About Us
Our Mission
The Bresee Center’s purpose is to provide a safe living environment that is free from alcohol and drug use. The recovery of residents is supported by in-house peer support and linkages to other recovery services that are provided onsite, within the community, and sometimes through virtual resources.
A community that believes : "But by the grace of GOD go I" Addiction affects people of every educational level. It is often misunderstood as a " disease of choice" and treared only as the primary problem, instead of addressing the deeper, more complex issues.
Our History
We live in a world that is full of sorrow and brokenness. Many of the people whom GOD created in His glorious image, whom He intended that they should know His love and redemption, only know darkness instead. Since the first couple sinned in the Garden of Eden, it has been this way. It was certainly no different in Los Angeles, CA when Dr. Phineas Bresee, the pastor at Los Angeles First Methodist Church experienced a deep grieving in his soul for the marginalized of his community. Ultimately, it led him to leave the pulpit of that prestigious church and begin a mission on “Skid Row” where he, and Dr. J. P. Widney, a physician and the retired president of the University of Southern California, would begin reaching into the lives of these who were broken by the effects of their sin. The church he founded with Dr. Widney’s help would engage people in their pain and establish homes for unwed mothers, orphanages, and be vocal advocates for the victims of alcoholism, drug use, and prostitution. Racial and social outcasts were the objectives of their endeavors. It was out of a desire to show mercy to the outcasts that GOD used to birth the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Bresee once said; “Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings, but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and wipe away the tears of sorrowing, and gather jewels for His diadem.”
Because we believe that vision continues to encapsulate the Great Commission on a local level, and because we intend to engage those who struggle with addiction from a position of mercy, we have chosen to name this ministry after this man’s great example. The Bresee Center for Addiction Recovery and Life Skills Training will engage the hurting masses and share with them the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ, while equipping them to take on the common place challenges of life. Recognizing that we cannot do this alone, or in a vacuum, this ministry is
supported by like-minded individuals in our community from every denominational background and we invite you to join us as well.
Our Board
Rev. Richard S Evans Board Chair
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp, Treasurer
Rev. Richard S Evans Board Chair
Richard serves as the Pastor of Sidney First Church of the Nazarene in Sidney, MT. His vision for the Bresee Center is to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Phineas Bresee in “loving the least of these” which includes those who are marginalized and disenfranchised among us, in the name of Jesus Christ. That includes establishing a center wh
Richard serves as the Pastor of Sidney First Church of the Nazarene in Sidney, MT. His vision for the Bresee Center is to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Phineas Bresee in “loving the least of these” which includes those who are marginalized and disenfranchised among us, in the name of Jesus Christ. That includes establishing a center where housing and food insecurities can be handled in a Christ centered and loving environment engineered to encourage and inspire sobriety. This vision includes healing the brokenness of sin and empowering people to break the chains of poverty by training them to engage life in “real time” with work and life skills training.
Pastor Richard also works at Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT as the Director of Spiritual Services as well as on the board of the Sunrise Family Resource Clinic in Sidney, MT.
Rev. Barb Haugerud, Vice Chair
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp, Treasurer
Rev. Richard S Evans Board Chair
Pastor Barb Haugerud currently serves as Senior Pastor at Pella Lutheran Church. She grew up in the Denver area, went to college and seminary in Minnesota, and served as Pastor in various congregations in western North Dakota. She and her husband came to Sidney in 2022. She enjoys playing the piano, walking, reading, and exploring the fi
Pastor Barb Haugerud currently serves as Senior Pastor at Pella Lutheran Church. She grew up in the Denver area, went to college and seminary in Minnesota, and served as Pastor in various congregations in western North Dakota. She and her husband came to Sidney in 2022. She enjoys playing the piano, walking, reading, and exploring the field of biblical archaeology.
Rev. Barb Haugerud currently serves the Bresee Center for Addiction Recovery and Life Skills training as our Vice Chair.
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp, Treasurer
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp, Treasurer
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp, Treasurer
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp is bivocational serving as Pastor at four rural churches as well as continuing his life-long career in education. As a mental health advocate and instructor, he teaches a wide variety of mental health support and awareness classes while serving in roles supporting the mental health of students, teachers, vetera
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp is bivocational serving as Pastor at four rural churches as well as continuing his life-long career in education. As a mental health advocate and instructor, he teaches a wide variety of mental health support and awareness classes while serving in roles supporting the mental health of students, teachers, veterans, first responders, and others. Pastor Tim serves as the Treasurer of the Bresee Center.
Big Mike Ownby
Big Mike Ownby
Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Tharp, Treasurer
Micheal Ownby is dedicated to serving the body of Christ in Richland County, MT, alongside his beloved wife Susan, of 28 years. Together, they cherish their family of four children and three grandchildren. In 2003, Micheal, affectionately known as Big Mike, experienced a transformative encounter with God's grace, which rescued him from a
Micheal Ownby is dedicated to serving the body of Christ in Richland County, MT, alongside his beloved wife Susan, of 28 years. Together, they cherish their family of four children and three grandchildren. In 2003, Micheal, affectionately known as Big Mike, experienced a transformative encounter with God's grace, which rescued him from a life marked by addiction and crime.
His spiritual journey, shaped by what he fondly calls the "1st Evangelical School of Hard Knocks," ignited a passion for reaching out to "the least of these." Micheal holds a deep conviction that the best place to make disciples is within the warmth of one's home, sharing meals, and extending hospitality through extended stays.
His mission is to support individuals on their path to recovery, and he envisions the Bresee Center as a welcoming home where struggling addicts can find the resources and support they need to break free and transform their lives. Micheal's compassionate heart and dedication shine through in his work, as he strives to create a nurturing environment for healing and growth.
Brock Pewonka
Big Mike Ownby
Brock Pewonka
Bio