Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
Every Monday night at First Baptist Church in Bossier City, something powerful happens. Behind the walls of worship halls and classrooms, stories of brokenness begin to turn into testimonies of hope. Through Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered, biblically based recovery program, lives are being restored—one heart at a time.
Rooted in the teachings of Jesus—specifically the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount—Celebrate Recovery is not just a 12-step program. It’s a spiritual journey that acknowledges human brokenness and the healing power of God’s grace. Each step is tied to a biblical truth, such as “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3) and “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
“We’re here to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ with everyone who walks through our doors,” said Donna Johnson, receptionist and parishioner at First Bossier. “Our goal is for every person to receive healing, joy and peace from the hurts, habits and hang-ups that keep us stuck in cycles of pain.”
Celebrate Recovery at First Bossier is more than a ministry—it’s a family. From the moment participants arrive at 5:30 p.m., they are welcomed with a name badge and a warm meal. After dinner, a large-group gathering begins. The service includes heartfelt testimonies, recovery lessons and opportunities for prayer and spiritual guidance.
And if someone is ready to make the most important decision of their life—accepting Christ—they are invited to do so on the spot. Those seeking baptism don’t have to wait; the church is prepared with warm water, scrubs and towels to celebrate new life in Christ immediately.
“Everyone is loved and accepted here,” Johnson said. “We’re like one big family you never knew existed. We pray together, walk beside one another and celebrate victories big and small.”
While many know Celebrate Recovery as a program for overcoming addiction, First Bossier’s group supports people facing a wide range of struggles: codependency, grief, anxiety, pornography, trauma and more. As Johnson puts it, “If you’re breathing, there’s a place for you here.”
Small groups, divided by gender and issue, provide a safe and confidential space to share, process and grow. Leaders—many of whom are graduates of the program—guide participants through honest conversations and deep healing. Step studies on Wednesday nights offer a deeper dive into the recovery process in a tight-knit, consistent group.
The fruit of Celebrate Recovery is best seen in its people. Johnson is one of them. Twelve years ago, she was deep in addiction, broken and alone. She had lost custody of her children, her parents had passed away, and she was consumed with shame.
But then came recovery—and Jesus.
“I am not the same girl who walked into Celebrate Recovery 12 years ago,” she said. “Today, I love the Lord, I hold my head high and I walk in freedom. Christ has healed relationships with my children and given me strength I never thought I had.”
The ministry is filled with stories like hers:
- Jennie, once incarcerated, is now a hospital counselor, married and raising two children with her husband, Dwayne—also a Celebrate Recovery graduate.
- D’Anna rose from homelessness and jail to stability, employment and a promising future in the music industry.
- Sabrina, initially unable to join due to drug use, stayed connected through weekly testing and eventually became a leader in the church’s children’s ministry. She’s now an assistant manager and newly married.
- Joseph, once bound by addiction and anger, stood strong in faith as he walked through the loss of his father—now celebrating marriage and fatherhood while building a successful career.
Celebrate Recovery fits perfectly into First Bossier’s mission to reach hurting people with the healing love of Jesus Christ. It’s a place where faith meets action, and where the broken find belonging.
“This program is for everyone,” Johnson emphasized. “Churches need to be a place where people can bring their real struggles. Celebrate Recovery gives them the steps, the community and the Savior to find real freedom.”
Celebrate Recovery at First Bossier runs on volunteer support. From cooking meals to helping with child care to leading small groups, there are countless ways to serve. And for those nervous about attending for the first time?
“Just try it,” Johnson said with a smile. “You can sit with me.”
For more information, contact First Bossier or attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting at the church on Monday nights beginning at 5:30 p.m. Child care is available, and everyone is welcome—because everyone is in recovery from something, and healing begins with Jesus.