A Testimony from one of "Our Girls" on the inside: Connie

My name is Connie. I grew up in a Jehovah Witness home with my parents and my younger sister.  We were happy and I served God the way I was taught. I was married by the time I was 18 years old and started working in a liquor store.  My marriage didn’t last long and I started drinking at night while going through a divorce.  I remarried and suffered from domestic violence. This marriage ended in divorce also.

I depended on alcohol, drugs and spiritualism. I tried to get close to God the only way I knew but I had been shunned from the Jehovah Witness church - I was told I had not conformed to their rules.  I was no longer worthy of associating with other believers in the church. I was also told that if I tried to attend another church it was a sin, and this was a sin for which there was no forgiveness.

I got involved with the wrong group of people and my addiction progressed to the point that I was no longer able to work.  I started to go through dumps and graveyards and realized that I had reached my lowest point.

While driving, I hit a man and went to prison to serve a six month sentence. When I was released, I took my two children to an evangelical Christian church; they still continue to attend the same church.  Within a year I had relapsed.  My addiction was so sever I began living on the streets, drinking medicinal alcohol and stealing to survive. After trying to take my life I cried out to God with all my heart, I remember saying: "... I do not want to offend you again, today I want to do your will ... “ I felt led to give myself to the authorities for the crime I had committed.

I’m thankful that I am in prison as this is where I heard about Celebrate Recovery. This program has helped me to heal from the pain of my past and point me in the direction of a loving, forgiving God.  I am a new woman with a purpose and a strong desire to use my experience and my testimony to help others. Thanks to all who support the Celebrate Recovery program in any way; it really changed my life. 

God bless you and thank you for letting me share.

*Names have been changed to protect their identity.

Road to Recovery Newsletter: September 2016

Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program.  It is based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory.  This program is designed to help those struggling with hurts, habits and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a recovery process.

We are completely bi-lingual with Step Studies on Tuesday evening and Large Group/Open Share Group meeting on Thursday evenings.

Tuesday evenings we dig deep as we work through the 8 choices of Celebrate Recovery in a small group setting. This is a safe place to open up, share and grow in your recovery walk. Because these groups share intimate details and go through the steps together the groups have a certain “open/close” date. For more information regarding the next open sessions please contact us.  We meet from 7pm – 9pm at Calvary Chapel Rosarito.

Thursday evenings start with a time of corporate worship, followed by announcements and a lesson or a testimony to listen to and then a time of meeting with a small group to discuss what was shared in the lesson. Thursday evenings are open to everyone.  On Thursday evenings we meet from 7pm – 9pm at Calvary Chapel Rosarito.

Jose and Merella's story

One or our Celebrate Recovery participants invited Merella to Celebrate Recovery. After asking a few questions about the program, she made mention that she was not an alcoholic or drug addict, and questioned why she should attend the program? During a Large Group meetings she recognized that Jesus Christ gave his life for her and accepted the free gift of salvation. Even though she was not a drug addict or an alcoholic she realized there were other hurts, habits and hang-ups in her life that she wanted to deal with.  Within weeks Merella and her husband Jose were baptized together. They have servant hearts and are a tremendous blessing to all that come in contact with them.

October 22, 2016 we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Celebrate Recovery Information Seminar.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our Bi-Lingual program.  If you are in the Rosarito area please join us for the day!

Back row: Cheryl, Karla, Lorena, Sharon

Front Row: Madi, Pastor Wendy, Melissa

These were the ladies who went into the Ensenada prison to minister to "Our Girls on the Inside".  It was all about sharing the love of Jesus as we celebrated Step Study Graduations.  Thank you St. Albert Alliance team for living out Matthew 25:36b, 39 & 40 ... I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

Updates &
Prayer Requests

From East Tijuana to Ensenada, approximately 60 pastors and church leaders have received the Celebrate Recovery Step Study training. Please pray for them as they personally complete the 24 week step study and then open it up to their congregations so that healing can begin.

At Celebrate Recovery Calvary Chapel Rosarito we have just completed our third set of step studies.  Please pray for the new session of step studies as it begins on August 16th.

 

Celebrate Recovery
Summit 2016

What a joy it was to be able to gather with others who are also involved in a ministry we so dearly love. Our team came back to Mexico refreshed and ready to continue the good work we have been called to in helping others be set free from their hurts, habits and hang-ups. Please pray that God would continue to meet the needs of this ministry.

Your prayers, your love,
your encouraging words, your support ...
these never go unnoticed. 
Thank you!