Healing can be a challenge. Whether healing from physical illness, mental illness, addiction, emotional pain, financial challenges or just hang-ups that inhibit one’s growth, the Celebrate Recover program has been instrumental in helping people to find connection and renewal through its Christ-centered initiatives.  In the 23 years since the program began, nearly three million people have embraced the principles and found joy again, among those many from Harrison County.

 

Bridgeport United Methodist Church is the newest location for the Celebrate Recovery community.  Beginning this summer, the church plans to host Celebrate Recovery on Wednesday evenings. Currently, there are Harrison County Celebrate Recovery Ministries at Clarksburg Baptist Church on Tuesday evenings, First United Methodist Church in Shinnston on Thursday evenings, and at Horizons Church in Lost Creek on Friday evenings.

 

“The statistics are staggering.  With 23 million suffering from addiction, 40 million suffering from anxiety, 20 million suffering from depression and so many who may not even be counted among those facing challenges, we want to have as many local opportunities as we can to ensure people can find the help they need,” said BUMC Celebrate Recovery Director Ben Randolph. 

 

Emotional, financial, and physical issues can also have a ripple effect on the family and friends who surround the one suffering.  Celebrate Recovery helps with the impact on them as well. 

 

“The 8 Principles of Recovery are centered around the Beatitudes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and include methods to examine one’s own life and consciously choosing to commit to the happiness God has in store,” said Randolph.

 

The group also uses 12 steps with accompanying scriptures and resources in order to empower those in recovery.  By combining an outreach ministry, workbooks, small group step studies, and resources, the program encourages constant support and prayer among those seeking help.

 

“Through Celebrate Recovery, we each rebuild our faith and hope and we receive God’s grace as we do it,” said Randolph.  “It gives people an opportunity to seek strength from others while keeping their focus on God as they grow and recover.”

 

Typically, meetings begin with large group praise and worship, followed by a teaching or personal testimony. The group then breaks into issue-specific, gender-specific small groups where they can share freely and confidentially. 

 

“We are now in the planning stages for the BUMC location,” said Randolph.  “We are having weekly leadership sessions for those who have shown interest in helping facilitate the small groups.  Once we start the program this summer, there will be many opportunities for people to serve in the capacity in which they are called.  Service is a vital part of the process of recovery.” 

Randolph also notes that the meetings will be held at the Johnson Avenue location of BUMC, not the main campus.  Celebrate Recovery is non-denominational and open to everyone free of charge.

 

Bridgeport United Methodist Church Senior Pastor Ken Ramsey is excited about the group being part of the church family. 

 

“Celebrate Recovery has assisted countless people on the road toward living a life of freedom and joy. I am pleased that we are going to be able to offer the presence of celebrate recovery for the Bridgeport community,” said Ramsey.  “Bridgeport United Methodist Church is committed to providing as many ways as we can for persons to discover a life of wholeness and purpose through Christ Jesus. I believe Celebrate Recovery can indeed be a vital part of this commitment. One of our many visions for the Johnson Ave campus is for it to be used for recovery gatherings and emphases. This will be one of those essential programs.”