Celebrate Recovery: a community for people with 'Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups'

By Lizzie Moyer

LAUREL — Celebrate Recovery, a faith based program meeting every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m., reaches out to the community by holding dinners, bible studies, and helping children. 

Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program that teaches biblical principles to help individuals struggling with addiction, emotional pain, or bad habits. 

One group, a part of the global organization, is at Laurel Nazarene Church in Laurel.

The program focuses on connecting with individuals attending “CR.” At 6 p.m., attendees are welcomed to a dinner provided by the men’s fellowship leader, followed by worship music, a lesson or testimony, and small groups.

John Jones, Bonnie Daigle, and Craig Moyer have been regular Celebrate Recovery attendees for over five years. Since joining the organization, Daigle and Moyer have accepted leadership roles as the men’s and women’s CR fellowship leaders. 

“I became the leader about nine years ago,” said Moyer. “I lead the men’s fellowship and have taken the responsibility as the cook. I thought that meals would give everyone extra time for fellowship and community.”

Laurel’s Celebrate Recovery is attempting to reach out outside of the walls of the church through events such as God’s Table and Angel Prison Ministries. Angel Prison Ministries is a new outreach event where the program gives Christmas gifts to children whose parents are incarcerated. 

Bonnie Daigle believes Celebrate Recovery is a place where people can share their “hurts, habits, and hang-ups” without worrying about a break of confidentiality.

Daigle said a stigma is often placed on the program due to the word, “recovery.” However, only 10% of attendees struggle with substance abuse while the majority is attempting to overcome issues such as pride, anxiety, overeating, etc. 

Jones believes that confessing can open a person to a community of people who understand their struggles. 

“I believe that the church needs to look like CR,” said Jones. “Church is supposed to be a place where you come as you are, which includes being honest about the habits you struggle with.” 

John Jones (right) and Bonnie Daigle (left) eating dinner together at Celebrate Recovery. Photo by L. Moyer

John Jones (left) grabbing his dinner that was prepared by Craig Moyer (right). Photo by L. Moyer