CLINTON TWP — Pastor Chris Marshall of New Life Christian Ministries, 139 Knoch Road, is launching Celebrate Recovery, a ministry for healing hurts, habits and hang-ups that started Feb. 4.

The ministry has been around for nearly 25 years, and Marshall is excited to bring it to New Life. “I have always thought that it is a ministry that is after God’s heart, since his goal is to see us whole,” said Marshall.

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery program.

“While Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have long been involved in helping those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction live in recovery, each has distanced itself from identifying the “higher power” as Jesus Christ as the years have passed,” Marshall explained.

In addition to addressing those who have struggles with chemical dependency, Celebrate Recovery is for those struggling with co-dependency, anger issues and sexual addictions.

The program is open to the community. “Anyone who wants help to become a more whole person, who struggles with one of life’s ‘hurts, habits, and hang-ups.’ As with all recovery, the ideal person is the one who acknowledges he or she has a problem and wants help to overcome it,” Marshall said.

The program is run by a core team of volunteers. “As the ministry unfolds, we will need folks who are willing to serve as greeters, serve refreshments, serve on the worship team, and serve as small group leaders. Training is provided for each of these opportunities,” he explained.

A meeting is a mix of fellowship, teaching and small group time.

Participants will have the opportunity to gather for refreshments when the doors open at 6 p.m.

“At 7 p.m. the group moves to the large-group meeting, which includes a brief time of worship, followed by a teaching from a leader, or a testimony from a group member,” explained Marshall. “Then at 8 p.m. small-group time begins, and folks move to gender-specific groups based on their particular hurt, habit or hang-up. The evening concludes at 9 p.m.”

The goal of Celebrate Recovery is that people will find recovery in their life through the saving love of Jesus Christ, he said.

“In addition we see people developing positive relationships with others who are in recovery. Celebrate Recovery also offers an affirming place to meet for an evening, offering a welcome sanctuary for those seeking refreshment and renewal,” Marshall offered.

That renewal and refreshment is just what Patti Gomola of Allegheny County received when she started on her journey with Celebrate Recovery. Gomola began her recovery with Alcoholics Anonymous.

“It helped me in the beginning, and I am grateful that it got me through the start of my recovery. After a few years, I felt as though something was missing. I needed more from the meetings other than just any ‘God of my understanding’,”Gomola said.

“I wanted to find a place where I could share my Christian faith with others and get encouragement from others who believe in the same God that I do. Where I can say the name Jesus and not feel shamed by others when I am specific about my beliefs,” she added. Her husband found a group and she began to attend.

The consistency of meeting with other Christian believers who understood the struggle took her recovery to a different level.

“So often people with addictions of any kind suffer not only from the addiction but from the misconception that they are the only one going through it and that no one understands what they are going through,” said Gomola.

“When one comes to these meetings and hears stories similar to their own told from another person’s perspective, it gives hope that recovery is possible and that they are not alone in their suffering,” said Gomola.

One of the biggest hurdles in getting to meetings has been child care. Gomola she was thrilled to know New Life is providing that for the participants, making it easier for people to attend.

She encourages people, to just come and try the meetings for a couple of weeks. “God is fully capable to help anyone recover from any type of issue they are facing. It is up to each one of us to ‘Let go and let God,’” she said.

“We at New Life will be starting with groups for people with addiction issues, as well as for people or families who know someone in addiction and are in need of support,” she explained. “It is not only for the addict but for the enabler, the co-dependent, people with anger issues, you name it.”

Gomola said many times people have misconceptions that God is an angry God. “Here at New Life and Celebrate Recovery, we want people to learn about God and his true character and his love for us and his plan for our lives to have a personal relationship with him,” she said.

“New Life’s mission is: sharing the new life of Jesus Christ with the world — one person at a time. We believe that Celebrate Recovery gives us a significant opportunity to see that mission fulfilled right here in our own community,” said Marshall.