Greencastle CC set to launch Celebrate Recovery program Jan. 30

Greencastle Christian Church is launching Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-based recovery ministry that is free and open to everyone in Greencastle and surrounding areas.

Celebrate Recovery offers weekly support for anyone with emotional struggles, relational issues, addictions or any thoughts and behaviors that interfere with a joyful life.

Started more than 25 years ago by Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., Celebrate Recovery is in more than 29,000 churches worldwide.

The ministry will meet every Tuesday, holiday or not, beginning on Jan. 30.

Each Celebrate Recovery session will start with a light fellowship meal at 6 p.m. followed at 6:30 with biblically-based teachings and testimonies as well as music. At 7:30 p.m., small sharing groups are offered addressing individual issues.

These small groups are divided into men’s and women’s groups and are a safe place to give and receive positive support for individual needs.

Childcare is provided in the Celebration Place, where there are small lessons paralleling the large group meetings in age appropriate ways.

Celebrate Recovery is based on eight Christian principles taken from the Beatitudes and applied to the 12 Steps of Recovery.

It is structured to be broader in the scope of issues it addresses than other programs by focusing on all hurts, habits and hang-ups. These include alcohol and drug addiction and areas such as anger, co-dependency, sexual integrity, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm and perfectionism.

The GCC ministerial staff has recognized the need for this type of program both within the church family and as a ministry to the community for some time and received approval to proceed with it earlier this year.

A core group of leaders representing GCC and other churches has been training for several months and is committed to offering a safe, confidential and positive place to participate with other people looking for healing.

More information can be attained by calling the GCC office at 653-5816 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Greencastle Christian Church is located at 620 Primrose Lane.