Every Thursday at 7 p.m., at the Bethany Church on Fifth and Walnut streets in Catasauqua, there is an open meeting, welcoming newcomers and regular attendees with a meal and fellowship. People familiar with the Celebrate Recovery program break off into discussion groups and newcomers get a briefing on how the program works.

The success of people-focused recovery programs is legendary, with numerous graduates and leaders attesting to the change these programs have made in individual lives. Scotty Coyle, Director of Outreach, and Pastor Michael Byrd started Celebrate Recovery at the Bethany Church about a year ago.

"We will graduate our first class in March," Coyle told The Press.

"Although Celebrate Recovery is nondenominational, it is a Christ-based program," said Byrd.

According to Byrd, the program began in 1990 when Pastor John Baker presented the idea to Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, an evangelical Christian megachurch in Lake Forest, Calif.

In the ensuing years, the basics of the program have changed little from the original concept. Today, leaders follow a structured program that adheres to eight principles, essentially updated versions of the Eight Beatitudes portrayed in the Bible from the Sermon on the Mount.

"We recite the eight principles at every meeting," said Don Koch, one of the local leaders.

The Thursday meetings follow a routine of a welcome dinner, a short service after which repeat attendees adjourn to discussion groups.

"The procedure in discussion groups is regimented and the discussion leaders must follow a set of rules," said Koch. "There is no attempt in the groups to 'fix' anyone. Other people in the group are there for support."

The Thursday night programs lead to focused discussions called step studies that address specific "hurts, habits, or hangups" that need to be explored further.

"People in step studies tell us all the time that someone sharing in the group opened their eyes to a problem that they had tried to resolve," said Koch.

The program is not solely beneficial to those with alcohol or drug addiction.

"We have a whole range of topics to discuss. But, some people are in our program are also in drug or alcohol programs. What we find is that graduates of one program often gravitate to another program as they continue to improve their well-being," Byrd said.

Anonymity and confidentiality are keys to the process. One thing has changed based on feedback from early groups.

"We have pamphlets for specific focus areas. When we started, they were all different colors, but that caused some discomfort. Now everything is the same color to protect anonymity," Coyle said.

"Everyone makes an agreement to not reveal anything that was said during a discussion group,"Byrd said.

Step studies last 25 weeks, but after seven sessions, no additional members can join an in-progress group.

The general sessions are free.

"Sometimes we get people to come in for the meal and then skip out before the service begins," Coyle said. "We accept that it happens."

Once a member starts on the step studies, a manual and a notated Bible reference are used in the discussion groups. There is a cost for the program materials. Each participant selects a support team to keep them motivated and goal-focused between meetings.

Celebrate Recovery is an international movement. Different testimonials played at the general session provide evidence that the program works in transforming people's lives.

"The program is provided to prisoners. One county requires all drivers arrested for intoxication to participate in Celebrate Recovery. They claim good results," Byrd said. "We would like to see the local police require it here."

Coyle asks that people try it out and see if there is a personal benefit.

"No one here is trying to fix anything," he said. "You just need to give the program a chance to work."