Celebrate Recovery

Come as you are.

Welcome to Celebrate Recovery at

Grace Pointe Recovery Church

Welcome to CR!

We are so glad you’re checking us out. Whether you’re looking for your 1st meeting or your 100th meeting we understand it takes courage to work on your hurts, habits and hang-ups. We believe Celebrate Recovery is a place where lasting change and healing can take place.

We honor your confidentiality and anonymity. Who we see here and what we hear here, always stays here! We want all of our forever family to have a safe place to work on their hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

We have 15 experienced recovery leaders, who have 218 years in recovery (108 of those years in the Celebrate Recovery Ministry). We Celebrate Recovery in multiple areas including: drugs, alcohol, depression, abuse (childhood, sexual, emotional, physical, spiritual), finances, pride, food issues, pornography, codependency, anxiety, divorce, grief, sex trafficking, workaholism, tobacco, chronic illness, panic attacks, relationship addiction, anger… and we’re still working on ourselves so we continue to become more like Jesus.

If you have any questions please ask one of us. We’ll be glad to help in any way we can.

Celebrating Every Step With You,
Joe Bruno, Celebrate Recovery Pastor
Scott Annin, CR Ministry Leader
Christe, Sandy, Dawn, Jamey, Ruth, Brooke, Allison, Deborah, Fred – GPRC CR Leaders

Atmosphere:

We want you to be comfortable, so come as you are.

Wednesday Night Schedule:

6:00 pm – 6:25 pm Meal (free)

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Worship with Recovery Lesson or Testimony

7:35 pm – 8:30 pm Open Share Groups

Location:

710 S. Pleasantburg Drive
Greenville, SC 29607

We meet every Wednesday night, 52 weeks a year. Please stop by the Welcome Desk in the middle of the Fellowship Center, we want to meet you! After looking around, if you still have questions, contact us!

Celebrate Recovery is a Biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. It is based on the actual Words of Jesus taken from Matthew chapter 5. Grace Pointe Recovery Church believes in providing a place for the broken to come and face the pain in their lives. Because of this, GPRC’s pastors and board passionately support Celebrate Recovery and the practical principles that are designed to help others find authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Celebrate Recovery operates as an extension of Grace Pointe Recovery Church, and is a unique congregation focused on healing.

The 8 Recovery Principles

Principle 1:

Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable. “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.”

Principle 2:

Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Principle 3:

Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. “Happy are the meek.”

Principle 4:

Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to someone I trust. “Happy are the pure in heart.”

Principle 5:

Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.”

Principle 6:

Evaluate all my relationships; offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others except when to do so would harm them or others. “Happy are the merciful” & “Happy are the peacemakers.”

Principle 7:

Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.

Principle 8:

Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.”

The 12 Christ-Centered Steps

Step 1:

We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. – I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)

Step 2:

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. – For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

Step 3:

We made a decision to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God. – Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

Step 4:

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. – Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. (Lamentations 3:40)

Step 5:

We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

Step 6:

We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Step 7:

We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Step 8:

We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. – Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)

Step 9:

We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. – Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

Step 10:

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. – So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Step 11:

We sought, through prayer and meditation, to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out. – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16)

Step 12:

Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. – Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Throughout this material, you will notice several references to the Christ-centered 12 steps. Our prayer is that Celebrate Recovery will create a bridge to the millions of people who are familiar with the secular 12 Steps (I acknowledge the use of some material from the 12 Suggested Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous) and in so doing, introduce them to the one and only Higher Power, Jesus Christ. Once they begin that relationship, asking Christ into their hearts as Lord and Savior, true healing and recovery can begin!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Celebrate Recovery For?

Celebrate Recovery is for anyone struggling with life. If you have ever had a hurt, if you have ever had a hang-up in life, or perhaps you have struggled with an addiction, then this ministry is for you. We all share one thing in common: hurt.

What is Celebrate Recovery For?

We are: a safe place, a refuge, a place of belonging, a place to care for others and be cared for, where respect is given to each member, where confidentiality is highly regarded, a place to learn, to grow and become strong again, where you can take off your mask, a place for healthy challenges and healthy risks, a possible turning point in your life

We are NOT: a place of selfish control, therapy, a place for secrets, a place to look for dating relationships, a place to rescue or be rescued by others, a place of perfection, a long-term commitment, a place to judge others, a quick fix.

How Do I Get Started?

The entry point for Celebrate Recovery is to come to Wednesday nights starting at 6:00pm. All you have to do is show up and we will walk you through everything.

What Can I Expect?

Celebrate Recovery is one of the most loving environments you will be a part of. Everyone here is on the same road as you are, and though your issues may be differing in some ways we all are seeking truth in the same way. This is a safe environment where you can take your mask off and be who you are. We want you to be comfortable, so come as you are.

Does It Cost Anything to Attend?

There is no cost to attend Celebrate Recovery meetings. We offer a free meal each Wednesday evening from 6:00-6:25 pm. Free-will offerings are received during the large group time, but there is no obligation to give. Workbooks, bibles, devotionals and other resources that are utilized at other times outside of the Wednesday night meetings are available for purchase on Wednesday nights.

Who Started Celebrate Recovery?

John Baker started Celebrate Recovery with the main purpose of being able to talk about Jesus Christ as his Higher Power.

What Are the Chips, and Why Are They Important?

The chips are simple, round plastic tokens that are designed to give each person an opportunity to mark their individual recovery. If you don’t have an addiction that can be marked by sobriety easily, then we suggest you mark your journey from the day you pick up the blue chip, which is the first chip marking surrender in your life.

Is Celebrate Recovery Confidential?

Yes, Celebrate Recovery maintains strict confidentiality. This promotes an atmosphere of trust and enables recovery. We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity. The guidelines/rules protect all of us. In a safe place you can take off your mask and be real and honest without fear. You are in control of when and how much you participate.

What if I Can't Make it Every Week?

You are welcome to come when you can for worship, large group and open share groups. However if you join a Step Study, you are expected to make every effort to attend each week until you complete it. As with any endeavor, the more effort you put into Celebrate Recovery, the more benefit you will gain.

What is Recovery?

In physical health, recovery refers to the process of moving from illness to wellness. Our hurts, hang-ups, and habits are like an illness and using the tools of Celebrate Recovery we begin to move toward wholeness and healing.

Is Celebrate Recovery for Me?

Celebrate Recovery offers a person the opportunity to participate in a group fellowship where love and hope combine with God’s purpose to mend our lives.

Are there things in my life that I do that hurt others? Is there something I wish I could live without? Is it time to admit I am not in control of my life? Do I have a painful hang-up or habit from which I need to be freed? If you answered “yes” to any of these statements then we urge you to attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting.

What is a Step Study?

The Step Study takes place on a night other than Wednesdays and generally last 2 hours. Men and women, separated by gender, work through the four Participant’s Guides, based on the 12-steps and the 8 principles and their Biblical comparison from Matthew 5 and follow the “5 Guidelines” during meetings. Groups meet weekly for 8-12 months under the gentle and loving guidance of a trained leader and/or co-leader to let Christ help them reveal and deal with issues in their lives that have become heavy baggage.

Whatever the hurt, hang-up, or habit might be, people honestly working through the material in these step study groups are able to form strong bonds and support teams, find accountability partners, sponsors and friends through sharing and caring. Most importantly, they are able to be freed from the shame, guilt and pain of their issues by learning to let go and let God take over – one day at a time!

What is the Difference Between a "Sponsor" and an "Accountability Partner?"

We cover this topic extensively whenever you join a step study group. However, in short, an accountability partner is anyone that you trust that is on the road with you in life. This person will be one for you to call and check-up with periodically. They can be trusted to point you to truth, to encourage your attendance to meetings, and walk with you on the road to recovery. A sponsor is an accountability partner who has completed the recovery process. Ideally, you want the sponsor to have recovery in issues similar to your own, so they can relate to you and your journey. All accountability partners and sponsors are to be the same gender.

Do I Have to be a Member of GPRC to Attend Celebrate Recovery?

No, Celebrate Recovery is a ministry for anyone who is interested in a Christ centered recovery program that will enable them to recover from life’s hurts, hang-ups, habits and addictions. There are attendees who are not members and/or do not attend Grace Pointe Recovery Church. You are welcomed by our loving fellowship of believers to visit with us at our additional weekend service each Sunday at 11:00.

Do I Have to Come for the Full Three Hours on Wednesday Nights?

While each component of Celebrate Recovery is important, you are not required to attend all three hours on Wednesday night. The meal time before the worship service and coffee/dessert after open share groups are great times to meet others and find accountability partners and sponsors. You will leave charged and refreshed through the fellowship and spiritual healing that come in the context of the Wednesday night experiences. But, we know that each person’s situation is unique and simply ask you to attend what is applicable and convenient for you.

Do I Have to Share?

In the Open Share Groups, absolutely not . . . until you are ready. You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you to become comfortable. In the Step Studies everyone is required to share as the questions are answered.

Did We Miss Your Question?

If you still have a question you could not find the answer to, email us and let us know how we can help!

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is;
Not as I would have it;

Trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
AMEN

-Reinhold Niebuhr

Get In Touch

We would love to hear from you!