This summer, I used some annual leave from my day job to get out on the road and visit Celebrate Recovery ministries across the UK. I had the privilege of visiting a new group in my home city of Newcastle, along with groups in Cardiff, Bristol (twice!), Bath, Wokingham and Romford. One of the joys of serving as UK Director is connecting with the people who faithfully lead and serve in Celebrate Recovery week after week. These visits gave me the opportunity to listen, learn and encourage those serving in local CR ministries. They also helped me gain a deeper understanding of how Celebrate Recovery UK can better support local ministries through training, resources and stronger connections.

Along the way, many people have asked about the tour, so I thought I’d answer some of these questions as a way of sharing what I’ve seen, heard and learned.

Why did you decide to hit the road and visit Celebrate Recovery groups across the UK?

I’ve been running my Celebrate Recovery group for over 20 years and I have benefited so much from my connections with other CR leaders who ‘get it’. They understand the joys and the challenges of serving in this ministry. They share the same excitement of having seen Jesus change their own lives, and the same passion to bring this hope to others.

When I took on the role of CR UK Director last October, top of my wish list of things I wanted to do was to visit our UK groups to strengthen our network of support and encouragement. So, when a friend invited me to a celebration event in the South of England, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine the trip with visits to some of our Celebrate Recovery family along the way.

What was your overall impression of the groups you’ve visited?

What has stood out most has been the close and supportive community of all our Celebrate Recovery groups. It’s been precious to see the warmth and care amongst teams and participants – and I was welcomed in as part of their family.

I’ve also been inspired by the commitment of Ministry Leaders and their teams, who faithfully serve week in, week out.

What’s been the most encouraging thing you’ve seen?

Testimonies! Whether in the Open Share Groups or in conversations before or after meetings, I’ve been reminded of how powerfully God is using CR to bring hope and transformation to people’s lives. It’s exciting to hear these stories – they spur me on to help make CR more widely known across the UK.

What challenges are local ministries facing right now?

It’s different for each group, but three that come to mind are:

• Some groups are short of leaders.
• Some teams have members who haven’t yet completed a Step Study themselves (worked through the CR Participant’s Guides) and this can leave people lacking confidence when it comes to sponsoring participants or sharing their own Celebrate Recovery testimony.
• Some churches still hold the wrong impression that CR is just for people recovering from drugs or alcohol issues, when actually CR is for all of us – for anyone willing to admit that a hurt, hang-up or habit has been spoiling our lives and growth.

What has inspired you most during the tour?

People’s openness. Despite not knowing most of the participants, the safe guidelines of CR and the honesty of others in the groups meant that sharing was very real. It’s so refreshing to feel that every Celebrate Recovery meeting is a home away from home.

How will what you’re learning shape future training and support?

I have plenty of ideas, but I want to focus on the support that will make the greatest difference. I’m following up each visit with a Zoom conversation with Ministry Leaders to hear their thoughts. Together with what I’ve learned on the tour, these conversations will help shape discussions at our National Team meeting in September and guide future training and support.

If you could share one message with every Celebrate Recovery leader and volunteer in the UK, what would it be?

God is more interested in transformed lives than impressive numbers at your meetings. So don’t be tempted to bend Celebrate Recovery’s DNA because numbers are low or you’re short of leaders. Celebrate Recovery works because it’s built on a proven structure that creates a safe place for people to be honest, heal and grow. Stay faithful to the DNA of the ministry whilst loving those God brings along. Faithfulness bears fruit.

Thank you to every Ministry Leader, team member and participant who welcomed me so warmly. It was great to get to know you better. I’m excited to continue the journey together.