Courtesy photo
Praise and worship is a big part of the Celebrate Recovery program. Pictured is one such service over the past year. The program offers confidential sessions with the individuals that attend where they can share privately their concerns and issues in the two-hour meeting.
Billy Todd/Sampson Independent
Celebrate Recovery meets weekly at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 408 College St. They will celebrate their first year anniversary on Friday, Jan. 13.
One of the area’s ministries is approaching its first year anniversary. On Friday, Jan. 13, Celebrate Recovery will not only be celebrating the ministry of recovery from addiction but will honor it’ success in completing its first year of service to the citizens of Sampson and surrounding counties.
According to director Jen Campbell, Celebrate Recovery is an umbrella ministry encompassing all of life’s hurts, hang-ups and habits. Some examples of struggles could include: emotional traumas, job loss, grief, depression, fear, anger, enabling, pornography, adultery, worry, debt, food issues, life’s problems, homosexuality, cutting, cigarette usage, control issues, relationship struggles, excessive TV/computer usage, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, isolating, sabotaging tendencies, people pleasing, boundary issues, the addicted and their families, bitterness, resentful, holding grudges, unforgiveness, etc.
“We will celebrate our one year anniversary on Friday Jan. 13, beginning at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 408 College St. Clinton,”shared Campbell. “We have planned a program of vibrant, exciting music, with pastor Andy Shaffer of The Journey sharing a brief message on recovery. We’ll have mini-testimonies followed by small groups, coffee and desserts,” added the director.
If you attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting, what can you expect? Campbell explained that during the two hour meeting you will experience a time full of hope and healing.
“The first hour is praise and worship, alternating a teaching one week and a testimony the next week. The second hour is our small group time, where the men and women meet separately and chat about life, their struggles, and victories with one another,” stated Campbell.
“We offer a anonymous, confidential small group environment, with guideline,s to ensure that the group is safe. After the small group meeting ends, we have a time of fellowship with free refreshments,” added the program director.
The ministry is open to anyone that is experiencing the demons of dependency. All age groups and both men and women are welcome to attend. “We are all here trying to travel life’s journey together as we face our struggles of dealing with issues that affect so many of us,” asserted Campbell.
The ministry can be a life-changing event if those who attend will let it. Celebrate Recovery is a commitment to help oneself to be the best person you can be.
“We all can benefit from this life-changing ministry, offering encouragement, love, support and hope in a grace filled, safe environment. It’s for men and women, those churched and un-churched. It’s not only a place of grace, but also a place for a greater dependency on God. You have nothing to lose and only a new life to gain, from attending. There’s no better place to be on a Friday night. I challenge you. Go ahead and take that first step….come and see why it’s truly a Celebration here on Friday Nights,” concluded Campbell.
If you’d like to hear more about how CR is changing lives in Sampson County, please contact Jen Campbell @ 910-379-4033 or email: nccelebraterecovery@gmail.com Or Website: www.celebraterecovery.com.
Celebrate Recovery’s
Eight Recovery Principles
The Road to Recovery
Based on the Beatitudes
Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. (Step 1)
“Happy are those who know that they are spiritually poor.”
Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him and that He has the power to help me recover. (Step 2
“Happy are those how mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. (Step 3)
“Happy are the meek.”
Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. (Steps 4 and 5)
“Happy are the pure in heart.”
Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. (Steps 6 and 7)
“Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires”
Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others when possible, except when to do so would harm them or others. (Steps 8 and 9)
“Happy are the merciful.”
“Happy are the peacemakers”
Reserve a time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. (Steps 10 and 11)
Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and my words. (Step 12)
“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.”
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