How did Celebrate Recovery start?

John Baker, a believer who struggled with addictive tendencies, found help through a secular recovery program and began the healing process. He quickly became frustrated when he found he was not allowed to refer to his personal Higher Power, Jesus Christ. He presented a plan to start a Christian 12 Step recovery program to his pastor, Rick Warren. Pastor Rick said, "Do it!" John did and Celebrate Recovery was born at Saddleback Church in 1990. In 2005 at Camelback Community, several people began to pray for the Lord's direction about starting Celebrate Recovery here. God brought together a leadership team and Celebrate Recovery was launched August 2009.

What is Recovery?

In the physical, health recovery refers to the process of moving from illness to wellness. Our hurts, habits and hang-ups are like an illness. Using the tools of Celebrate Recovery we begin to move toward wholeness. Some might say from bondage to freedom in Christ. Others might say from self-reliance to faith in Christ.

How often does Celebrate Recovery meet?

Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday evening. The meetings are designed so that a person may begin on the road to recovery at any time; you need not wait for a start date to begin your recovery.

Is there a cost for Celebrate Recovery?

Celebrate Recovery does not charge for the ministry, however a free-will offering is taken. Workbooks are utilized in some aspects of the program and are available at the resource table on Friday evenings.

Is Celebrate Recovery confidential?

Yes, Celebrate Recovery maintains strict confidentiality. This promotes an atmosphere of trust, facilitates growth and enables recovery. Who is in the meeting and what is said in the meeting, stays in the meeting.

What is the format of a meeting?

There is fellowship from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by an uninterrupted time of worship and singing from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. A teaching or personal testimony is presented to the entire Celebrate Recovery group. From 8:00 to 9:00 PM gender-specific issue groups meet that provide a format for open sharing. No one is required to participate in the personal sharing. Promptly at 9:00 PM the group meetings end and there is a time of fellowship with others.

Who are the leaders of Celebrate Recovery?

The leaders of Celebrate Recovery are men and women who have gone through similar addictions, hurts, hang-ups and harmful behaviors and have been through this or a similar recovery program. The leaders are not counselors and do not offer any professional clinical advice. If professional advice is required, referrals may be made.

What types of issues are dealt with at Celebrate Recovery?

A wide variety of hurts, hang-ups and harmful behaviors are represented at Celebrate Recovery. Examples include dependency on alcohol or drugs, pornography, the need to control, anger, co-dependency, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, perfectionism, abuse, and broken relationships.

Do I have to be a member of Christ Church to attend?

No, Celebrate Recovery is a ministry outreach for anyone who is interested in a Christ-centered recovery program that will enable them to recover from life's hurts, hang-ups, habits, and addictions.

Is there childcare available?

Yes, from 8:00 to 9:00 PM childcare for infants through age 4 is provided in our nursery and for students age 5-13 in our children's program.

Are there rules that are followed at Celebrate Recovery meetings?

Yes. To ensure confidentiality and anonymity, the following five rules are followed at all times:

Do men and women meet together?

We all meet together for the worship time and large group meeting and then dismiss into Open Share issue groups. All Open Share issue group meetings are gender-specific.

What is the difference between Open Share and Step Study groups?

Open Share: These groups are organized by gender and focus on many types of hurt and habits. You are not required to share in the discussion in these groups. You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you to become comfortable with participating in the discussion.

Step Study: A Step Study group is a personal journey through the spiritual steps in a confidential group led by a facilitator. There are specific workbooks that are used to complete the study. When you finish the study, you will have worked your hurts, habits and hang-ups through each step. A Step Study is a long-term commitment to the members of the group. In the Step Studies everyone is encouraged to share in the discussion as the questions are asked.

How is Celebrate Recovery different from other 12 Step programs?

At Celebrate Recovery our Higher Power is Jesus Christ and the Word of God is our authority. Our Step Study guidebooks refer to scripture references for instruction. Every Friday we begin by worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through music and prayer.

Do other 12 Step programs work?

While most 12 Step groups are not Christian, you will find that many Christians are participants. Most meetings are focused on specific issues and you will find fellow strugglers that have experience dealing with your issue. While Celebrate Recovery is not meant to replace any existing programs, we encourage everyone to evaluate what is shared and discussed in light of the Scriptures.

What do we mean that Celebrate Recovery is a "safe place?"

We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity - what you hear and who you see at Celebrate Recovery stays here. The rules protect all of us from judgment and being "fixed." In a "safe place" you can take off your "mask" and be real and honest without fear. You are 100% in control of when and how much you participate.

How long does Celebrate Recovery last?

Working through a Step Study is a long-term commitment to the members of the group. It will typically take 12 months to complete the study. After completing the Step Study, we hope you will join with us in ministering to others dealing with their hurts, habits and hang-ups.

What if I can't make it every week?

You are welcome to come when you can for worship, large group and open groups. However, if you join a Step Study, you are expected to come each week until you complete it. As with any endeavor, the more effort you put into Celebrate Recovery, the more benefit you will gain.

How do I get started?

Just show up at Camelback Community Church, located at 7634 W. Camelback Rd, Glendale AZ. Worship at 7:00PM, and small groups at 8:00 PM.