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In the summer of 2005, theeffect was what we were lovingly calling a guerrilla faith community--one that popped up all over South Orange County, CA: meeting Sunday mornings in the living room of one family, bible studying in the living room of another, directing a weekly recovery service at one local church, while our worship band played at various "hard copy" churches and other venues across South County for worship services, gatherings, and other events. We were led by a pastor and ministerial leaders from several churches in the area, and the common thread among us was a driving desire to know truth through Jesus, and through him, true spiritual recovery and transformation.
In our passion for working for people in the midst of alcohol and substance abuse recovery, and in our growing conviction that everyone is recovering from something that is holding them back from full spiritual transformation, we began laying plans for a full-service, spiritually-centered treatment facility. The concept was to build a vibrant recovery ministry that would build its own faith community almost as a by product of its work.
When it became obvious that the regulation and costs of starting such a facility would put our goals out several years, we decided to build on our guerilla community first and begin gathering a faith community that also had passion for spiritual recovery.
- in May, 2007, we began regular Sunday Gatherings at a facility on the docks of Dana Point Harbor
- in August, 2007, we began Tuesday Recovery Gatherings also at the Harbor
- in October of 2008, we moved into our own facility in San Juan Capistrano as the need and desire for more weekly events and gatherings had grown with us
By January of 2009, theeffect had a full weekly schedule of activities from Sunday morning gatherings to Monday night young adult worship, Tuesday night recovery gatherings, Wednesday night faith and life discussion groups, Saturday night young adult arts and culture events, weekly AA meetings, women's bible studies, musical worship gatherings, and now even prayer walks. New gatherings, studies, and events began as people with the specific passion and skills showed up to lead them. We'd like to say we meant all this, but in reality, much of it has been driven by people driven by Spirit, showing up in our midst and making decisions almost foregone conclusions.
Now, as we near our second anniversary of regular Sunday gatherings, we are set to launch our first recovery facility that will begin to bring us full circle to the original vision. But now, two years later, there are many in our community with the skills and passion to help make the recovery ministry really sing: we have certified pastoral and lay counselors, certified intervention specialists, certified drug and alcohol specialists and counselors, life skills instructors, sober house directors, and many others who can bring theeffect of God's love and effective treatment and programs to those we serve. In addition, theeffect is launching a ministry school that will further prepare those who wish to serve in various capacities in recovery, counseling, teaching, mentoring, and the pastorate.
What's next? We'd like to say we know...and we do have plans, but we'll be waiting to see who shows up before finalizing anything.
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