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Celebrate Recovery
by Jan Fallon, BA
I first heard about Celebrate Recovery from our marriage mentors who dedicated hours of volunteer time to this ministry to give hope to the hurting. So when Angela Stalder from Bear Valley Church told me about her involvement, I listened with both ears. Hers is a story that captures the heart. Alcohol abuse is often a family problem, and it was for Angela's. Her father, her brother, and her first husband all suffered from its devastating effect, and took the family with them. Then, when her mother was murdered, Angela followed a path of destruction that lead her too close to repeating the cycle of pain and addiction she experienced as a child. The reality that she could pass the cycle on to her second husband and their children stopped her in her tracks. Thankfully, a friend told her about Celebrate Recovery. Thankfully, Angela listened and had the courage to attend. She walked into a Celebrate Recovery group in her community and found help, she found kinship - and she found the love of her Savior, Jesus Christ. "By truly working the 12-Steps I have learned how to overcome my past hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Celebrate Recovery has shown me how to release the control I thought I had, to God. By releasing control to Him, I am learning how to trust and demonstrate love. My relationship with my husband, and with my son and daughter have blossomed and surpassed my wildest dreams." Celebrate Recovery is not only for those with substance abuse issues. John Baker, a pastor at Saddleback Church and Celebrate Recovery founder describes it as a place for anyone with hurts, hang-ups, and habits. "Regardless of what you are struggling with - whether it is emotional, financial, relational, spiritual or sexual - the principles that lead to happiness and healing are always the same, and the choice is always yours." If you are interested in knowing more about Celebrate Recovery, Angela has the heart to help you find a place for healing. "I once thought I was strong and didn't need anybody, that walking with Christ was only for the weak. Then I found Celebrate Recovery." Angela continues, "If you have suffered any loss that you find hard to overcome, if you have suffered any type of abuse, if you use alcohol or any type of drug in a dysfunctional way and want to enjoy life with Jesus Christ as your Savior, I recommend Celebrate Recovery." There are several weekly meetings to choose from. They start with a big group meeting that includes worship, followed by a testimony or lesson, then women and men separate for small group open share. The groups come back together for fellowship before ending by 9:30pm. 12-Step programs based on Celebrate Recovery are also available, as are one-on-one sessions with a designated sponsor. All programs are completely confidential. You can view Celebrate Recovery meetings online at www.celebraterecovery.com |