Celebrate Recovery marks one-year achievements

The local chapter of Celebrate Recovery, a Christian, Bible-based 12 step recovery group, started just over one year ago.
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at First Assembly of God, a special service will recognize individuals celebrating one year of sobriety away from their hurts, habits or hang-ups, organizer Josh Singleton remarked. Music will be provided by a local band, This Year's Promise.
"We've been running on fire for Christ over the past year of 2009 and we have had over 1,000 people in attendance in small groups," Singleton said.
The 52-week curriculum takes folks who struggling in various areas of their lives — whether chemical dependency, emotional struggles or any form of powerlessness — through lessons offering hope, peace and sanity, he said.
Meetings begin at 6 p.m. on Fridays with a free meal in the Solid Rock Café. They rotate the format between large group testimonials and worship or small group studies.
Friday night's service will recognize both volunteers and program participants.
"We have had over 50 people come serve over the last year and they will be receiving chips of service," explained Singleton. "We have people who have gone through the whole program that will be picking up their sobriety chips."
The award can be carried in a pocket or worn around a person's neck as a reminder of the accomplishment.
Singleton said, "This is a celebration. These people are victorious and have overcome their hurts, habits and hang-ups."
Benjamin Flores received his one-year sobriety recognition last week.
"This is awesome," Flores said. Invited by Singleton to join the group, Flores said he wanted to check it out.
"It is a good program," he said, "and I am enjoying it. It is wonderful getting closer and closer to Jesus. That's the main thing."
Mary Parkhurst said Celebrate Recovery helped her even as she leads a small group, the A to Z Everyday Struggles.
"I have overcome people taking advantage of me and I have put my life on the right track and grown closer to the Lord," Parkhurst said.
She also believes the experience brought about more consideration for others.
"I think that I have gained compassion for others and their needs," Parkhurst said. "You feel at times you are in the world by yourself, but through this program you realize there are people just like you."
Also during the past year this local group's success and growth led to the formation of additional Celebrate Recovery groups. Representatives of those groups are expected to participate along with the people from Hickory group that inspired creation of the Morganton chapter.
Singleton said starting Pine Bridge, Spruce Pine Celebrate Recovery and Whitnel Pentecostal Celebrate Recovery has helped attract more people.
Steve Parker, publisher of Blue Ridge Christian News in Spruce Pine, said he first learned of Celebrate Recovery in 2006 while visiting Saddleback Church in California. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church that launched Celebrate Recovery 14 years ago.
Parker said his first impression was that it is a good program, but he didn't give it any more thought until connecting with the local group last spring.
"I was drawn to Josh himself. He was very much what I felt like a ministry leader should be," Parker explained.
"I attended with the idea of starting a ministry in Spruce Pine and we had our first meeting on Oct. 6," he continued. "We have become established and growing, averaging around 20. Morganton provided a lot of training for us and we definitely owe them a debt of gratitude."
Celebrate Recovery also started Celebration Station for children ages 5 up to 12.
"A child can learn about Jesus and His great love, peace and serenity in a structured environment with trained leadership," Singleton said. Their program includes praise and worship, time in each of three rotating centers and and lessons with a devotion.
Celebrate Recovery in Morganton has more goals for the coming year.
"Our vision for 2010 is to be His instruments of righteousness that each be used as an instrument for Him (God)," Singleton said, "that we would play in harmony, in unison for his eyes, His ears and down to His heart."
This vision was God given, Singleton said.
"We are here to save lives through evangelism," he said, "We have a strategic plan to win the lost."
Singleton also encouraged people interested in Celebrate Recovery to contact him.
"This program is based on each individual's own recovery and walk. There's nothing like the new year to make a fresh start," Singleton said.
Newcomers are welcome at any time. A Celebrate Recovery Bible, journal and other materials are available in both English and Spanish.
For more information on Celebrate Recovery go to www.celebraterecovery.com or call First Assembly of God at 433-6171.