Ministry fully invested in mission to help Graham County
Sweetgum – In 1991, John Baker and his wife shared a vision given to John by God for a new Christ-centered ministry where people could find freedom from their hurts, hang-ups and habits.
The first night of meeting, 43 people attended and Celebrate Recovery was born.
Today, thousands of churches have joined in the program and started Celebrate Recovery Ministries around the world. Its numbers continue to grow.
In 2017, several members of Sweetgum Baptist Church in Robbinsville felt the burden for the hurt and addiction in Graham County and attended a Celebrate Recovery meeting in Blairsville, Ga. That meeting lit a spark in Graham County that continues to burn today.
Celebrate Recovery initially held its weekly meetings locally at Sweetgum Baptist Church – but today, the organization has a facility at 11 Hares Creek Road, where the Old Meadow Branch Church and other additions have become home to the program.
The Graham County Celebrate Recovery Program began under the leadership of Rev. Mike Teem, Pastor of Stecoah Baptist Church and is currently under the direction of Robbinsville resident Darrin Wiggins. Teem and several members of the group that worked to begin Celebrate Recovery still participate, leading and supporting the program.
Each week, the group gathers for a hot meal – provided by a local church or organization. The meal is followed by receiving of chips (coins) for goals met and challenges achieved. Everyone is encouraged through song and fellowship. A speaker for the evening – sometimes a pastor from a local church, sometimes a member of the group – will share their testimony and what the Lord has done for them in the program. Small groups meet to help individuals seek guidance for weekly struggles and setbacks, as well as encouragement to continue their journey to success in whatever they are struggling with.
Celebrate Recovery has come full circle in Graham County. It began as a burden for hurting members of the community, housed in a neighborhood church with volunteers.
Today, the program has a facility; a leader who has accepted the call to serve after his recovery; a board of directors who have recovered from their harmful habits and have a desire to help others; churches that show up weekly to feed and share in the service; and a loving Savior who is still healing the hurting, the addicted and the seeking.
At Aug. 18’s Celebrate Recovery meeting, Sweetgum Baptist Church fed 41 program members. The meal was followed by the presentation of chips, where members received chips from one week of sobriety to nine months clean.
Preston Phillips of Sweetgum Baptist Church brought a message and Mike Teem joined the singers from Sweetgum in a spirit-filled service.
If you or someone you love has a need – or if you would like to experience the blessing of forgiveness and encouragement – you are welcome to attend Celebrate Recovery each Monday night. The meal is served at 6 p.m., followed by service and fellowship.