Calvary Church Opens Its Doors for Addiction Recovery Vigil

A religious service devoted to addiction recovery isn’t as far a stretch as it might seem at first glance.

Alcoholics Anonymous, the first 12-step program, was spiritually-based from the beginning. Founder Bill Wilson, an alcoholic, was trying to find a way to stop drinking. The time was 1930s depression-era America. Alcoholics were among the most desperate, subjected to all kinds of bizarre treatments with little hope of success.

Wilson met Dr. Bob Watson, himself an alcoholic trying to recover. The two men began adapting the work of a Christian group in England called the Oxford Group and shaping this work into a path that might free alcoholics from the compulsion to drink.

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous correlate to scriptural principles. Some of Wilson’s concepts included the thought that if he could just help one other alcoholic, perhaps he would stay sober himself. At one point, Bill W, as he is better known, despite being an agnostic, had a spiritual awakening, “a flash of white light, a liberating awareness of God.”

Today, many other recovery groups providing a “spiritual awakening” to numerous people with substance and behavioral addictions have adapted the 12 Steps. Recovery Fellowship Service brings together recovering people from many 12-step programs including AA, Gamblers Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous, Al-Anon, and others.

A typical Saturday night at finds a service full of lively music, laughter and fun. The testimonies are inspirational and the short message applies to right where we live. Afterward there is an open Coffee Café until 9 p.m. The third Saturday there is a dinner. Children enjoy the brand new Children’s service and the adults can go for coffee during the service.

“We build an atmosphere where there is genuine freedom to worship God as we understand Him, all the while sharing about a God that chooses me,” said Ron Ovitt, executive pastor at Calvary Church. "People learn to return to joy from painful emotions, begin to have hope for life and find deep friendships. Recovery Fellowship Service is a shelter from the storm for those who are living a life in recovery.

“We provide a non-judgmental, multi-denominational worshiping experience, a safe place for fellowship with people who will understand our struggles, and a place where we can humbly worship,” Ovitt said.

The first Recovery Fellowship Service will be held 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan 14.

For more information about Calvary Church's Support Ministry, look for contact information on the church's webpage.