By John Howell
Celebrate Recovery’s launch in Panola County on Saturday, July 23 is planned as a family fun day at Hosanna Family Worship Center with a free lunch catered by Taylor Grocery, live music, inflatables and other family activities — all to bring awareness to a Bible-based addiction recovery program.
“It’s not just about drugs and alcohol,” said Scott Mayhorn, a non-denominational pastor who will coordinate Celebrate Recovery’s implementation for Panola and surrounding counties. “It’s about recovery of people who are suffering from all forms of addiction — violence, anger, depression, abuse.”
“We’re all in recovery from a disease called sin; it just manifests itself differently in each of us. The recovery process is the same, according to Jesus,” Mayhorn continued.
Celebrate Recovery incorporates 12 “Christ-centered” steps plus eight precepts from the Beatitudes presented in the Gospel of Matthew.
“As we progress through the principles and the steps we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power — Jesus Christ,” according to a Celebrate Recovery spokesperson. Naming the “Higher Power” distinguishes Celebrate Recovery from Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous step programs where the higher power also remains anonymous.
“The purpose of the Celebrate Recovery program is to provide fellowship while celebrating God’s healing power in our lives,” Celebrate Recovery states.
Weekly celebrations will begin July 27 and continue each Wednesday evening at Hosanna Family Worship Center, 586 Hentz Road, Pope at 6:30 p.m. The goal is to spread the celebrations to other churches.
At present, there are 45 people meeting weekly “and we really haven’t kicked off the program yet,” Mayhorn said.
Celebrate Recovery originated with Rick Warren’s California-based Saddleback Valley Community Church and has spread to 28,000 churches worldwide, according to Mayhorn.
“Celebrate Recovery is independent. It does operate out of a church, but it is a non-denominational program. We’re here to minister to anybody.”
Mayhorn can be reached for additional information at 662-607-5916. Or visit www.celebraterecovery.com.