Celebrate Recovery

A couple of weeks ago at the Saturday evening and Sunday 10:30 service, Cheryl and Rudy Hubner from First Church of the Nazarene came and shared a little about Celebrate Recovery, a new ministry that will be launching here in a few months at St. Paul’s. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a Christ-centered recovery program that has helped tens of thousands of individuals through their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. One of the most important takeaways I hope people came away with is that CR is not just for people who struggle with alcohol or drugs. Individuals who struggle with lusting, over-eating, gambling, coping with the death of a loved one, or codependency can find healing and a closer relationship with God through CR.

As you may have guessed, a ministry such as this will require a lot of helping hands. Available areas to serve in include worship team, prayer team, snack and beverage team, childcare, and small group leaders. Small group leaders would commit to two nights per week. One night would include the big CR meeting night, which would involve an hour of praise, worship, and a testimony and/or lesson. Another hour would follow where people would break into gender-specific groups to discuss their hurts, habits, and hang-ups, fulfilling Galatians 6:2, which tells us to “carry each other’s burdens.” On another night of the week, leaders will lead a “step-study” group, where they will participate in and lead a study of the 12 steps in CR. The 12 steps are adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to reflect Christ alone as our higher power. Celebrate Recovery does not ask you to put your faith in some “higher power,” but in Jesus Christ, the one true Lord.

I have been to a few meetings of Celebrate Recovery and have been blown away each and every time. The people are warm, friendly, and compassionate. The worship is truly something that needs to be experienced to appreciate. The Holy Spirit’s presence at CR worship is strong indeed. I have spoken with many individuals at these meetings and each one has a story of how they came to CR and how it has radically changed their lives and deepened their relationship with God. I would ask everyone reading this to prayerfully consider becoming involved in CR. Whether that means providing snacks, praying, becoming a group leader, or even attending if you feel God is calling you to deal with some issues in your life, everyone is able to be involved in some way. I would be more than happy to answer any questions or provide any more information about this great ministry.

In His Service,

Jarvis Howe

NOTE:
To contact Jarvis Howe, SPL Director of Counseling and Family Ministry, and learn more about Celebrate Recovery, or to schedule an appointment, call 217-423-6955 or email Jarvis at jarvis@spldecatur.org today.