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Farragut church launches United Recovery Ministry to fight addiction

The project is meant to help with different types of addiction and will include family support groups and a general group for other life struggles.

After 18 months of preparation, Concord United Methodist Church in Farragut will debut it's United Recovery Ministry Project.

Rev. Wil Cantrell is spearheading the project, which debuts Monday at 6 p.m., and said the idea came to him almost ten years ago.

"Eight years ago, as a pastor, was the first time I had ever went into an AA meeting, I went to show my support and this amazing thing happened," Cantrell said. "I sat and listened and realized everybody was just like me. They had different struggles but the same interior things going on like me."

He then decided to create a 12-step program, which has been around for almost two years. But Rev. Cantrell said it was time for another form of fellowship, the kind that welcomes anyone.

"What we say is that the 12 steps isn't just for people who struggle with alcohol or drugs, it's for anyone who's had hurts, habits, or hang-ups, anyone who has things in their lives that has overwhelmed them," Rev. Cantrell said.

The project is meant to help with different types of addiction and will include family support groups and a general group for other life struggles.

Jennifer Rodriguez has been a member of the church for seven years. She said it's something that could help just about everyone.

"I've always felt that everybody is in recovery for something and this is a very, very needed program," she said. "I wish it was intact when I was younger, it could have helped me."

One focus of the project aims at helping the families of people who battle addiction and life struggles. Rev. Cantrell said this is a group that doesn't always get the attention it deserves.

"One of the most underserved communities we have is family members of those going to addiction," he said. "If you have a family member going through something, you need help as much as them."

The recovery service will be held every Monday at 6 p.m.

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