The Celebrate Recovery 12 Steps

Celebrate Recovery’s 12 steps are similar to AA’s, but the key difference is that CR is fully Christ-centered.

• AA points to a “higher power” of one’s own understanding.
• CR points directly to Jesus Christ as the true source of healing.

 
How a Meeting Works
1. Large Group

• Every Celebrate Recovery meeting begins with a large group gathering that includes worship and either a teaching or a personal testimony. A new step is taught each month, but newcomers are welcome to join at any time.

• After the large group, participants break into smaller, gender-specific groups. New members receive guidance and encouragement to help them get started.

• After small groups, everyone has the opportunity to socialize, build friendships, and strengthen connections within the CR family.

Small Group Guidelines

• A Celebrate Recovery small group is a safe and confidential place to share struggles, victories, and the journey of healing. These groups are gender-specific and issue-specific, creating an environment of honesty, accountability, and encouragement. The goal is to provide a Christ-centered space where participants can grow in freedom, hope, and healing through God’s grace.

Accountability Partners

Accountability partners are other participants you choose to walk the 12 steps with.

• They provide someone you can reach out to on difficult days. These relationships often grow into a close-knit family of mutual support. Accountability partners are here to support each other, not fix each other.

Sponsors are trusted mentors who walk alongside you in your recovery journey.

• A sponsor meets with you one-on-one for guidance, encouragement, and accountability. Every sponsor has at least one year of continuous sobriety and has completed the 12 steps. Sponsors are not counselors or therapists—they share from personal experience and point you back to Christ and the 12 steps.

Step Studies

• Celebrate Recovery also offers Step Studies, a deeper journey through the 12 steps and 8 principles. Groups of 12–15 participants meet weekly with trained leaders. Each session includes working through the CR Step Study Guides by John Baker. Step Studies take 6–9 months to complete and are life-changing.

 
Through Step Studies, participants often experience deeper healing, restored relationships, and freedom in Christ.
What CR Can and Cannot Offer

• Celebrate Recovery is not professional counseling. Leaders are not therapists, though they may share referrals if needed.
• CR does not attempt to “fix” people—recovery is a personal journey. The group provides support, accountability, and encouragement as God does the healing.

 
A Word to Newcomers

We know that walking through these doors for the first time can feel scary and overwhelming. But you’ve already taken one of the most important steps—showing up. 

Healing doesn’t happen in just one meeting. It comes as you commit, participate, and allow God to work in your life week after week. You’re not alone—we are glad you’re here, and we will walk this road together.

Contacts

Ministry Leaders for Summit Chuch

James Eiler:  j.eiler58@gmail.com (210) 464-7884
William McRea:   wjm@mcreasoft.com (210)-379-1993

Coaches
• James Smith:   jamesarthur1962@yahoo.com (210) 542-3146
• Jane Smith:   janemicheale@yahoo.com (210) 542-3145
• Linda Clark:   lindaclark0370@gmail.com (210) 288-9008

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