Couple Redeems Addicts
By Bill Jones

"It is an established fact that Jesus Christ was born and that he died, but the greatest of all is that he arose again," the Rev. Marion Spellman said.

She sees Easter as a celebration of God's redemption of man.

For more than 18 years, she and her husband, the Rev. Harold Spellman, have been doing God's work in the redemption of addicts.

They operate Peniel, an impressive center that moved into the old Jonel Construction building in Tanneryville about five years ago. Before that, they did similar work in Somerset and the Harrisburg area.

During their 18 years of labor, they have worked with more than 5,000 students.

Their success rate has been between 75 and 80 percent.

What makes the numbers more remarkable is that the Spellmans expect more of their students than merely giving up drugs.

"I attribute it to the God factor," Marion Spellman said.

"It's a spiritual thing. It's not so much a focus on drugs but on a complete change, a real new life. We believe any Christ-oriented program has the ability to change the whole man or whole woman.

"We teach them to be involved in the community in a positive way," she said.

"We've had failures, and those are the hardest ones. Some are often off drugs but haven't plugged in to the best person they can be."

The name Peniel comes from tech story of the redemption of Jacob when he wrestled all night with an angel, as told in the 32nd chapter of Genesis.

Jacob had an experience with God and his name was changed, and so was his life.

"That what redemption is all about," Marion Spellman said.

"That's what happens here. The men and women who come here have to die, that is their old nature has to die and a new nature emerges. We teach them that once you've been changed, you should influence the world - not always by what you say, but what you are and how you live."

The Spellmans said they were looking for a focus for their ministry and God gave it to them - the hard way.

Marion Spellman's brother became an addict while serving in Vietnam, and died of an overdose.

They started on a small scale, doing as much as they could. Marion Spellman's father got them going by giving them his pension and all his money to put into their work. He underwrote their program for years.

Marion Spellman said: "I said to him, as long as I live, you will live through me. As long as I can touch a life, I can touch a life, I can say that you did not live and die in vain."

Their program isn't easy.

Students stay on the premises for a full year and can leave the grounds only when accompanied by a staff member. But they come because they want help, and they get it.

"We believe it takes long experience to change and inappropriate lifestyle," Marion Spellman said. "You can't change a life in 30 days."