper, Virginia, Lisa brings decades of organizational leadership, public service, and interpersonal excellence to her role. Before committing her time to community ministry, she enjoyed a long and meaningful career in primary education, serving for many years as a beloved 1st-grade teacher at A.G. Richardson Elementary School and advocating for local educators on theCulpeper Education Association (CCEA) leadership board.

Lisa’s journey with CARS began several years ago when she first raised her hand to volunteer at the annual CARS Car Show. Her love for the ministry quickly grew, leading her to coordinate and assist with other hallmark community events, including the Carts 4 Cars Golf Tournament and the CARS Electronic Recycling Events. Having retired from teaching, Lisa found herself with the time and a strong calling to deepen her involvement, stepping into the role of Volunteer Coordinator to manage, organize, and inspire the ministry’s growing volunteer base.

Lisa firmly believes that God led her to this position, revealing a new and fulfilling purpose for this chapter of her life. She is deeply passionate about working alongside fellow volunteers who share a unified vision: to bring hope and lasting restoration to individuals and families whose lives have been fractured by addiction. For Lisa, watching Jesus Christ actively work in the community to help people overcome obstacles is incredibly rewarding, and she considers it a true privilege to facilitate that journey for others.

Darlin Cox

Please join us in welcoming Darlin Cox as our new Director of People & Culture! Darlin brings nearly two decades of experience building healthy organizational cultures, developing leaders, and strengthening organizations through strategic People & Culture leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Colorado Technical University and maintains both SHRM-CP and PHR professional certifications. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about helping organizations build strong cultures, equip leaders, and create systems where people can thrive. Darlin believes that organizations are healthiest when they first seek to honor Christ, love people well, and faithfully steward every opportunity God provides. More importantly, she believes her greatest calling is to glorify God by serving others with integrity, humility, and compassion. Her heart is to see lives transformed through the hope of Jesus Christ and to help build ministries where volunteers, leaders, and those seeking restoration experience God’s love in practical ways. Darlin is excited to serve alongside the HeRestores family as we point people toward the freedom, healing, and restoration found only in Christ.

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