'Celebrate Recovery' program starting at St. Luke Church
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 4, 2009 2:00 AM
A new faith-based recovery for people who are seeking help in dealing with drug or alcohol abuse, sexual disorders, compulsive gambling, or any other personal issues, will start this week on Monday nights at St. Luke Methodist Church.
Celebrate Recovery is a non-denominational program aimed at helping both men and women who are trying to rebuild their lives.
James Thompson, who is helping organize the program, said the goal is "to reach out to the least and the lost and the needy."
Thompson said the program was developed about a decade ago at Saddleback Church in southern California. In the program, Thompson said, confidentiality is emphasized.
"One of our goals is to give them a safe environment, where they can feel free to speak," he said.
Prayer requests are kept in a locked box, to be prayed over before being destroyed, he noted, to maintain participants' privacy.
Thompson added that the focus of the program is a positive one and that people who want to share their victory over their demons are invited to do so. Some sessions will focus simply on such testimony, he said.
The program starts at 6 p.m. with a light meal followed by a time of fellowship. A worship service is held at 6:45. Men and women will break into separate, smaller groups for discussion.
For more information, call Thompson at 734-7714.