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Branches Recovery Center
Newsletter and Update
Dave and Debbie are a separated, fallen minister couple from out west. They were referred to us by a Christian counselor that we have never met deep in the heart of Texas. They are wounded and weeping, wondering if life will ever even return, much less return to normal. How do we feed the kids? Where do we live? Together or apart? Who will ever love us again? How could God let this happen? Doris and I have spent hours on the telephone with them, together and separately over the last few weeks. At the end of this month they are planning to come to an intensive at Branches. They have no money.
Chris and April decided to get a divorce. They called their realtor about putting the house on the market and he suggested they check out the Branches website first. (We've never met the realtor.) They found the website, drove 8 hours to a DOJOROMI retreat. God did an amazing thing in their lives over the weekend. They have hope. They're going to try a Christian counselor in their area.
Larry and Teresa live on the other end of the state from us. They are broken and battered. He lost his way, lost his church, almost lost his family. They want to put the pieces back together but they really don't know how. They are frightened about the future, stumbling over their own sorrow, and trying to do life with their kids through the pain. They heard about Branches through another couple we helped and last week they sat in my office and cried. We'll meet together once a month as they can find a babysitter, put gas in the car, and drive several hours to get to us.
Linda is a pastor's wife. Her depression and the resulting eating disorder has broken her spirit and nearly destroyed her body. It has also cost her husband his church. Now they have nowhere to go, no money to get there, no job, no future, almost no hope. They saw Branches on a repeat of a television program and in desperation emailed. Their voices were trembling when we talked on the phone. We put together a plan, found some money for them, got them scheduled for an intensive, and prayed together over the phone.
These stories (with the names changed) are not the exceptions. They are the rule at Branches. And they are repeated everyday, week after week. Teenagers struggling to overcome their wounded thinking, men sick of living with their own sickness, ministers who have messed up and moms who can no longer cope. They call us on the phone. They email us. We counsel in person, by phone or in groups. Some of them can pay. Many do not. But they keep coming and our incredible staff of counselors and coaches keep helping.
I have never been more sure that Branches is a God movement. I believe His vision is to establish centers like this in other places around the country to make this help even more accessible. I am absolutely positive that God is using Branches to minister grace, healing and hope to a broken Body of Christ. Frankly, we are desperate for your prayers, your support, and your help in telling the Branches story to others. I know this is one of the most challenging economic times our nation has ever endured. Believe me, If we could have picked a better time to follow God's direction and begin Branches,we would have. But maybe God has ordained Branches "for such a time as this." And maybe He has ordained you to partner with us. Would you ask Him about that?
There is a lot of information in this letter. More than usual. The last little article lists some very concrete ways that you can be a part of what we do. Would you read it? And know that we believe in you.
Thursday, April 16, 2009 7 PM
Richie MacDonald and Chonda Pierce
a benefit concert for
Branches Recovery Center
New Vision Baptist Church
Thompson Lane
Murfreesboro, TN
Tickets are $20
and all proceeds benefit Branches
To order tickets call (615) 904-7170
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Check out more about Branches at this blog spot
Branches on Bridges For the next five Mondays watch Branches on Christian Television CTNTV. The program airs at 9:30am and 6:30pm or can be seen on the web at http://www.ctntv.org/
 BRANCHES UNIVERSITYThe second tri-mester of Branches University begins March 19. BETA is a licensed pastoral counselor trac preparing you for a deeper ministry of counseling in your church or for full time work as a pastoral counselor. Classes are offered by directed study and in a weekend seminar format. If you would like to know more about BETA or would like an enrollment packet contact us at Branches, (615) 904-7170 or email info@branchesrecoverycenter.com. Completion of the 5 tri-mester program prepares our students for certification as a Licensed Pastoral Counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. Enroll now for the Spring Tri-mester. A complete catalogue and course description is available at our website, www.branchesrecoverycenter.com. Follow the links to newsletter then BETA Catalogue.
| Groups At Branches |
 One of the key values at Branches Recovery Center is that the Holy Spirit uses us to help us. We believe in groups. There is a powerful presence when 2 or 3 gather together in His name, even when the purpose is to "check in." For that reason we offer a plethora of groups at Branches.
- Body Image (for teen girls)
- Divorce Recovery
- Co-dependency
- Growing Out Of Depression
And more. Groups go on continually. We begin a new group when we have 10 registrants. If you are interested in a group at Branches, one we have or one you think we should, call us and get ready to change and help others change. (click on the picture above to hear a little more about groups) And for a genuine group experience join us any Wednesday night at 7PM for Branches, a Christ centered support group.
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| Life Coaching Basic Training |
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Back by popular demand, is Life Coaching Basic Training. Several have asked us to teach the 6 week course again on Christian Life Coaching. It is a webinar class, all you need is a computer and a phone line. The class is 2 hours each week for 6 weeks. The cost is $600. Whether you desire to change professions or simply be better qualified to help the hurting in your church, this course is life changing. Enroll now. Classes begin March 19. Scholarships are available.
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| Deliverance and Healing |
Dr. David Appleby, Ph. D, is a professor at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He is also a leader in the Christian world in understanding and administering a ministry of deliverance. His conference was amazing at Branches. 48 people crowded into the conference room on Friday night as Dr. Appleby presented a very biblical and balanced understanding of deliverance. God came and people were healed. It was a clear reminder for every therapist and pastor that all healing comes from God. We saw people powerfully changed. To download the paper presented at Branches go to http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ccfs_fac_pubs/10/
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One day Marriage Retreat at Branches
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| The next DOJOROMI Marriage retreat is coming soon with a different format. These weekends are always sold out and a blast. We are having a ONE DAY retreat at Branches on Saturday, April 25. The cost is $59 per couple and we are limited to 20 couples. Join Robert and Joan Collier and Doris and me for one day that could change your marriage. It is fun, funny, and full of the Holy Spirit. Register today by calling (615) 904-7170 or emailing mike@branchesrecoverycenter.com.
For the full retreat experience sign up for the Beersheba Spings Convenant Renewal Conference we will be doing in June. See more about that at http://tnumcamps.org/ |
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Co-dependency : an overview
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Here are some excerpts from a great article on one of the "buzzword" issues of our culture by Vicki Lavick, M.D.Ed.
Many people do not realize that co-dependency is an addictive process -- a disease just like any other addiction. Co-dependency can be described as a dysfunctional pattern of living in which one overreacts to things going on outside of oneself and under reacts to what is going on inside. It involves compulsive behaviors and dependence upon approval from others in order to achieve a sense of safety, identity and self-esteem. Co-dependents put all their efforts into those around them, neglecting to fully take care of themselves, especially emotionally. Co-dependency is a disease that, if left untreated, can lead to other addictions such as eating disorders, substance dependence, workaholism and compulsive spending.
Characteristics of Co-Dependency
Some of the characteristics of co-dependent people include:
-Positive feelings about themselves stem from being liked and accepted by others.
-Mental attention is focused on solving the problems of others or relieving their pain, and when these goals are accomplished, their self-esteem rises.
-Co-dependents tend to personalize all that happens around them, seeing everything as being directly related to them.
-Co-dependents have unrealistic expectations of themselves, are unable to accept their own limitations, and use control and manipulation to avoid facing reality.
-They view themselves as failures when they cannot control everything or meet everyone's expectations.
-They fear rejection and abandonment, so they feel they must be involved and needed in every aspect of the lives of others. Not to be involved and needed equals abandonment.
-Co-dependents are not aware of how they feel; they are aware of how others feel. Co-dependents are not aware of what they want; they ask what others want. If they are not aware, they assume.
Recovery Is Possible
The bright spot in this discussion of co-dependency is, as with any addiction, recovery is possible. Recovery from co-dependency generally does best with a two-part program: involvement with a co-dependency therapist and/or professionally led group plus participation in a 12-step program. In their book "Understanding Co-Dependency," Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse and Joseph Cruse, M.D. explain that some behaviors require moderation, while others require abstinence. They point out that most compulsive behaviors are actually just extreme exaggerations of healthy, normal behavior (work, eating, shopping/spending, sexuality, etc.), and recovery consists of the moderation of these behaviors. Recovery from the use of mood-altering substances, such as drugs or alcohol, requires abstinence.
By working with a therapist, group, and/or a 12-step program, one can learn about his or herself. One can look at motivations, behaviors, identifying feelings, developing positive coping skills, and make positive changes.
(Now, I can't resist. I hope you liked this article. You did didn't you? Please tell me you did.)
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 Now, what do I do?
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| I confess I always struggle with the tension between making the need known and sounding like I am always asking for something. All I can do is ask you to trust my heart. If you read this, you are an invaluable member of the Branches family. I don't care if you never send a dime, never email us, never attend a retreat or tell anyone about our groups. I don't care if you never remember to pray for us (well, alright I DO care about that one.) You are a part of us and I thank God for you. But, if it is helpful to let you know about our needs then I want to do that. Here's what you can do!
- We have a monthly budget of $20,000. Scholarships make up the biggest part of that. We need 100 people to give $100 each month to Branches. We need a few to make heroic contributions. And we need as many people as possible to support as often as possible.
- We have 272 weekly prayer warriors. We need 230 more. We need 500 people who will commit to praying each week for Branches and for the list of broken people that I send out as they come in. Without prayer we have NOTHING to offer.
- We need 5000 names on our email list. We need you to send this email letter to as many people as you can, asking them to subscribe to our monthly email letter. Frankly, the more people who read this, the greater the possibility for support and, more important, the more likely that those in need will know where to find us.
- We need a humdinger, knock your socks off, super nerd (in a good way) generous web designer to help us build a site that makes Branches more accessible via the www. Along that line, we need three good computers.
- Finally, we need invitations to tell the Branches story. Doris and I have had some wonderful opportunities lately to go to churches and speak for retreats, conferences, and services. St. Luke's on Hilton Head Island, The ROCC and The Church of God here in Murfreesboro, The Worship Center in Dayton, Ohio. every time we have done that, every time, God has brought us a new generation of wounded people to minister to. I believe we need to speak to 24 churches a year. Honestly, you can help with that.
If I sound pushy it is because I have never believed in anything so strongly. If you have influence in a church or corporation or even with a potential partner that I need to visit, set that up. Doris and I hold hands every morning and sometimes weep as we call by name the list of couples that we are working with. And we rejoice every morning as we thank God for you. You are Branches.
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