LARNED — A “Celebrate  Recovery” program will be started in Pawnee County starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at Glory Be in Larned. The free meeting is open to the publi.
Darin Dauner, state director  from Pratt, will explain the program and answer questions.
“We invite anyone with an interest  to attend,” said Leroy Lyon, retired pastor of the Larned Nazarene Church.  ““We encourage persons to  come regardless of their denominational preference as well as those who have no church affiliation.”
Lyon said the intent will be to establish an organization that is not affiliated with any church.
Lyon said the purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to encourage fellowship and to celebrate God’s healing power in our lives as we work through the eight recovery principles and the Christ-centered 12 steps. Lives are changed as experiences, strengths,and hopes are shared.
The highly successful program was started  in southern California in 1991, and is now being used worldwide to free people from their hurts, hang-ups,and habits.  The program  is not restricted to people struggling with addiction. It is for everyone  since we all have issues that hinder our fellowship with God and others.
Unlike other  recovery programs,Celebrate Recovery stresses the truth that Jesus Christ is the one and only “Higher Power.”
Lyon said the program is built on the New Testament principle that we don’t get well by ourselves.
“We need each other,” he said. “Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth.”