Awaken Recovery
Awaken Recovery is a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, 12-step recovery program designed so you can overcome addiction and find lasting freedom through an authentic relationship with Jesus.
Who We Are
- 1. We believe Jesus is our higher power.
- 2. We use spiritual deliverance to reach freedom.
- 3. We speak life with our words.
We believe Jesus is our higher power.
The 12 Steps are, in their nature, a clear life-practice for Christian repentance – head change and heart change that leads to permanent life change. Awaken Recovery believes that Jesus is our only higher power, and we find freedom through these God-focused and God-powered practices.
We use spiritual deliverance to reach freedom.
Oftentimes there are mental and emotional issues and traumas underlying the physical addiction to a substance or behavior. Awaken Recovery works in partnership with the Pastoral Care team at Awaken Church to bring deliverance and healing from the oppressive spiritual forces at work in the life of the addicted person to our members.
We speak life with our words.
Like Proverbs 18:21 says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (NKJV). In Recovery, it’s common to chain yourself to an identity that’s different than the freedom the Bible promises in Christ. For that reason, we don’t identify as our problem. Instead, you’ll hear our members who have gone through the 12-step process and are living in freedom say, “I’m a recovered alcoholic” or, “I’m a recovered addict.” Those who are actively going through the process will say “I’m overcoming alcoholism,” or “I’m overcoming addiction.”
A Note From Morgan & Mark
Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. Congratulations on your decision to face what you’ve been struggling with. We know that true freedom and permanent recovery are possible for you. Our own testimonies and over 33 years of combined sober recovery prove that.
Whether you are new to the recovery process, or have tried before to overcome the things that’ve been keeping you in bondage, we’re here for you. We want to assure you from the beginning that:
- You are not alone.
- We are here for you.
- God is for you.
He will never leave you or forsake you, and we look forward to walking this road to recovery with you, may God bless you in this journey.
– Ps. Morgan Ervin & Mark Gagarin
How It Works
We hold weekly testimony-based meetings as well as workshops to guide our members through our Christ-centered 12-step process to break free from addiction and addictive habits. If you are seeking medical detox or professional services please refer to the following professional services we recommend:
Detox & Rehab Resources
Weekly Meetings
Our weekly meetings are free and open to the public. Each meeting starts with prayer and worship, followed by one to three speakers who share testimonies, insights, wisdom and practical application of God’s truth to your recovery.
Recovery members who have completed the step being discussed are invited to share for a few minutes on that topic and other attendees are invited to ask questions. The meeting closes with prayer.
- Sundays at 7pm at El Cajon Campus
- Mondays at 6:30pm at Salt Lake City Campus
- Mondays at 7pm at San Marcos Campus
- Tuesdays at 7pm at Balboa Campus
Follow us on Instagram to find out the latest about where and when we are meeting.
12 Step Workshop
Workshops are taught by experienced members and run for 15 weeks. Each week requires assignments that build upon each other. New members are paired up with experienced members as they go through the process to gain freedom.
View the Workshop Layout
Steps 1-3, The Foundation:
Acceptance of the problem, and turning it over to God for salvation. Making the decision to turn your thinking and life over to the care and direction of God.
Steps 4-9, The Program of Action:
Inner confession followed by an outer process of restitution to those we have harmed.
Steps 10-12, Deepening Relationship with God:
Mastering daily living that honors and glorifies God and grows us spiritually. We also move forward in sharing the freedom available through God to others.
“And [Jesus] awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 (ESV)
For most addicts and alcoholics, life seems like one continuous series of storms: storms of the body, storms of the mind, storms of 10 the emotions, and storms of the spirit. To walk in the complete freedom that Jesus died to give us we must go through four stages of healing: becoming spiritually sober, restoring our physical health, gaining mental well-being, and addressing underlying emotional problems and trauma from the past.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT)
We are convinced that giving God a little of our lives won’t provide the change that we need, that we really need to surrender every area to Him. God isn’t just going to be our last resort that we call on in an emergency, He is given a leadership role in our lives and we choose to trust in His promises.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT)
No sane person intentionally destroys their lives, but the internal unmanageability which provided fertile ground for the insanity, which gave way to the physical powerlessness showed us that it wasn’t bad intentions that got us to the point where we needed a Power greater than ourselves if we were to live, it was a lack of power to carry out our best laid plans, and our best intentions.
FAQs
Who is Awaken Recovery for?
Awaken Recovery is for anyone looking to achieve lasting personal, relational, and spiritual freedom from addiction, whether it be alcohol, drugs, or emotional unmanageability (e.g. codependency, love/sex addiction, pornography). We encourage family members affected by addiction and dysfunctional behaviors to attend, as well.
How does Awaken Recovery work?
We have weekly meetings at four of our Awaken Church Campuses.
- Sundays at 7pm at El Cajon Campus
- Mondays at 6:30pm at Salt Lake City Campus
- Mondays at 7pm at San Marcos Campus
- Tuesdays at 7pm at Balboa Campus
We also work through the steps in a Workshop format two times a year. If you would like to join us, text ‘AwakenRecovery’ to 55525 for all meeting details.
What makes Awaken Recovery different from AA or NA?
We define our higher power as Jesus and provide a unique Christ-centered and Spirit-filled 12 step program that incorporates worship and prayer while going through the steps. We also incorporate Water Baptism, Deliverance and Baptism of the Holy Spirit into the recovery process so that members not only get set free, but are empowered to live in permanent freedom.
Do I need to be a member of Awaken Church to attend Awaken Recovery?
No, you do not. All you need to do to start attending is text ‘AwakenRecovery’ to 55525.
Does Awaken Recovery sign slips?
We do sign slips in our in-person weekly meetings.
