With the New Year here, many people are looking to turn over a new leaf, start a new chapter or make a fresh start. However you decide to say it, changes are usually exciting at first and then tough slugging when the discipline involved in the day-to-day, moment-to-moment changes unfold.
"There is one really effective way to help make lasting changes," said Rob Henson of Celebrate Recovery.
Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step, biblically based program to help people deal with their hurts, habits and hang-ups, has been running on the Coast for three years.
Henson said the word recovery in Celebrate Recovery has excluded some people from finding freedom from their issues due to their assumptions that recovery is only for the addict.
"In fact, Celebrate Recovery is a program that helps all people work through any type of hurt, habit or hang-up, whether it's a chemical addiction, an emotional struggle, relational hurts, food addiction or financial troubles," he said. "This means the program is for anyone who is willing to admit they need help."
Celebrate Recovery meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at Gibsons Salvation Army in the Seaview Plaza. They are hosting a special gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 15, called Fresh Start for those who want to make certain changes in their lives.
At this meeting, there will be a chance for people to see what a typical Celebrate Recovery meeting looks like and to have their questions answered about the program. There will also be an announcement made about a new eight-week course starting called Life's Healing Choices, which is based on the same principles as the Celebrate Recovery program.
The Life's Healing Choices course and the Celebrate Recovery program are open to anyone, and people are welcome to join anytime. Both take place on Tuesday evenings.
"I really hope lots of people check things out. We really want to see people making a fresh start in 2013 and finding healing from whatever is holding them back," Henson said.
"People need to know that they are not alone in their struggles."
"I have experienced first-hand the life-changing impacts that God has made in my own life through this program," added Rob's wife Jen. "I have seen this same transformation in the lives of many others. It gives me a lot of hope."
For more information on Celebrate Recovery or Life's Healing Choices email [email protected], call 604-886-7232 or see www.coastcelebraterecovery.com.
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