My husband, Keith, has led Recovery Church in Wellington for five years. And so, reading about its origins in this edition, I am immensely thankful for Kevin and Merilyn Goldsack’s obedience to God’s vision for this remarkable community!
Every Recovery Church has its own flavour. In Wellington, probably over half are clients on the nearby addiction treatment programme, along with a few ‘graduates’ (with a wide catchment area, many return home to other parts of the lower North Island), and regulars from Wellington South Corps (church) in Newtown, which hosts the Thursday night gathering.
This corps support is invaluable! John is there every week, working the sound desk, chatting to clients and looking out for them on Sundays and at some of the corps’ ‘bridging events’. Steve is a soldier at Wellington South and a past graduate who sings in the music team and passes out the weekly awards. Most importantly, Steve shares of himself. He’s supported by new wife Karen, who has her own powerful recovery story to tell.
Joan, a retired widow, has the gift of encouragement. When Joan prays, God listens! Pianist Neil comes when work allows and gently welcomes clients into the music team. Carole, who is also on staff at the rehab centre, sings beautifully and also helps any newbies feel included.
Others from around Wellington play their part, including Jocelyn, who attends with cute dog in tow, a great icebreaker. Guest speakers contribute their wisdom, including popular regulars Karl Foreman, Joe Serevi and Ferrell Irvine.
Last week, a graduate returned to celebrate nine months of sobriety after 35 years of drugging and drinking. He’d spent seven stints in prison and was suicidal when he turned to The Salvation Army for help. ‘Every day’s a blessing for me now!’ he said. His first words on walking through the door were: ‘Recovery Church is like coming home.’ Thank God for that!
Christina Tyson
Editor
1 Corinthians 6:12 Contemporary English Version
‘Some of you say, “We can do anything we want to.” But I tell you that not everything is good for us. So I refuse to let anything have power over me.’
1 Koriniti 6:12
‘He tika ngā mea katoa māaku, otirā e kore e pai katoa. He tika ngā mea katoa māku, otirā e kore ahau e pai ki tētahi mea hei rangatira mōku.’