Copyright © 2007
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By Arnold Williams Copyright © 2007
Please share your story on Spirituality with us and as always, if you would like to remain anonymous, please
type anonymous in the your name field. You story will help others find their Spirituality with God.
type anonymous in the your name field. You story will help others find their Spirituality with God.
My Recovery & Spiritual life in the Journey with Calvary Baptist Church in Minneapolis
By
Arnold Williams
Over fifth-teen years ago and fresh in my recovery, I walked into Calvary church after graduating from my second
treatment program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At that time, I was more looking for a place to share my recovery plays
and build my support in my new life of being sober, other than a place of religion.
Calvary church is an older brick building with a high tower showing its name. And at the top of the tower is the church’s
bell. I still can remember days of meditation when I would be driving in the cities when I would hear the bells of Calvary
church ringing from a distance. Even now the sounds are a reminder of a church that I had learned was more than just
me fulfilling recovery goals, but a place of worship and prayers- a link to God and a Pastor who surly has done his part
to help others, myself, and others like myself in recovery find a place with God and a better way to live.
When I first walked into Calvary church I was amazed of the structure and the beautiful stained glass. The stained
glass reminded me of the mosaic of my life. Calvary is a big church and one can surly get lost in it. I remember I
asked to speak to the Pastor and his name is, Pastor Jeff. When I was introducing to him I anxiously told him my name
and that I was an alcoholic and an addict. I then quickly asked him if I could use his church to do a recovery play to
help others like myself find their life in recovery. He did not hesitate and said, “Sure, we actually have a stage. He
also told me he knew lots of people in recovery” I was excited. "A stage, the first play I have done was in treatment,
but a stage would be great!" I thought. I even felt the warm feeling of being accepted. He me showed the stage and it
was small, but there were a lot of seats and I was very excited to get started, so we sat down and scheduled the
rehearsals and the play dates.
Well, why am I sharing this story with you? Well, for a couple of reasons. One, I always heard the story in AA how the
people in religion will turn away from an alcoholic, addict, or even from someone who had lived their life in the darkside
and were searching for God or Spirituality. Two, Calvary church is a place I now call home.
What about the story I heard so many times in AA that the people who attend church will turn their backs on you, grab
their bags or even their purses, and move far away from you. I did not experience this type of behavior. Four years
ago, Pastor Jeff, had baptized me in the Mississippi river. I remember before I was baptized I had Night Terrors every
night this had went on for almost nine years of my recovery, some of the these Night terrors threw me out of bed, least
to say, it all started right after my father had passed away. Now I am very happy to say that the night terrors has been
deceased the day I was baptized. It has been over four years now and I think God for this my spiritual awakening as
now I can sleep again at night with out the fear of looking behind my back because I know God will take care of me.
Now back to the members of Calvary… well, I shared my testimony and my pain… I was accepted. I enjoyed the bible
studies and all of my time of sharing my life…and yes, I was not asked to leave nor did anyone leave in my name
sake… for I am not alone.
Home, I am a spiritual person and God is always in my heart. When I go to church I hear the beautiful music and the
spiritual prayers and it’s not all about me. For Pastor Jeff speaks of us. He speaks of the bridges and how we will get
to heaven. It kind of reminds me of the airports as we go to depart and we sit on the plane while the stewardess will
give us instructions. Well, this is what I am getting from Calvary church, instructions on how to be a servant to God, on
how to be a child of God, and how I can help others like myself. Yes, through AA I found spirituality and through
Calvary I found my home.
So my Spiritual friends, I wanted to share a piece of my spiritual journey with you and to give thanks to Pastor Jeff for
everything he has done for me and my family, also to the members of Calvary church, “Thank you for letting me know
that I am not alone and spring is on its way.”
My friends, if you so freely, please visit Calvary Church's website by click here.
By
Arnold Williams
Over fifth-teen years ago and fresh in my recovery, I walked into Calvary church after graduating from my second
treatment program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At that time, I was more looking for a place to share my recovery plays
and build my support in my new life of being sober, other than a place of religion.
Calvary church is an older brick building with a high tower showing its name. And at the top of the tower is the church’s
bell. I still can remember days of meditation when I would be driving in the cities when I would hear the bells of Calvary
church ringing from a distance. Even now the sounds are a reminder of a church that I had learned was more than just
me fulfilling recovery goals, but a place of worship and prayers- a link to God and a Pastor who surly has done his part
to help others, myself, and others like myself in recovery find a place with God and a better way to live.
When I first walked into Calvary church I was amazed of the structure and the beautiful stained glass. The stained
glass reminded me of the mosaic of my life. Calvary is a big church and one can surly get lost in it. I remember I
asked to speak to the Pastor and his name is, Pastor Jeff. When I was introducing to him I anxiously told him my name
and that I was an alcoholic and an addict. I then quickly asked him if I could use his church to do a recovery play to
help others like myself find their life in recovery. He did not hesitate and said, “Sure, we actually have a stage. He
also told me he knew lots of people in recovery” I was excited. "A stage, the first play I have done was in treatment,
but a stage would be great!" I thought. I even felt the warm feeling of being accepted. He me showed the stage and it
was small, but there were a lot of seats and I was very excited to get started, so we sat down and scheduled the
rehearsals and the play dates.
Well, why am I sharing this story with you? Well, for a couple of reasons. One, I always heard the story in AA how the
people in religion will turn away from an alcoholic, addict, or even from someone who had lived their life in the darkside
and were searching for God or Spirituality. Two, Calvary church is a place I now call home.
What about the story I heard so many times in AA that the people who attend church will turn their backs on you, grab
their bags or even their purses, and move far away from you. I did not experience this type of behavior. Four years
ago, Pastor Jeff, had baptized me in the Mississippi river. I remember before I was baptized I had Night Terrors every
night this had went on for almost nine years of my recovery, some of the these Night terrors threw me out of bed, least
to say, it all started right after my father had passed away. Now I am very happy to say that the night terrors has been
deceased the day I was baptized. It has been over four years now and I think God for this my spiritual awakening as
now I can sleep again at night with out the fear of looking behind my back because I know God will take care of me.
Now back to the members of Calvary… well, I shared my testimony and my pain… I was accepted. I enjoyed the bible
studies and all of my time of sharing my life…and yes, I was not asked to leave nor did anyone leave in my name
sake… for I am not alone.
Home, I am a spiritual person and God is always in my heart. When I go to church I hear the beautiful music and the
spiritual prayers and it’s not all about me. For Pastor Jeff speaks of us. He speaks of the bridges and how we will get
to heaven. It kind of reminds me of the airports as we go to depart and we sit on the plane while the stewardess will
give us instructions. Well, this is what I am getting from Calvary church, instructions on how to be a servant to God, on
how to be a child of God, and how I can help others like myself. Yes, through AA I found spirituality and through
Calvary I found my home.
So my Spiritual friends, I wanted to share a piece of my spiritual journey with you and to give thanks to Pastor Jeff for
everything he has done for me and my family, also to the members of Calvary church, “Thank you for letting me know
that I am not alone and spring is on its way.”
My friends, if you so freely, please visit Calvary Church's website by click here.
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