A group in Winkler is reaching out to those struggling in almost any way.

Recovery Winkler is a Christian-based 12 step program for anyone with a hurt, habit, or hang up. The group is anonymous and completely confidential.

Ministry Leader and Program Facilitator, Sheri Unrau said the Recovery Winkler group offers weekly "open share groups" for both men and women. Unrau said if someone wants to go through the Celebrate Recovery 12 step program, they will help facilitate it, however, a one year commitment is needed.  

Unrau explains what a meeting would look like.

Unrau said Celebrate Recovery is really for any struggle, from eating disorders, financial recovery, food addiction, gambling addiction, freedom from anger, love and relationship addictions, as well as anybody who's dealt with physical, emotional and sexual abuse, self injury, or forgiveness. "As long as you follow the steps and the principles, you can gain freedom from anything that you're struggling with," said Unrau.

"We have people that come that have anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, people who are dealing with fear, guilt, or shame, as well as loss. That was something I was dealing with," said Unrau.  "I had lost my dad about 11 years ago and I hadn't really grieved." She said Celebrate Recovery was instrumental in helping her walk through that.

Unrau said there is definitely a need in our community for this kind of outreach. "Pastor John Baker, who is the founder of Celebrate Recovery, said we are all broken, we have all sinned, and we all miss the mark.  We all struggle with a hurt, habit, or hang-up." Unrau said there are so many people hurting from either what's been done to them or what they do to themselves.  

"We all need to some healing, some peace, and joy in our lives, and that's what this program has done for me personally."

Recovery Winkler meets each Thursday from 7pm to 9:20pm in the meeting room at the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church.  

The Celebrate Recovery Program is based on eight principles based on the Beatitudes.

    Realize I’m not God.  I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. (Step 1)  Coming out of denial that I could not handle my life was the important first step.  “Happy are those who know that they are spiritually poor.”  Matthew 5:3

    Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. (Step 2)  God loves me no matter what I have done in my past.  I could not fix my problems on my own.

“Happy are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.”  Matthew 5:4

    Consciously choose to commit all my life and will, to Christ’s care and control. (Step 3) It’s not a one time decision, it is day by  day and moment by moment decision to choose to commit to Christ.  Recovery is a journey.                

“Happy are the meek.”  Matthew 5:5

    Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. (Steps 4 and 5)  Confess to someone I trust - sponsor.  James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  This is where I truly experienced the healing I desired in my own recovery.

“Happy are the pure in heart.”  Matthew 5:8

    Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.  (Steps 6 and 7)

“Happy are those whose greatest desire
is to do what God requires.”  Matthew 5:6

    Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others when possible, except when to do so would harm them or others.  (Steps 8 and 9)

“Happy are the merciful.”  Matthew 5:7  
“Happy are the peacemakers.”  Matthew 5:9

    Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.          (Steps 10 and 11)

    Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and my words. (Step 12)

“Happy are those who are persecuted
because they do what God requires.”  Matthew 5:10