Summit Offers Life-Changing Solutions for Those Looking for Recovery
Thousands of people have found freedom from their hurts, hang-ups, and habits, through the Celebrate Recovery program, which is active in over 13,000 churches worldwide. Through this life-changing ministry, hurting individuals are finding recovery. The Celebrate Recovery program recognizes that every person can identify with some type of hurt that haunts them; a hang-up that causes pain; and habits that are destructive to people’s lives.
Celebrate Recovery began at Saddleback Church nearly 19 years ago when John Baker, a recovering alcoholic, suggested to senior pastor Rick Warren that the church needed a biblically-based recovery ministry. Baker proposed a program that would offer healing for anyone struggling with any kind of hurt, hang-up, or habit.
“Celebrate Recovery works because it is based on Jesus Christ and the eight principles of the Beatitudes,” says John Baker, Founder and Pastor of Celebrate Recovery. “I have seen Him restore broken people and turn the junk in people’s lives around to be used for His glory and to help other people find recovery.”
“Not only will people learn to find healing in Jesus, they’ll find safe people who have gone through what they’re going through and are willing to walk alongside them in their journey” says Baker.
After almost 20 years of helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups and habits, more than 11,500 people have been through the program at Saddleback Church. More than 70 percent of those who have taken part came from outside of the church. Rick Warren calls it "a leadership factory," because more than half of those who have been through the program have become leaders in the church.
The Summit (August 11-13) is a life-changing, three-day conference where pastors and lay leaders will learn how to start Celebrate Recovery in their own churches. Leading experts will be speaking including, John Baker and his wife Cheryl, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. In addition, there will be over 20 workshops and networking opportunities.
“Our God is a God of second, third, and fourth chances,” says Baker. “For the past 19 years I’ve had a front row seat in watching God dramatically change lives, and I know that this year will be no different.”
www.celebraterecovery.com