Spotlight Newsletter - Spring 2024
Published: February 29, 2024
Welcome to our Spotlight newsletter.
As addiction rates continue to rise, accompanied by a significant surge in individuals seeking support, many individuals battling addiction still find themselves in desperate situations. However, hope, support and freedom are within reach for those seeking help. Along with all the various addiction support groups and charities offering help, we ourselves have seen a rise in Recovery Courses starting up in various parts of the UK, offering support and resources to individuals struggling with addiction. In Spotlight, we are handing over this space to those on the front line running courses so that they can, in their own words, share their experiences and lessons learned of running the course, providing hope, support, and guidance to those in need.
In this edition of Spotlight, we hear from Richard York from St John's Church Crawley, who after starting the course in his church and seeing the impact, says, "The Recovery Course, with God's guidance, really can change communities”.
Nigel Skelsey, Founder The Recovery Course
"We love the course as do those attending, but it's in the small groups where God does His real work and the prayer team is the engine."
Crawley has a significant problem with drug and alcohol misuse and homelessness. We are situated in the town centre and are part of a social action network called Love Your Neighbour with 23 other local churches. As a church we are also aware of our brokenness and that addictions such as porn, debt and over eating are present amongst the congregation. The Recovery Course, therefore, has been a Godsend to us. We've found it incredibly easy to operate, the resources are readily available and very quickly the trust and intimacy of the small groups began to pay dividends. We promoted to our church and through the local network and have been amazed at the consistent turn out.
We have a men's group of 12 and a women's group of 6 and miraculously, everyone keeps coming back, even considering we had sessions on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Three of the men are now coming to faith and have come to Church or signed up to Alpha which starts next week. We're on Session 12 of 15 this Sunday and we're looking at going again in April as we've got more and more guests wanting to join us, but we'll probably move to Monday night so that we can provide a meal.
Key to the success has been our prayer team that has diligently supported us over the 15 weeks. We've laughed and cried together, celebrated our successes and lifted each other when we've fallen. We have developed relationships with Change Grow Live, Betel & Dame Carol Detox locally. Five of our guests are now embarked on Alpha with one due to become baptised on Easter Sunday. The need is undeniable, but the difference is the way God works through this course. Those that accept that, see their lives changed.
Richard York, Course Leader, St John's Church Crawley
"For some weeks now, I honestly feel the best way is to just get out of the way and realise that for recovery to stick, Jesus is the only saviour.”
Richard York, St John’s Church Crawley
"I found a community and with God's help I haven't drunk or smoked for 3 weeks."
Stephen’s story - Crawley
"I've been an alcoholic my whole life. Through this course, I've begun to understand why. I really can't remember the first few weeks, as I was so out of it and sick. I was drinking 18 cans a day, in trouble with the police for threatening the man who took my home and family from me. I hadn't worked in months. I began to pray for God's help. I came to church and The Recovery Course. I found a community, and with God's help, I haven't drunk or smoked for 3 weeks. I pray all the time now. Yesterday, I even sat in a pub for 4 hrs for my dad's birthday, drinking lime and soda. It's incredible the difference."
Stephen, Guest, The Recovery Course Crawley
The experience at St John’s Church Crawley is being replicated by many churches around the UK. If you think your own church may like to play a part in this exciting journey, then why not sign up for one of our free online ‘How to run The Recovery Course’ training sessions to learn more and see if it may work for you. The next training session is Saturday April 13th 10:00-12:00. More details can be found below.
This is not just another course; it is literally saving lives.
Nigel Skelsey, Founder The Recovery Course
