04/24/2026
Here is the article that was printed in the Adams Times Reporter about our Learn More- Get Started meeting on April 27th at 6:30 at Lakes Area Christian Church, 1167 Alpine Dr, Nekoosa/ Rome, WI 54457
Celebrate Recovery-Learn More And Get Started
By Theresa David
On Monday, April 27, at 6:30 pm Lakes Area Christian Fellowship Church located at 1167 Alpine Drive, Nekoosa (Rome) will be hosting a Round Table Meeting for Celebrate Recovery, Rome WI. Celebrate Recovery (CR) is an interdenominational recovery program which is gaining momentum in Wisconsin. Founded in the 1990's as a Christ-centered ministry where people could find "freedom and healing from their hurts, hang-ups and habits" it has become a national ministry. Christie Peitzmeir, a facilitator for Celebrate Recovery said, "this program started in Los Angeles with Pastor John Baker and Pastor Rick Warren. John Baker was an AA [Alcoholic Anonymous] participant and he developed this faith-based program which deals with underlying issues such as trauma. It is an 'umbrella' approach for trauma, abuse, and emotional immaturity due to coping with the underlying issues." Christie compared these underlying issues to a "mound of snow after it melts; underneath there is a 'mess'." She said when people come to CR the "snow is melting and the 'mess' is appearing." Not only is Christie a facilitator, but she is also a participant. She has made connections with other in recovery and is passionate about starting the Rome.
Another facilitator for Celebrate Recovery in Rome is Pastoral Assistant Mark Groth at Lakes Area Christian Fellowship. Mark and his wife Connie have been chaplains for the National Hot Rod Association. Mark said, "This is Christianity 101, it is faith-based and specific church based; a person does do not have to have a faith history to attend."
Participants should be age 18 or older to attend as the material in the program is oriented towards adults, and participants can be any adult, even senior citizens. The format is similar to AA as it has the 12-steps "structured and action-oriented steps to achieve and maintain sobriety, admitting powerlessness, seeking help from a higher power, making amends, and helping others"; and it has the Serenity Prayer. It consists of coffee and fellowship, a large group portion, music, and then a gender specific small support group portion. Anyone who desires a new way of managing life should consider attending CR.
The small group leaders are not therapists, and they teach from the CR lesson book. Mark said, "we are prescribing the medicine of the Gospel."
The meeting on Monday, the 27th will be an informational meeting to find out what CR is about, connect with leaders and participants, and to find out what to expect going forward with CR. The meeting will feature a CR-WI representative who will speak about how the program works at the local level and throughout the state. Leaders and participants form the Wisconsin Rapids CR group will be there as well. Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids has a CR group on Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm.
Going forward, leaders for the small groups will be in a year-long training to learn about how to navigate a small group and will be taught how to guide others and how to focus participants on recovery. Mark said, "we are a community of Christ, so this isn't an outreach for our church in particular, but it is a place to come for training and participation in Celebrate Recovery. We are excited to have this training here."
Celebrate Recovery, Rome WI is a nondenominational recovery program in partnership with Love Inc, whose mission is to help churches support people in need in our local communities.
No registration is needed. CR is an anonymous and confidential recovery meeting. No matter the hurt, pain, or struggle, anyone is welcome. Participants are free to share or not to share inside the support groups. All groups are open to anyone who desires change, but anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. Inspired or curious about what it might mean to help launch and lead a CR chapter in Rome? Contact Lakes Area Christian Fellowship at (715) 325-5475 or.
