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Celebrate Recovery: Overcoming Hurts, Habits, and Hang-Ups
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by Jean Eisenmann
Who could you turn to if suddenly you lost control of your life? Where could you go for help if you felt consumed by an addiction, toxic relationship, or if the everyday hardships of life were too much to bear? First Baptist Church in Justin could not only turn your life around — they will celebrate your recovery. Place groups children ages 5 to
Celebrate Recovery is a nondenominational, Christ-centered ministry dedicated to helping all people – men, women, teenagers and children – work through their “hurts, habits, and hangups.” It began as an initiative in 1991 at Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, and the program has grown to over 35,000 participating churches throughout the United States, including several in North Texas. As a result, 5 million people have been through the program and have gone on to serve (leadership) rolls in a church.
Josh Matthews is First Baptist Church of Justin’s lay minister for Celebrate proud to provide help in their
Recovery. In fact, December 6th marked his and wife Patty’s sixth year ministering to the program. “For three years we were part of the church team,” Josh explained. “Then we stepped into the ministry role.”
Theirs is a biblical and balanced 12-step program helping anyone needing to overcome life issues such as destructive and compulsive behaviors, addictions (alcohol and drugs), eating disorders, depression, relationship problems, and anything that causes you mental and physical pain. Paralleling the steps are eight principles based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). Celebrate Recovery is about talking and worshipping with people who care about you, your present and your future.
Josh explained their different programs. “The program for adults is called Celebrate Recovery, and within it is a TEAM: training coach, enourager coach, assimilation coach, and ministry leader.” He continues, “The Landing is for teens 13 to 17 years old, and Celebration 12. Child care is always available.”
“During the earlier months of COVID-19, numbers of attendees ran at a steady 50 every week. Normally, we have about 20-plus,” Josh said. Both Josh and Patty are anger and abuse (including self-abuse),
own backyard…literally. They’ve been known to open up their house and yard to group meetings when social distancing outside felt more comfortable.
Meetings are held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. “A meal is served starting at 6:15,” Josh said, “And attendees are never charged. All the food is generously donated by volunteers.” The two-hour meetings themselves are made up of “Large Group” (encompassing everyone) singing songs of worship, discussing the eight Recovery Principles, dividing into smaller gender-based groups for sharing, and an invitation to come forward and pray. Monthly meetings include lessons, testimonials, and recognition given for different levels of recovery.
First Baptist Justin also serves the community by participating in fundraisers such as a fish fry for the fire department and Angel Tree at Christmas. Sometimes, they even team with other churches for activities like a car show, barbecue dinner, or jazz festival.
Celebrate Recovery is a safe haven where you can find freedom from anything that is making your life unmanageable. No judging. Just healing.
