Pam, myself and nine other people from Believers Church Celebrate Recovery were fortunate enough to be able to go to the annual CR Summit in California this year. It was CR’s 25th anniversary. Saying it was awesome just does not do it justice. What a wonderful time of celebration, of inspiration, of training, of motivation and encouragement. After 25 years of CR there are now approximately 29,000 official Celebrate Recovery Groups across the country and around the world. This ministry works!
The place was packed out, 3300 people together for three days celebrating what God has done in their lives. And not just celebrating but learning how to carry the message that there is a God, He does care about you and He has the power to help you recover, set you free and transform your life.
Most people come to CR initially to get help for themselves or someone they love. But as they begin to get free from their hurts, habits and hang ups they realize it’s far bigger than just their own healing. There is a devotion in the Life Recovery bible that says it well and it is one of my favorites, entitled “Our Mission” it reads; “A life set free from all addictions by the Lord is a beautiful sight to behold. When we practice these principles and share our experiences, people will see the glory of God in our life and gain hope. We know from experience the depths of suffering, affliction, and brokenness. We know the pain of being enslaved to our passions and blinded by our denial. We have endured our seasons of grieving. We can relate to those who struggle to be free. We also know that there is more to life than bondage. In Christ are healing and freedom, clarity and mercy, beauty and joy. When Jesus came to earth he had a mission, which was expressed in these words: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come…. To all who mourn… he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair” (Isaiah 61:1-3).
This mission has been passed on to us. Some people talk about “preaching the gospel” but may alienate those who need the Good News the most. We are in a unique position to share our experiences, our strengths, and our hope in a way that broken people can understand and receive it.”
Thank you for traveling with us on this wonderful mission!
Free in Christ,
Jim & Pam