The History of Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery started in 1991 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. At that time, the church was meeting at a high school gymnasium. John Baker wrote Pastor Rick Warren the “now-famous, concise, 13-page, single-spaced” letter outlining the vision God had given John for Celebrate Recovery. After reading John’s letter, Pastor Rick said, “Great, John — go do it!”

On the first night, 43 people attended, and Celebrate Recovery was born. Beginning with only four Open Share Groups — Men’s and Women’s Chemical Dependency and Men’s and Women’s Codependency — the ministry has grown to over 14 groups today. Over 27,000 people have gone through the program at Saddleback Church. Many of them are now serving in Celebrate Recovery and the Church. Celebrate Recovery is the number one outreach ministry at Saddleback Church, with over 70 percent of its members now coming from outside the church.

The first 10 years were the birth stage of Celebrate Recovery, and now God is calling us to take it to the world. There are now 35,000 Celebrate Recovery churches around the world, and that number continues to grow. We are part of a movement that is bringing the healing power of Jesus Christ to the hurting and broken through working Celebrate Recovery’s Step Studies, The Journey Begins, and The Journey Continues. To date, over 5 million individuals have completed a Step Study.

In addition, Celebrate Recovery is not just growing in churches, but in recovery houses, rescue missions, universities, and prisons around the world. New Mexico was the first state to adopt Celebrate Recovery into its state prison system and now has Celebrate Recovery pods in all its state prisons. In August 2004, Celebrate Recovery was announced as California’s state-approved substance abuse program for prisons. This is an exciting and growing outreach opportunity for every Celebrate Recovery.

We are a part of something much larger than one church’s Celebrate Recovery. We are part of a movement in that God is a blessing.

-CelebrateRecovery.com

CR @ Bright Light

We are excited about the launch and hopeful for the progression of CR here at Bright Light. Since September of 2022, we will continue to hold a weekly CR meeting on Sunday nights rain or shine. Bright Light is dedicated to having our doors open on Sunday nights and we also understand the need to have a meeting place available. These nights begin with a worship service, then a testimony or lesson, to finally break off into small groups.

All who are struggling with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups are welcome. Childcare will be provided. If you need more info, please feel free to connect with Pastor Gabe at pastorgabeblc@gmail.com