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Greetings,
My name is Reverend Ed LaRocque, Pastor of the 'Downtown Celebrate Recovery'.
Let me tell you about myself and our group:
In 1993 while attending services at Christ Church United Methodist I had this overwhelming spiritual experience to serve. After service I approached the senior pastor Dick Wills
(now Bishop Wills) and told him of my experience. We discussed my background including leading meetings with AA for over 20 years and trying to help other alcoholics and drug addicts. He shared that the church had been looking for someone with my background to start a ministry called Celebrate Recovery. A Ministry started at Saddleback Church by Reverend Rick Warren.
Saddleback Church started in 1991 in Mission Viejo, Ca. with senior pastor Rick Warren
(Author of 'The Purpose Driven
Life', and 'The Purpose Driven
Church' and several other
books). A year later a member of the Saddleback named John Baker was asked to develop a Recovery Ministry and developed Celebrate Recovery. Saddleback Church has currently grown to a membership of over 15,000, and John is currently serving as Pastor of Ministries, staffing over 150 ministries.
I was sent to Saddleback for training and met with Rick Warren and John Baker. I have also made two more trips back to Saddleback for additional training. When I returned I was serving under Jay Kowalski as a spiritual leader and
Jorge Acevedo, as our backup minister. Jay was a great asset to the ministry, and a great help in organizing and working with the leaders as well as giving a majority of the lectures. Both Jay and Jorge now have their own Churches. Jorge has a large Celebrate Recovery ministry at his present Grace Church.
In 1994 I enrolled in
Calvary Chapel Bible College part time nights and graduated in May 2001 where I received an Associates Degree in Theology.
In 1995 I had many nights of reoccurring dreams I believe were led by God to start a Celebrate Recovery in the downtown area for everyone including those unchurched or homeless. The dreams also kept repeating the
Salvation Army. I approached Major Ken Luyk, and he agreed it would be a great program for them to include especially for their own people. He offered the use of their fellowship hall for our Ministry.
In June 2001 I was ordained at the
First Christian Church of Wilton Manors by Dr. John Stauffer.
November 2007, as one door closes another opens. We are now in a new
location at NorthStar Community Church. Their staff and congregation
has welcomed our ministry with open arms.
Our Celebrate Recovery group is not exclusively part of any one church. Our leaders are from all different denominations. We currently provide men and women's groups with six group leaders, 3 co-leaders and six musicians and singers for our Praise Music.
Thank You for your interest, and I hope you get the opportunity to stop by and visit us.
May God Bless You,
Reverend Ed LaRocque
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