What is it that makes attending Celebrate Recovery events, in the US and in the UK, worthwhile? I asked a couple of the guys who came to October’s Celebrate Recovery UK Conference what they felt they got out of the day.
Pete is an Open Share Group leader. It was his first Celebrate Recovery conference. He said:
I enjoyed being in a room with other Celebrate Recovery groups in the UK, hearing encouraging testimonies of how God has been at work in peoples’ lives.
It was great to hear about how it all started in the UK over two decades ago, from small beginnings and lots of prayer, to where we are today, with groups meeting all over the country.
I was encouraged by learning from other group leaders how to facilitate a welcoming and supportive Open Share Group.
I was also inspired to ask more members of our Celebrate Recovery group what their testimony of recovery is.
Ian has been involved in Celebrate Recovery for a few years as a participant and serving his local group in a variety of ways from welcoming to sponsoring. He said:
I had the opportunity to meet people from other Celebrate Recovery groups and hear how God is working in their lives and in the lives of those who attend their meetings. I found it encouraging knowing I’m part of a programme that, through Jesus Christ, works to change people. Hearing that God has worked in their lives inspires faith in me that He can continue working in me.
I came away reflecting on the need and opportunity to grow in my own recovery.
It was definitely worth waking up very early to catch the 6.40am train to Derby! I really look forward to the next one.
The feedback we received on the evaluation forms was also very positive. It seems to me, that those who came thought it was worthwhile!
You can read more about the conference in our autumn newsletter.