By Christine Collier, Director NOW
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
Here it is almost fall again, and time for Resurrection Life Church to kick off the new Life Group Season of teachings, including the My New Life ‘No Other Way’ Recovery Group. The MNLN group is entering its tenth year of outreach ministry and mentorship to the addicted. The group name has changed over the years and was formally known in 2003 as “The Most Excellent Way” and later in 2006 as “New Life”. All though the name has changed the heart of the ministry has not.
The group continues on as My New Life NOW and is open to anyone seeking freedom from the need, compulsion and desire to use drugs and alcohol. Many who attend the meetings have professed to try “everything the world has to offer” before coming to the group. We believe there are three main keys to freedom (recovery) and restoration. Number One is a ‘need or desire to be free’, number Two is a ‘faith or expectation that it can happen’ and Thirdly is ‘a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” We have been blessed to teach and mentor well over two-thousand people from within our local churches, the community, local correctional facility and regional rehabilitation centers and a halfway house. The message and the ministry never get old. We truly believe ‘There can be New Life after addiction.’
We want to gladly announce with an exceeding joy the newest and second location for the MNLN group in our community. First Baptist Church of Carriere under the covering of Pastor Gary Smith began their recovery outreach using the My New Life NOW curriculum this past July. The group is lead by Samantha Guidry, a former participant of the group. Sam attended the group at Resurrection Life Church from 2004 to 2006. Sam has an awesome New Life testimony that she very openly and willingly shares within her group. They meet on Thursdays from 5:45pm till around 8pm. Anyone can join the group at any time during a semester.
The MNLN group at Resurrection Life begins on Sept. 10th at 5:45pm. All are welcome including those from within the church, the community, fresh out of rehab or jail/prison. Those on house arrest, probation, and parole or drug court are invited to attend. All that’s needed is a bible, student manual (available at group) and a good attitude. Those that complete 80% or more of the group meetings will receive a Certificate of Completion at our end of semester celebration.
The MNLN group was birthed in 2003 out of a passion and compassion for the addicted and their family. Since that time the group has grown in numbers, birthing hundreds of New Life testimonies along the way. The MNLN group became an official curriculum this past March when the Leader and Participant Manuals were published. I knew we had to do it excellently to the glory of God; and excellent it is. Now ‘My New Life NOW’ is ready to go into all the world and spread the hope, love, light, and freedom of Christ to anyone struggling with the life stealing problem of addiction.
MNLN is designed to be taught in churches, correctional facilities, rehab and halfway centers, work release programs, homeless shelters and anywhere the addicted may be found or reached. It contains all of the information and teachings needed to begin a four month long Christ centered recovery group. MNLN is a great alternative for those who are seeking a Faith based recovery group. It is so exciting to see so many churches and correctional facilities gearing up to begin their faith based recovery groups.
If your church, correctional facility, rehab/halfway/work release center etc… would like to begin a MNLN group, please see us at www.rlministry.org/mnln.html. We truly believe it is an acceptable sacrifice of the church to be the salt and light, bringing the Gospel of Christ into all (including to the addicted and imprisoned) the world.
ABOUT CHRISTINE COLLIER
(Christine Collier is the author and director of MY New Life NOW Recovery Groups. She is a wife, mother and grandmother of four. By trade she is a Registered Nurse specializing in the Operating Room. A certified Therapon Councilor and member of the Coalition Of Prison Evangelist (COPE). She also sits as a board member of the Pearl River County Ministry Association and The Lighthouse for New Life: Transitional Living Home for Women. She and her family are active in ministry and mentorship to those seeking new life after addiction. It is her mission to facilitate the church, corrections/jail ministries and other Christian organizations for teaching and mentorship using the My New Life NOW curriculum.)
