The Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ Health Ministries Department has recently completed a training of ‘Adventist Recovery – a Journey to Wholeness’, running for the entire month of October, with a group of 14 persons completing phase one of the programme. The group met twice per week; on Sundays at the Filadelfia Adventist Church from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays at the Cayman Academy canteen hall, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
At the end of this amazing, comprehensive, two-phase training, theory and practical, and working on their own individual recovery during the established period, participants will be adequately equipped to lead a training on their own. The established period runs from January to December, with weekly meetings and assignments. It is based on the ‘Twelve Steps’, adapted from the ‘Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous’. Each step is methodologically outlined with a biblical comparison text; as well as a chapter from ‘Steps to Christ’ and the Christian principle applicable.
The programme is also committed to the principles of anonymity and confidentiality, and ‘share experiences’, strength and hope in a safe place. Three groups were formed and invited to learn to follow the 12 STEPS as modified. It is a fact that when persons are in a comfortable atmosphere of Christian love, acceptance and trust, they will become more open and honest with themselves and each other, naturally in a “Safe Place” where confidentiality and anonymity are respected among themselves. At their own pace, participants have open opportunity to share their experiences, strength, and hope without ‘cross-talk’ and being judged. Above all, participants are introduced to Jesus Christ and invited to recognise Him as our highest power to make changes in our lives.
The training also included the viewing of a video, at each session, related to the various types of addictions, causes, a professional and spiritual view and perspective, treatments and supports. It also included personal testimonies from addicts who have walked their journey and recovered by ‘letting go and letting God’ do for them what they could not do for themselves—which is easier said than done!
The mission of this programme is to: ‘Promote healing and freedom from harmful practices by providing resources and training to facilitate all forms of recovery’.
ABOUT ADVENTIST RECOVERY MINISTRIES (ARMin)
It has acquired roots in the initial ‘REGENERATION PROGRAM’ by Pastor Hall Gates, transitioning into what it is today, ‘A Journey to Wholeness’, and has been an amazing blessing to many parts of the world church. The Health Ministries Department at the General Conference has placed special focus on, ‘breaking the silence on this issue right within our own church throughout the world fields’. It has also served as a means to achieve physical, mental and spiritual transformation and ‘set to play a pivotal role in modelling a grace-filled, powerful and much-needed ministry, so that we, as a church, may experience wholeness despite our brokenness’, in a practical way. We will constantly examine ourselves before God and seek Him to take full control of our circumstances, and thus, achieving total freedom.
ARMin’s BELIEF
‘Our churches need to promote healing both individually and corporately. Our churches can only be as healthy as the members who comprise them. If one of us is hurting, all of us hurt (1 Cor 12:26). Therefore, Adventist Recovery Ministries will educate church leadership around topics such as emotional healing, healthy relationships, and the process of forgiveness as well as the 12 steps programme “Journey to Wholeness”’.
This Programme is for everyone who:
- Is seeking ‘freedom from obsessive thoughts, compulsive actions, habitual behaviours and spiritual connections
- Is living with the struggles of emotional or mental health challenges: depression, mood disorders, ADHD, Bipolar…
- Is clean and sober and
- Is suffering, has a family member, or loved one who is suffering from any abuse
- Is powerless over people, places (situations) and things: mental & emotional health, cancer or other physical health
- Has a desire to stay clean and sober
- Has hope to rise above the pain and turmoil engendered by the addiction of a loved one
- Wishes to break the bondage of compulsive behaviour or other ill habits
