A local faith-based ministry helping people fight their addictions and take back their lives.
Celebrate Recovery assists people who are struggling with a variety of things, ranging from drug and alcohol addictions to gambling and sex addictions. Trainer Tamara Madson said the ministry focuses on life’s hurts, habits, and hangups using biblical principles.
“You know things happen in our lives that bring about pain, and sometimes getting together and fellowshipping is what we need to be able to work through those things,” Madson said. “So, connection with other people in the community to be able to get that support that we need is crucial.”
Madson said mental health issues tend to lead to a variety of unhealthy addictions. Celebrate Recovery will host Unity Day Saturday to spread the word about the organization’s work.
“Unity Day is focused on teaching people about Celebrate Recovery and what is available in this ministry, and how our community members can benefit from such a ministry,” Madson said. “It teaches about life’s hurts, habits, and hangups, and how to get support for those things. And it’s just an avid resource for people who are struggling in our community to help them know they are not alone, they can get help and resources, and they are loved.”
Madson said what she is learning more often is that childhood abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and re-victimization often can cause trauma.
“That trauma needs to be healed, or it’s gonna start manifesting, which can result in unhealthy coping skills,” Madson said. “And so the biblically based 12-step program is targeted to work on those issues and through healing from Jesus, they experience that freedom.”
Madson said Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday, where people can hear testimonies on how faith has helped them overcome struggles with addiction. Madson said the great thing about Celebrate Recovery is that it is free.
“When you live in communities that have been hard-pressed, that don’t have a lot of resources, and the money is an issue, that are struggling, it’s imperative to be able to provide services that are free of charge to people who are needing that help.”
Unity Day will run from 10am-3pm at Redemption Church in Crossville. Madson said there will be speakers and testimonies, cornhole tournaments, fellowship, food, raffles, and more.
