Does Recovery Matter?
Does Recovery Matter?
When I first heard the name “Champion Recovery Community” I was sort of at a loss for what that name really meant. Yes, I picked up on recovery and that it was a community effort, but that was about it. When I was asked to pray about joining the CRC Board, I did and I thought, “Yes!!!” I’m going to pray with and witness to women in crisis. I thought this was the reason The Lord had burdened my heart for women, so I joined the CRC Board. Shortly after joining, I realized that it wasn’t the fact that I am a teacher nor a ladies ministry leader, it was because I had experience in fundraising and marketing. The Lord and I had a LONG discussion, but what He reminded me of were my own words, “Lord, lead me to a place to serve, to be Your hands and feet, to show those women and families who are hurting that You love them and want to make them whole through You”. He answered my prayer with putting me in the place to do just that, but it wasn’t working directly with these women, but to use my skillset to create an opportunity for those He has called to CRC to do the work He has been so faithful to foster.
In my lifetime I have walked with different people, from family to friends, through recovery and it’s a tough long road; however, I had no idea what I would discover through the eyes of Champion Recovery Community. What I see is a woman who directs this mission with a heart for those hurting. Women who think they will never be more than the hurtful words spoken over them as they crash one last time. I see women who are foreigners to crisis, drugs, prostitution and co-dependency along with all of the bad behaviors that accompanies it and give of their time, talent and treasure by getting trained, commit to meeting weekly and one-on-one with these courageous women. I have witnessed a board praying and crying out to God to supply our needs while sharing with everyone we meet to support this effort in our community.
I’ve come to a place in my service asking myself, “Why does recovery matter?” I know it sounds so incredibly simple and almost insulting, but as I pray and ask The Lord to provide resources, I need to know the “why”. Seriously, if as president I don’t know exactly why, then how can I lead an entire organization whose sole existence is recovery? The Holy Spirit reminded me of His Words, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3. This is the message we at Champion Recovery Community believe is possible for every woman who enters our program. You see, we all have had our hearts broken, and we have all been wounded, but some of us have tried in every sort of way to bind our own broken heart: some with drug addiction; some with prostitution; and some with depending on others that do us harm. Still yet there are others with physical wounds accompanied by the deepest scars that never heal from the poison inside oozing out again and again, resulting in mental and emotional wounds that keep us bound and unable to completely heal.
As a faith-based initiative we teach, reflect and trust that God is The Great Physician who heals us physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and relationally. It is because we believe this that we touch those whom society wants to give up on. We believe that God is able to turn their lives around and make them a new creation. We believe that these women can become a productive member of society with rewarding work, positive self-esteem and living a life free from the evils that have them bound up. We have seen families reconciled and relationships made whole. We have seen promotions in the workplace, and renewed goals of furthering education. Doesn’t this sound incredible? It is!! But here in lies the caveat, we can’t do it by ourselves. We need partners. We need volunteers who will serve through their experience. We need people who will pray for our mission. We need people who will give monetarily, constantly and sacrificially. We need churches to partner with us and share the message of hope through recovery. Recovery in our community benefits us all. Folks, we have a crisis in our own backyard, its time to stop burying our heads in the dirt and step up to make our community a better place. No family is immune from drug addiction, it can happen to anyone regardless of class, wealth or position. No family is immune from crisis, just glance over the latest news. No community or church is unaffected by those who have suffered trauma. I’m making a plea, PLEASE, join us in the battle for our community. The jails are full; the foster care program doesn’t have enough homes for children affected by families suffering from these ills; and our courts are at a loss as to what to do to stop the bleeding. We know the solution, His name is Jesus, and as a mission guided on Biblical Principles, we are asking you to step up and join Champion Recovery Community as we take back our community, our women in crises, our families in crisis and declare we are CHAMPIONS OF RECOVERY IN OUR COMMUNITY because recovery matters!
Respectfully Shared,
Wendy Barrett
CRC Board President