Open Door Ministries to launch Celebrate Recovery Program

Having a shoulder to lean on through troubling times can help people overcome difficult situations.

A shoulder for people to lean on will be provided by Open Door Ministries w hen the church at 609 NE 19th St. launches its Celebrate Recovery Program at 5:30 p.m.on Wednesday (Sept. 14).

The program will include fellowship, large and small group sessions.

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery program for anyone 18 and older struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.

The program helps anyone who is facing trouble with any form of addiction or trauma, said Shenetta Michelle Green, coordinator of the program.

"The program has helped me," Green said. "I'm glad the church is launching this program because it is going to help others."

Celebrate Recovery started in 1991 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. It was founded by John Baker, a cured former alcoholic staff member of Saddleback Church, with the support of Pastor Rick Warren.

The 12-step recovery program is centered around the eight principles inspired by Matthew 5:3-10.

The principles are written as an acronym for the word 'recovery.'

The eight principles are realizing you're not God, earnestly believing in God, consciously committing to Christ's care and control, openly examining and confessing faults to God, voluntarily submitting to any changes God wants to make, evaluating all of your friendships, reserving daily time with God for self examination, and yielding yourself to God to be used to bring good news to others.

"It's important that we go through the process and make sure we do self-inventory so that we can self-analyze and offer forgiveness to ourselves and others," Green said.

Gwen Green-Anderson said she was inspired to bring the program to Open Door Ministries after seeing its success in her former church called Impact Church in Jacksonville.

"I've seen the need in Gainesville," Green-Anderson said.

She said she loves how Christianity and confidentiality is a priority in the program.

"The guidelines are awesome," Green-Anderson said. "Everything that goes on in the group stays in the group. People who come can feel the need to share and know that it won't be repeated outside of the group. We hold confidentiality to a high standard."

Green-Anderson said the program has helped her through personal traumas and she is looking forward to the program doing the same for others.

"I saw that it helped and worked for me, and it can help them," Green-Anderson said. "Once you join this program, we become a forever family."

Valerie Littles, one of the program leaders, said the program is an answer to her prayers.

"Just because we're saved doesn't mean our issues go away," Littles said. "Sometimes we're not aware of what's stopping us from being what God intended us to be. We have to know our hurts, habits and hang ups."

Littles said the study groups she attended transformed her life.

"Through the program, God helped put a light in places I wasn't aware of," Littles said. "God exposed that in a gentle way."

Littles said she wants residents to participate in the program so it can help them heal from their addictions or traumas.

"This is a chance to walk with your community with love," Littles said. "This is a place of safety and no judgment. We're not here to fix one another, we're here to support one another."

For those who are interested in becoming a Celebrate Recovery program leader, volunteer or join the program, please call 352-377-8162.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Open Door Ministries to launch Celebrate Recovery Program