Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Jason Still stands amongst Celebrate Recovery members as they depict how Celebrate Recovery has helped them.
Clarence Elledge shares his testimony alongside his wife, Donna, at Celebrate Recovery’s 15-year anniversary ceremony.
Hagood Avenue Baptist Church Worship Pastor Scott Brown receives his 10-year Celebrate Recovery Chip.
Celebrate Recovery has been a valued ministry at Hagood Avenue Baptist Church for 15 years, but the organization's Barnwell chapter may not continue without more volunteers.
“We are so grateful for 15 years,” said Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader Amber Still. “I want to see it go into 2023, but we can't do it without help.”
October 2022 marked 15 years since Celebrate Recovery (CR) began at the church, and Still is concerned it may not make it to next year.
“If you want CR to continue in this church, we have to have help,” said Still, who has been running the program with her husband and fellow ministry leader, Jason Still.
On November 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary at Hagood Avenue Baptist Church, the Stills are holding a meeting open to any interested volunteers to learn more about the mission of CR.
To honor the 15-year anniversary, CR members shared both cardboard and spoken testimonies, and handed out membership coins during Hagood Avenue Baptist Church’s Sunday service on Oct. 23.
The first song of the service was the CR anthem, “Road to Recovery,” to honor this occasion.
Before CR Ministry leaders Jason and Amber Still took to the podium, the Stills alongside other CR members walked one-by-one across in front of the filled pews holding a sign detailing their own hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
They then turned the signs to show how they are healing and their accomplishments made possible through CR. Jason then held a mirror to those in the crowd asking them to reflect on their own hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
CR meetings at Hagood Avenue Baptist Church, and the many other nation-wide locations CR operates, are open to anyone dealing with a hurt, a habit, or a hang-up, regardless of what it might be. The ministry is meant to be a wealth of support for anyone struggling with any issue, encapsulated in the phrase ‘hurts, habits, and hang-ups.’
CR member Clarence Elledge then shared his story alongside his wife, Donna, detailing the impact CR has had on his life.
Elledge shared his struggles with alcoholism and how finding a support network in his wife and through CR changed his life.
“CR is a place I can’t live without,” said Elledge, who refers to the organization, regardless of location, as a home.
“If I wouldn’t have gone to CR, I wouldn't be the person I am today,” said Ellegde.
Elledge received his 15-year membership coin after sharing his testimony. The Stills handed out 10-year and 15-year membership coins along with a stress ball to three dedicated members.
The Stills hope to continue CR in Barnwell County, but need the help of volunteers to maintain the program that “heals families,” according to Amber.
“I hope to see people ready to help on Nov. 13,” she said.
To keep up with Celebrate Recovery meetings and events, visit ‘Celebrate Recovery, Barnwell’ on Facebook.
