'We've seen it work': Monroe couple leading new Celebrate Recovery program
MONROE — RayQuan and Annabeth Cunningham of Missouri came to Monroe to help people recover.
“We came for a visit at the end of March of 2023. We went to Gracepoint and met the pastors (Andrew and Andrea Leaman) there. They told us about the community and that people struggle with drugs, suicide. Andrea Leaman is a chaplain with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office,” RayQuan Cunningham said. “We packed up everything. We drove 10 hours up here. We moved here the first week of August. We came here to help out the church. Our main priority is getting Celebrate Recovery off the ground here.”
At 5:30 p.m. April 18, after months of planning, the couple is launching Celebrate Recovery at Gracepoint Church, 2535 N. Monroe St., near Mall Road. The free program aims to help people of all ages through all types of vices and issues.
“It’s not just for alcohol or drugs; it’s for anxiety, depression, fear, anger, etc.,” Cunningham said. “We’re super excited.”
Gracepoint’s CR will meet in person the first and third Thursdays of each month and as a podcast the second and fourth Thursdays. A free meal will be provided from 6-6:30 p.m. at in-person gatherings. CR also will include a lesson or testimony and then small groups will meet.
Celebrate Recovery is a national program.
“It’s based in California. It’s a really big program,” Cunningham said. Chapters meet in churches, prisons and other locations. Monroe County churches have offered CR through the years. Currently, the next closest group is about 30 minutes away, Cunningham said.
The Cunninghams started a CR group when they lived in Missouri.
“We’ve seen it work. It’s a blessing for the community,” said Cunningham, who works remotely as a human resources manager. His wife is a nanny. The couple has two young children.
At the CR meetings, attendees will be divided into age groups. The adults will likely have men’s and women’s small groups.
“Everyone will have time to share. All is confidential,” Cunningham said. “People will share what they’ve been through because other people may need to hear that. We are building this community and coming together. You can get the help you need. You can sit down and talk to someone and celebrate recovery.”
The Landing is a CR group for youths ages 12-17 and will be led by Anna Schlupp and Devin Higganbotham. Celebration Place is for children ages 5-11 and is led by Henna Higganbotham. Kirstynn Krupp is the worship leader.
Cunningham has learned there’s a need for children’s CR groups.
“We saw it in Missouri; parents were coming with habits and hangups. Their kids are also dealing with it. The kids don’t have an outlet. We give kids an outlet for the night,” he said.
The Cunninghams led a Landing group in Missouri.
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“We had basketball, soccer. They were laughing and playing. It was fun for them. It changed the lives of these kids. Some of the things our kids are dealing with in schools and home, it will shock you,” Cunningham said. “This is a consistent thing. It’s an outlet for kids to come and have fun."
Cunningham began training volunteer CR helpers in January. In addition to using the leadership book, the helpers also went through the CR program themselves.
“They took a crash course,” Cunningham said.
He’s hoping Gracepoint’s CR will outgrow the church building.
“Our church holds about 150 people. I want to get to a point where people all over this community (attend), and we have to find a new building because we can’t hold all the people. I want people to go to Celebrate Recovery. When Thursday comes around, they can get their family around and talk, laugh, have fun, meet other couples and share what’s on their hearts," he said.
To learn more, visit gracepointupc.org/celebrate-recovery.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 'We've seen it work': Monroe couple leading new Celebrate Recovery program
