As the Rev. Seth Michael Botts admits, “a gay, ex-con meth addict” doesn’t fit the typical profile of a United Methodist pastor. But his unlikely personal journey is ultimately what led him to serve.
Botts, sober since April 28, 2018, is a 2025 graduate of Perkins’ Houston-Galveston hybrid M.Div. program. He splits his time between a post at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Chicago and launching Free Recovery Community – Chicago, a new ministry and worshipping community for addicts, loved ones of addicts, and what he calls “spiritual refugees.”
Free’s first “pop up” worship took place on August 16 at Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago. Regular worship will begin September 20. The format is different from a typical service – no music, but storytelling, celebrations, raw prayers and conversations about God and recovery without shame.
In this conversation with Perkins Perspective, Botts shares his journey from prison to his unconventional pulpit, the vision behind Free, and why he believes his story is exactly the kind of story the Church needs.
Perspective: You didn’t grow up in the United Methodist Church. Tell us about your faith story.
Botts: I grew up in an Assemblies of God church. The God I knew then was very rules-based, and one of those rules was that I couldn’t be gay and be a Christian. But the real sticking point for me was what I call “the little boy in Nepal.” I could never wrap my head around a God who would let a little boy, born in another culture, grow up loving his family and community – and then condemn him to hell just because he didn’t say the right prayer to the “right” God. Also, my parents divorced when I was in middle school. Our church had no place for divorced families. My mom had led children’s church and done so much for the church, but they turned her out quickly and easily. That was hard to watch.
I accidentally became a United Methodist later, when a visited a church with a friend who wanted to impress a guy by “bumping into” him at church. That church had a Black woman pastor, and one of the most famous trans nightclub performers in town was a member. It completely upended my understanding of what church could be. At the time, I didn’t know Methodist theology – I just knew it felt different.
Perspective: How did you connect with the 12-step and recovery movement?
Botts: I actually stumbled into recovery. I’d just gotten out of prison – I had served time for trafficking meth – and I was using again. My cousin had just gotten out of rehab, and her mom wouldn’t let us hang out, so I went to a 12-step meeting just to say hi.
I used again that night, but a few days later, I came back – and that’s when I got sober. Recovery reintroduced me to God. At first, I couldn’t even say the word “God” because of all the baggage I carried. But 12-step programs emphasize having an open mind. They helped me unpack my religious hang-ups, and eventually, I found my way back to church.
Perspective: You’ve been sober for more than seven years, but still call yourself an addict. Why?
Botts: Because the second I forget who I am, I’m closer to using again. I can’t drink like other people. I can’t have a cocktail and just wake up the next day for work. Being an addict is part of who I am – it keeps me honest.
Perspective: What led you to the United Methodist Church?
Botts: After that first surprising visit years earlier, I came back to church just before the pandemic. Even in jail, I’d try to go to Bible studies, but it was hard to read the Sermon on the Mount and then hear someone say, “You’re a sinner, repent.”
During the pandemic, I tuned into online services from a pastor I’d known in Dallas. When restrictions eased, I craved that community again. I found a local United Methodist church in St. Louis with contemporary worship, and about that same time, I began wrestling with my call to ministry.
I thought everyone would think I was crazy: a gay, ex-con, recovering drug addict who wanted to become a pastor. But I realized – if there wasn’t space for me in the Church, there wasn’t space for others like me. And the kingdom of God has space for everyone.
Perspective: Tell us about the Free Recovery, a New Faith Community in the northern Illinois Conference. Who does it aim to serve, and what will the programming look like?
Botts: Free is a faith community that translates the gospel for addicts, their loved ones and spiritual refugees – people who’ve been hurt or excluded by church. We meet inside an existing UMC, but we don’t use “churchy” language. There’s no sanctuary – it’s the Main Room. No music – instead, we tell stories.
Our gatherings begin with prayers of celebration. People share things like, “I just got my kids back,” “I have four days sober,” “I got visitation rights.” Then there’s a message that weaves scripture and recovery literature in a practical, relatable way.
After that, we have a contemplative song over the speakers, then a guest storyteller sharing their recovery journey in an interview format. Finally, we close with prayers of concern. These are raw, vulnerable moments. I’ve been there when someone came the day after their child’s suicide, or when someone shared about a relapse. The community rallies around them. It’s heavy, but it’s real.
Perspective: You describe Free as “12-step adjacent.” What’s the difference?
Botts: In Free, we “don’t do shame.” That’s one of our mantras. In 12-step, anonymity is important – it creates space to heal privately. But in Free, we can own our addiction publicly as a testimony to God’s work. We even had a photographer documenting our first gathering. Addiction is part of our story, not something we hide.
Perspective: How did Perkins help lead you here?
Botts: I was connected to a The Gathering, the largest United Methodist Church in Missouri, at the time I came to Perkins. I was thinking I’d just get my credentials to launch another site for that church. In my first semester, I met Amber Jamison, who worked at Mercy Street in Houston – a church for people on the margins. Amber told me about Free Recovery in Denver. That connection changed everything. Without Perkins, I wouldn’t have discovered this model of ministry.
Perspective: You’ve recommended Perkins to a number of potential students. Why?
Botts: Perkins was good to me – and to everyone I know. I got a full-ride scholarship, so I didn’t have to take out loans. The professors genuinely care. They’re academically rigorous, but they see you as a person. I’m still in daily contact with classmates I met there. And I especially appreciate that Perkins is grounded in scripture first. Our progressive stance grows from our respect for the Bible, not the other way around.
Perspective: Given the political environment, this isn’t an easy time for LGBTQ+ people. How do you avoid despair?
Botts: There are days when I ask, “Why are we building anything in this climate?” But both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are manifestos against oppressive empires. They show us transformation is possible – for individuals and for whole communities.
Look at Moses, Paul, Rahab, Esther – all faced impossible odds, and God worked through them. At Free, we expect transformation.
We can create alternative narratives for people denied God’s grace. We can be the place where someone who’s been shamed, abused or rejected can finally heal. That keeps me hopeful.
Perspective: Any last words for those discerning a call?
Botts: Seminary is part of the discernment process – your call will probably evolve. I never thought I’d be in Chicago starting a church for people who can’t pay for it. But here I am.
