“You’re Not Alone”: Freeway Marshfield Reaching Community Through Outreach

For Robby Blackwell, life today looks a whole lot different than it did a few years ago.

The director of Freeway Ministries Marshfield, openly talks about addiction, prison time, brokenness, and the years he spent trying to outrun problems he says kept following him everywhere.

Blackwell grew up in Ozark and attended what is now Evangel University on a baseball scholarship. He later worked as a mortgage broker, but behind the scenes, he says addiction slowly took over his life.

For more than 20 years, he battled alcohol and substance abuse problems. He went through rehab programs, spent time in prison, and struggled to find lasting peace even during periods of sobriety.

Things hit a breaking point in 2023 while he sat in a jail cell, dealing with health fears and what he described as overwhelming guilt and shame.

That’s when he connected with Freeway Ministries.

Blackwell entered the organization’s year-long recovery and discipleship program, and he says it completely changed his life. Today, he’s been sober for more than three years and now helps lead the Marshfield ministry alongside his wife.

The mission behind Freeway Marshfield is simple. Reach people who are struggling and remind them they are not forgotten.

Blackwell said addiction affects nearly every family in some way, whether people openly talk about it or not. The ministry works closely with Crossbridge Baptist Church and focuses heavily on community outreach, mentoring, meals, transportation help, and weekly services.

Freeway Marshfield holds services every Saturday night with meals, childcare, and transportation available for anyone needing a ride.

Blackwell says the organization wants people to know there’s always a place for them, no matter their past.

“We care about the community,” he said. “We just want people to know they’re not alone.”