How to Celebrate Recovery & Write a Testimony

Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program based on Christian teachings that strives to help people overcome addiction, disorders and unhealthy habits. Since it was created in 1991 by Pastor John Baker of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, Celebrate Recovery has been established in more than 10,000 churches worldwide. More than 500,000 people have participated in the program. Before graduating from the program and being able to "celebrate recovery," individuals are required to write a personal testimony. The testimony must be 12 to 15 minutes long (about eight double-spaced typed pages), should be honest and avoid religious cliches.

Pray and ask for God to help you reflect on your answers and write a meaningful testimony.

Start your testimony with the sentence, "I'm a believer who struggles with..." and fill in your personal struggle.

Detail your life before recovery, including what your relationship with God was like, how you related to others and your previous attitude. Include circumstances that other participants might recognize and relate to in their own struggles. Tell about the moment you hit bottom.

Write about your experiences with Celebrate Recovery, including how you discovered the program, how you worked the steps and how God helped you work them. Share the recovery step that meant the most to you.

Describe yourself after the program. Talk about the parts of your old life and old habits that you have abandoned. Reveal how your relationship with God has changed. Detail the benefits the program had on your life and your problem.

Encourage new participants with stories, tips or examples that helped you through your journey.

Find one of two of your favorite Bible verses and include them in your testimony where they would have the most impact.