dickb
05-23-2009, 06:58 PM
Report on Speaker-Presenters at Southern California Conference
Prepared by Dick B. on Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Nationwide Recovery Conference with Dick B.
Theme: A New Way Out
“We Christians in the Recovery Arena Are Not Alone!”
The answers as to what happened, who exhibited, and who spoke at the James Club meeting on Thursday, May 14, and at the Conference sessions on Friday, May 15, and on Saturday, May 16, in the Southern California area. Note also that, at the Friday Conference session, every attendee was given the opportunity to introduce himself or herself, and to say a few words about his or her activities and objectives. This was a moving experience.
Thursday Events
Dick B. spoke at the pre-Conference James Club meeting on Thursday, May 14, at New Beginnings Church in Norco, California. Treasured historical materials were exhibited and explained. Darvin Smith, M.D., addictionologist and co-director of Addiction Behavior Training at Youth with a Mission (YWAM), told of his worldwide educational work. Dick then spoke on the nine Christians who were involved in the founding of A.A. Also, on Thursday morning, Bob Noonan of Stepping Out Ministries interviewed Dick on a TV series presentation.
Friday Events
Dick B. and his son Ken B. reviewed the 45 questions and answers in the survey sent out prior to the Conference to about 4,500 folks as to the problems they have encountered as Christians in recovery. The reading of the survey questions and responses occurred at the Friday Conference session at the Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine, California. Throughout the Conference session, the nationally-known percussionist and singer, Walter Santos, entertained those present with songs.
Thank You to Host Pastor Jim Gaffney, Exhibiters, Sponsors
Special thanks were extended on Friday and Saturday to Pastor Jim Gaffney, host of the Conference. Jim is the former Recovery Pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, and is now a pastoral counselor in the Orange County area. Also, to Santos, for his music, for Calvary Ranch’s financial benevolence, and for his talk. Also, to Pauline Bartosch and Jeff MacLeod at Overcomers Outreach, Inc., in Whittier, for their talks, for their financial contributions, and for printing A New Way Out Guidebook by Dick B. and Ken B. Also, to Vivian Eisenecher of San Diego and to Angela Eren Capp of Venice, California, for their dedicated service on hospitality, food, and refreshments. Also, to Frank Braggiotti, for his service as area contact person.
A word about the exhibit displays of sponsors. Exhibitors included Vivian Eisenecher; New Life Spirit Recovery of Huntington Beach; Herbert Kaighan; Austin Recovery Ministries; Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea; Pastor Jim Gaffney and Mariners Church; Santos Ministries and Calvary Ranch; Monty Meyer’s Take 12 Radio; Manna House Ministries of Jamestown, Tennessee; Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ACADC) of Redlands, California; Rock Recovery Ministries of San Diego, California; and City Vision College of Kansas City, Missouri. The volunteers were numerous and included Dr. Robert (“Rusty”) Turner of South Carolina; Mark Galligan of Ontario, Canada; Dan Frye of British Columbia, Canada; Wally Camp of Maine; Bill Wigmore of Austin, Texas; Scott Craven of Honolulu, Hawaii; Walter Santos of Carlsbad, California; John Sorrells of Norco, California; Vivian Eisenecher of San Diego, California; and Angela Eren Capp of Venice, California. Also thanks to the large group of staff members from CityTeam Ministries
Saturday
Saturday was a full day. Pastor Jim Gaffney arranged tours of the large and beautiful campus of Mariners Church in Irvine. The Conference session began at 9:00 AM and ended at 5:30 PM. There were some 20 speaker-presenters who told what they are doing to help those who still suffer in their particular arena, the problems they had encountered, the solutions they have used, and what kinds of help they needed. The speaker-presenters included an adequate and varied group coming from religious, treatment, professional, pastoral, counseling, bridge, and church activities. Moreover, a large number were lay people who reach out in support fellowships. The names and brief sketches of the Saturday presenters are set forth below. All conferees had a great opportunity to meet, talk to, and network with a large group of people who understand the historical approach to, and need for, A New Way Out—particularly for Christians already in the recovery arena.
For the Future
Maui Fest, May 27-31, 2009, at the Sheraton Hotel in Ka’anapali, Maui, Hawaii. Ken and I are planning be there to greet and reach out. Hope to see you there! http://www.mauifest.org/. (If you are planning on coming, please let us know so we can meet with you.)
“A New Way Out Leadership Conference with Dick B.” in July 2009 in the Southern California area. Dick B. and Ken B. will be returning to Southern California in July and again staying at the Fairmont Newport Beach, July 12-18, 2009. A full-day (or at least half-day) leadership Conference is being planned for that week, and your comments and suggestions as to topics and other needs are welcome. The leadership Conference will be accompanied by Dick B.’s being available for personal and small group meetings, and for public talks, throughout the Southern California area, on a first-come-first-served, as-invited basis. Dick B. will present his mission statement and specific ideas as to what he can contribute to Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, and to those who still suffer. He will also ask other Christian leaders and workers at the Conference and meetings about their experiences and needs in working with others in the recovery arena.
“The First International Gathering of Recovered Saints with Dick B. in Maui, Hawaii.” Tentatively, December 26, 2009-January 1, 2010. (Your suggestions about the exact dates would be appreciated.)
The 75th International A.A. Conference in San Antonio, Texas, July, 2010.
Revised Brief sketches of Speaker-Presenters
Pauline Bartosch and her husband Bob (now deceased) founded Overcomers Outreach, Inc.
Pauline brings the important message of how Bridge Groups like O.O. help recovery with Christian emphasis in 12 Step Fellowships. Pauline lives in Whittier, California. She told us the Overcomers Outreach mission, outreach, and successful experience.
Jeff MacLeod is the new Executive Director of Overcomers Outreach, Inc.:
Jeff explained how this well-known outreach bridge group is rejuvenating itself today.
Jeff’s new headquarters is located at Whittier, California. He joined Pauline Bartosch
in telling of the extraordinary reach of bridge groups.
Darvin W. Smith, M.D. is a widely-known Christian recovery leader from Boulder, Colorado.
Darv is a skilled addictionologist. With his wife Carol, M.A. Counseling, as Co-Director, he is a leader of Addictive Behavior Ministries International University of the Nations/Youth with a Mission. Darv is Past President of ISAAC (International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition). He carries the Christian recovery message to the farthest parts of the globe.
Fr. Bill Wigmore heads Austin Recovery Ministry in Austin, Texas—known as the largest treatment program in Texas. Bill is an ordained Episcopal priest, a recovered person, a long-time recovery leader, much interested in A.A.’s Oxford Group roots, and an articulate recovery author.
Bill explained the nature of his Christian recovery work in Texas and is a strong 12-Step supporter. He has made Christian services and training available to those in his area who are willing to seek Christian recovery ideas and principles.
Rev. Michael Liimatta is now Director of City Vision College in Kansas City, Missouri, and former head of Alcoholics Victorious. Michael lives in Missouri:
Michael has devoted years to leading, writing about, and furthering the work of the widely known Alcoholics Victorious and also the Rescue Missions of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. His present focus is on urban ministry. He told us about urban ministry, the rescue mission heritage of A.A., and the urban ministry curriculum and agenda at City Vision College in Kansas City.
Pastor Jim Gaffney was the Conference host, has just retired as recovery pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, and now is a consultant, pastoral counselor, and church catalyst. He lives in Southern California, and maintains offices there.
Jim was one of the organizers and leaders of the Shepherding the Shepherds Conference several years ago when four large churches in the Costa Mesa area convened meetings, at which I spoke, where members of churches and Christian recovery groups were given training in Christian recovery outreach. Pastor Jim is a strong 12 Step supporter. He overseen the work of many Christian recovery groups. He is focused on pastoral counseling today.
George McLauchlin, M.A., of Tampa, Florida is a leader in Clean and Sober Tampa. He has taken a vigorous interest in Yet Not I and the crucified life. He had a special video presentation available with him.
George did the Kairos Prison Ministry, was the inside sponsor at Zephyryhills Correctional Institute, and led thrice weekly A.A. meetings at a local homeless shelter for 14 years. He designed and conducted intensive weekend workshops. He went to the former Soviet Union in 1986 and 1988 to share the A.A. message and seed the first groups in Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). He worked as a community networker to get faith communities to work together with public housing units to provide substance abuse recovery support. He fosters “creating a sober world.” Today he is focused on Yet Not I and the Practice of the Crucified Life. He is an experienced recovery worker in his community helping homeless, imprisoned, and still suffering persons.
Brother Wayne White is the Executive Director of Footprints: Alcoholics Victorious International, Inc. He comes from Kansas City, Missouri:
Wayne’s focus is on faith-based recovery and community outreach in the Missouri Area. Footprints, Inc. was a prototype for many of the bridge organizations today. He brings substantial experience in national access to recovery through SAMHSA.
Walter Santos is a nationally known percussionist and singer who has chosen to “sing for the King” and also serve as a recovered Christian person in helping others at Calvary Ranch at Lakeside, California. Walter lives in Carlsbad, California
Santos provided all of the music for our Conference. He has just released a new presentation of his music. He is an ardent servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Creator. And he explained in his talk about the Christian recovery program at Calvary Ranch. He’ll be with us in Maui at the end of 2009.
David Powers is the leader of several recovery ministries and programs in the San Diego area and head of RockRecovery Ministry in San Diego, California.
David is devoting much time to Christian outreach to those who are suffering from alcoholism, addictions, and life-controlling problems. He explained aspects of Rock Church, the Rock Recovery Ministry, and the Christian endeavors of his groups in the San Diego area.
Bobby Nicholl is a Consultant and director at Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea. He
brought a strong message about the Christian treatment program he has organized.
Bobby has had lots of experience organizing non-profit outreach groups and has plans for a special “Eden” treatment program in the Southern California area. He is an advocate of combining the Big Book and Bible programs today.
Keith Walters of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is a tireless hands-on Christian 12 Stepper in Hawaii and California
Keith has worked with CityTeam Ministries, the Salvation Army, a residential recovery house, heads the Y2 Foundation, and is well-known for Big Book/12 Step work in California and the Big Island of Hawaii Keith is outspoken on the importance of relating A.A. to Christian recovery work.
Scott Craven of Honolulu, Hawaii, heads up unique Men’s Step Study Groups in Hawaii:
Scott has been a recovery volunteer at Hope Chapel in Kaneohe, with the Hina Mauka treatment center people in Kaneohe, and with newcomers in his groups. He guides his men’s groups in a two-year course through the Twelve Steps, the Bible, and recovery problems. He has expanded his message-carrying abroad as well. His unique success with such Bible-study-recovery groups is a story that needed to be heard.
Michael P. Belzman of Redlands, California is the CEO and Senior Pastor at the Association of Christian and Alcohol Drug Counselors
Michael’s particular concern was the pending legislative action designed to license and thereby limit the work of pastoral counselors and place them under government control.
Mark Galligan is a dedicated Christian 12-Step worker who came all the way from Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.
Mark has been a generous sponsor of the Conference and has made a point of seeking and absorbing information about the early A.A. Christian fellowship and roots. He was present at all the meetings and told how he carries the Christian message in the recovery community in Canada. He manned our exhibit treasure table and spoke eloquently.
John Sorrells heads the James Club of Norco, California; was the host of the pre-conference meeting at the New Beginnings Church in Norco; and has been a major Conference sponsor.
John is one of the pioneers of the James Club idea. He has encountered all the road blocks thrown up against the study of early A.A.’s Christian history; and the Norco group have been vigorous and successful in their group and studies. John told us how!
Larry Webb is a realtor from Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He led a Big Book Bible study group for many years and has consistently supported our A.A. history outreach.
Larry’s men group has been a big supporter of spreading the word in 12 Step fellowships about the importance of A.A. history, the work we have done to disseminate it, and the effectiveness of the original A.A. program. He shared his experience as a Christian worker in the twelve-step scene.
Monty Meyer of Albany, Oregon, is a rare bird. He has devoted years to fostering and developing a recovery radio show that unabashedly carries a Christian recovery message.
Monty’s broadcasts run throughout the week. They are heard all over the world, and I received a phone call from a group in Dubai who had heard my regular weekly talk and told of enjoying it. The radio station is called “Take 12 Recovery,” is KHLT, and can be brought up online quite easily. Monty talked about how to use radio shows to promote Christian recovery information and history.
Robert Turner, M.D., of Charleston, South Carolina. Rusty is a professor at Medical University of South Carolina. He belongs to American Society of Addiction Medicine.
In addition to being a tireless volunteer at the Conference, Rusty delivered a unique talk on the importance for medicine and science to investigate and see the spiritual element of addiction biology. He is a Christian and active Twelve-Step member.
Angela Eren Capp of Venice, California handled, with Vivian Eisenecher, to hospitality and food elements of the Conference.
Angela shared her perspective on Christian outreach in the Twelve Step arena.
Dick B. is an active recovered AA, retired attorney, Bible student, writer, and historian from Maui, Hawaii:
Dick has devoted nineteen years to researching, reporting, and disseminating the complete history of the early A.A. Christian fellowship, its Bible roots and principles, its many sources in the YMCA, Salvation Army, rescue missions, youth of Dr. Bob and Bill in Vermont, the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, the ideas of the Oxford Group, the principles and practices of the world-wide Christian Endeavor movement, the journal kept and shared with AAs and their families by Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Smith, and ideas of Christian conversion, William James, Carl Jung, and even New Thought writers. Dick has now published 34 titles on the subject and spoke primarily about the conference theme—a New Way Out for Christians in the recovery arena (the need for helping and supporting tens of thousands of Christians in recovery today and encouraging them to learn the early A.A. Christian roots and be able to share their own successful experiences in applying those Christian principles in their recoveries).
Ken B. is one of Dick B.’s two sons. Ken lives on Maui, is president of Good Book Publishing Company which publishes his father’s books, is a computer specialist, and has been a lecturer on Bible study and on speech communication.
Ken is not an alcoholic, but has worked side-by-side with Dick B. for almost all of the nineteen years of Dick’s research and writing and working with alcoholics and addicts. Ken has edited and formatted titles, joined in research, and worked with alcoholics and addicts in the Bible fellowships he teaches.. He has studied the Bible and taught about it from his teens. He holds a BA in rhetoric from U.C. Berkeley, and an MA in Speech Communication from S.F. State. He shared extensively at the Conference about A New Way Out.
Dick B.: Email: dickb@dickb.com; (808) 874 4876; PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837; main web site: http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml; conference site: http://www.ANewWayOut.com
Gloria Deo
:16:
Prepared by Dick B. on Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Nationwide Recovery Conference with Dick B.
Theme: A New Way Out
“We Christians in the Recovery Arena Are Not Alone!”
The answers as to what happened, who exhibited, and who spoke at the James Club meeting on Thursday, May 14, and at the Conference sessions on Friday, May 15, and on Saturday, May 16, in the Southern California area. Note also that, at the Friday Conference session, every attendee was given the opportunity to introduce himself or herself, and to say a few words about his or her activities and objectives. This was a moving experience.
Thursday Events
Dick B. spoke at the pre-Conference James Club meeting on Thursday, May 14, at New Beginnings Church in Norco, California. Treasured historical materials were exhibited and explained. Darvin Smith, M.D., addictionologist and co-director of Addiction Behavior Training at Youth with a Mission (YWAM), told of his worldwide educational work. Dick then spoke on the nine Christians who were involved in the founding of A.A. Also, on Thursday morning, Bob Noonan of Stepping Out Ministries interviewed Dick on a TV series presentation.
Friday Events
Dick B. and his son Ken B. reviewed the 45 questions and answers in the survey sent out prior to the Conference to about 4,500 folks as to the problems they have encountered as Christians in recovery. The reading of the survey questions and responses occurred at the Friday Conference session at the Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine, California. Throughout the Conference session, the nationally-known percussionist and singer, Walter Santos, entertained those present with songs.
Thank You to Host Pastor Jim Gaffney, Exhibiters, Sponsors
Special thanks were extended on Friday and Saturday to Pastor Jim Gaffney, host of the Conference. Jim is the former Recovery Pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, and is now a pastoral counselor in the Orange County area. Also, to Santos, for his music, for Calvary Ranch’s financial benevolence, and for his talk. Also, to Pauline Bartosch and Jeff MacLeod at Overcomers Outreach, Inc., in Whittier, for their talks, for their financial contributions, and for printing A New Way Out Guidebook by Dick B. and Ken B. Also, to Vivian Eisenecher of San Diego and to Angela Eren Capp of Venice, California, for their dedicated service on hospitality, food, and refreshments. Also, to Frank Braggiotti, for his service as area contact person.
A word about the exhibit displays of sponsors. Exhibitors included Vivian Eisenecher; New Life Spirit Recovery of Huntington Beach; Herbert Kaighan; Austin Recovery Ministries; Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea; Pastor Jim Gaffney and Mariners Church; Santos Ministries and Calvary Ranch; Monty Meyer’s Take 12 Radio; Manna House Ministries of Jamestown, Tennessee; Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ACADC) of Redlands, California; Rock Recovery Ministries of San Diego, California; and City Vision College of Kansas City, Missouri. The volunteers were numerous and included Dr. Robert (“Rusty”) Turner of South Carolina; Mark Galligan of Ontario, Canada; Dan Frye of British Columbia, Canada; Wally Camp of Maine; Bill Wigmore of Austin, Texas; Scott Craven of Honolulu, Hawaii; Walter Santos of Carlsbad, California; John Sorrells of Norco, California; Vivian Eisenecher of San Diego, California; and Angela Eren Capp of Venice, California. Also thanks to the large group of staff members from CityTeam Ministries
Saturday
Saturday was a full day. Pastor Jim Gaffney arranged tours of the large and beautiful campus of Mariners Church in Irvine. The Conference session began at 9:00 AM and ended at 5:30 PM. There were some 20 speaker-presenters who told what they are doing to help those who still suffer in their particular arena, the problems they had encountered, the solutions they have used, and what kinds of help they needed. The speaker-presenters included an adequate and varied group coming from religious, treatment, professional, pastoral, counseling, bridge, and church activities. Moreover, a large number were lay people who reach out in support fellowships. The names and brief sketches of the Saturday presenters are set forth below. All conferees had a great opportunity to meet, talk to, and network with a large group of people who understand the historical approach to, and need for, A New Way Out—particularly for Christians already in the recovery arena.
For the Future
Maui Fest, May 27-31, 2009, at the Sheraton Hotel in Ka’anapali, Maui, Hawaii. Ken and I are planning be there to greet and reach out. Hope to see you there! http://www.mauifest.org/. (If you are planning on coming, please let us know so we can meet with you.)
“A New Way Out Leadership Conference with Dick B.” in July 2009 in the Southern California area. Dick B. and Ken B. will be returning to Southern California in July and again staying at the Fairmont Newport Beach, July 12-18, 2009. A full-day (or at least half-day) leadership Conference is being planned for that week, and your comments and suggestions as to topics and other needs are welcome. The leadership Conference will be accompanied by Dick B.’s being available for personal and small group meetings, and for public talks, throughout the Southern California area, on a first-come-first-served, as-invited basis. Dick B. will present his mission statement and specific ideas as to what he can contribute to Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, and to those who still suffer. He will also ask other Christian leaders and workers at the Conference and meetings about their experiences and needs in working with others in the recovery arena.
“The First International Gathering of Recovered Saints with Dick B. in Maui, Hawaii.” Tentatively, December 26, 2009-January 1, 2010. (Your suggestions about the exact dates would be appreciated.)
The 75th International A.A. Conference in San Antonio, Texas, July, 2010.
Revised Brief sketches of Speaker-Presenters
Pauline Bartosch and her husband Bob (now deceased) founded Overcomers Outreach, Inc.
Pauline brings the important message of how Bridge Groups like O.O. help recovery with Christian emphasis in 12 Step Fellowships. Pauline lives in Whittier, California. She told us the Overcomers Outreach mission, outreach, and successful experience.
Jeff MacLeod is the new Executive Director of Overcomers Outreach, Inc.:
Jeff explained how this well-known outreach bridge group is rejuvenating itself today.
Jeff’s new headquarters is located at Whittier, California. He joined Pauline Bartosch
in telling of the extraordinary reach of bridge groups.
Darvin W. Smith, M.D. is a widely-known Christian recovery leader from Boulder, Colorado.
Darv is a skilled addictionologist. With his wife Carol, M.A. Counseling, as Co-Director, he is a leader of Addictive Behavior Ministries International University of the Nations/Youth with a Mission. Darv is Past President of ISAAC (International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition). He carries the Christian recovery message to the farthest parts of the globe.
Fr. Bill Wigmore heads Austin Recovery Ministry in Austin, Texas—known as the largest treatment program in Texas. Bill is an ordained Episcopal priest, a recovered person, a long-time recovery leader, much interested in A.A.’s Oxford Group roots, and an articulate recovery author.
Bill explained the nature of his Christian recovery work in Texas and is a strong 12-Step supporter. He has made Christian services and training available to those in his area who are willing to seek Christian recovery ideas and principles.
Rev. Michael Liimatta is now Director of City Vision College in Kansas City, Missouri, and former head of Alcoholics Victorious. Michael lives in Missouri:
Michael has devoted years to leading, writing about, and furthering the work of the widely known Alcoholics Victorious and also the Rescue Missions of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. His present focus is on urban ministry. He told us about urban ministry, the rescue mission heritage of A.A., and the urban ministry curriculum and agenda at City Vision College in Kansas City.
Pastor Jim Gaffney was the Conference host, has just retired as recovery pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, and now is a consultant, pastoral counselor, and church catalyst. He lives in Southern California, and maintains offices there.
Jim was one of the organizers and leaders of the Shepherding the Shepherds Conference several years ago when four large churches in the Costa Mesa area convened meetings, at which I spoke, where members of churches and Christian recovery groups were given training in Christian recovery outreach. Pastor Jim is a strong 12 Step supporter. He overseen the work of many Christian recovery groups. He is focused on pastoral counseling today.
George McLauchlin, M.A., of Tampa, Florida is a leader in Clean and Sober Tampa. He has taken a vigorous interest in Yet Not I and the crucified life. He had a special video presentation available with him.
George did the Kairos Prison Ministry, was the inside sponsor at Zephyryhills Correctional Institute, and led thrice weekly A.A. meetings at a local homeless shelter for 14 years. He designed and conducted intensive weekend workshops. He went to the former Soviet Union in 1986 and 1988 to share the A.A. message and seed the first groups in Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). He worked as a community networker to get faith communities to work together with public housing units to provide substance abuse recovery support. He fosters “creating a sober world.” Today he is focused on Yet Not I and the Practice of the Crucified Life. He is an experienced recovery worker in his community helping homeless, imprisoned, and still suffering persons.
Brother Wayne White is the Executive Director of Footprints: Alcoholics Victorious International, Inc. He comes from Kansas City, Missouri:
Wayne’s focus is on faith-based recovery and community outreach in the Missouri Area. Footprints, Inc. was a prototype for many of the bridge organizations today. He brings substantial experience in national access to recovery through SAMHSA.
Walter Santos is a nationally known percussionist and singer who has chosen to “sing for the King” and also serve as a recovered Christian person in helping others at Calvary Ranch at Lakeside, California. Walter lives in Carlsbad, California
Santos provided all of the music for our Conference. He has just released a new presentation of his music. He is an ardent servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Creator. And he explained in his talk about the Christian recovery program at Calvary Ranch. He’ll be with us in Maui at the end of 2009.
David Powers is the leader of several recovery ministries and programs in the San Diego area and head of RockRecovery Ministry in San Diego, California.
David is devoting much time to Christian outreach to those who are suffering from alcoholism, addictions, and life-controlling problems. He explained aspects of Rock Church, the Rock Recovery Ministry, and the Christian endeavors of his groups in the San Diego area.
Bobby Nicholl is a Consultant and director at Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea. He
brought a strong message about the Christian treatment program he has organized.
Bobby has had lots of experience organizing non-profit outreach groups and has plans for a special “Eden” treatment program in the Southern California area. He is an advocate of combining the Big Book and Bible programs today.
Keith Walters of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is a tireless hands-on Christian 12 Stepper in Hawaii and California
Keith has worked with CityTeam Ministries, the Salvation Army, a residential recovery house, heads the Y2 Foundation, and is well-known for Big Book/12 Step work in California and the Big Island of Hawaii Keith is outspoken on the importance of relating A.A. to Christian recovery work.
Scott Craven of Honolulu, Hawaii, heads up unique Men’s Step Study Groups in Hawaii:
Scott has been a recovery volunteer at Hope Chapel in Kaneohe, with the Hina Mauka treatment center people in Kaneohe, and with newcomers in his groups. He guides his men’s groups in a two-year course through the Twelve Steps, the Bible, and recovery problems. He has expanded his message-carrying abroad as well. His unique success with such Bible-study-recovery groups is a story that needed to be heard.
Michael P. Belzman of Redlands, California is the CEO and Senior Pastor at the Association of Christian and Alcohol Drug Counselors
Michael’s particular concern was the pending legislative action designed to license and thereby limit the work of pastoral counselors and place them under government control.
Mark Galligan is a dedicated Christian 12-Step worker who came all the way from Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.
Mark has been a generous sponsor of the Conference and has made a point of seeking and absorbing information about the early A.A. Christian fellowship and roots. He was present at all the meetings and told how he carries the Christian message in the recovery community in Canada. He manned our exhibit treasure table and spoke eloquently.
John Sorrells heads the James Club of Norco, California; was the host of the pre-conference meeting at the New Beginnings Church in Norco; and has been a major Conference sponsor.
John is one of the pioneers of the James Club idea. He has encountered all the road blocks thrown up against the study of early A.A.’s Christian history; and the Norco group have been vigorous and successful in their group and studies. John told us how!
Larry Webb is a realtor from Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He led a Big Book Bible study group for many years and has consistently supported our A.A. history outreach.
Larry’s men group has been a big supporter of spreading the word in 12 Step fellowships about the importance of A.A. history, the work we have done to disseminate it, and the effectiveness of the original A.A. program. He shared his experience as a Christian worker in the twelve-step scene.
Monty Meyer of Albany, Oregon, is a rare bird. He has devoted years to fostering and developing a recovery radio show that unabashedly carries a Christian recovery message.
Monty’s broadcasts run throughout the week. They are heard all over the world, and I received a phone call from a group in Dubai who had heard my regular weekly talk and told of enjoying it. The radio station is called “Take 12 Recovery,” is KHLT, and can be brought up online quite easily. Monty talked about how to use radio shows to promote Christian recovery information and history.
Robert Turner, M.D., of Charleston, South Carolina. Rusty is a professor at Medical University of South Carolina. He belongs to American Society of Addiction Medicine.
In addition to being a tireless volunteer at the Conference, Rusty delivered a unique talk on the importance for medicine and science to investigate and see the spiritual element of addiction biology. He is a Christian and active Twelve-Step member.
Angela Eren Capp of Venice, California handled, with Vivian Eisenecher, to hospitality and food elements of the Conference.
Angela shared her perspective on Christian outreach in the Twelve Step arena.
Dick B. is an active recovered AA, retired attorney, Bible student, writer, and historian from Maui, Hawaii:
Dick has devoted nineteen years to researching, reporting, and disseminating the complete history of the early A.A. Christian fellowship, its Bible roots and principles, its many sources in the YMCA, Salvation Army, rescue missions, youth of Dr. Bob and Bill in Vermont, the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, the ideas of the Oxford Group, the principles and practices of the world-wide Christian Endeavor movement, the journal kept and shared with AAs and their families by Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Smith, and ideas of Christian conversion, William James, Carl Jung, and even New Thought writers. Dick has now published 34 titles on the subject and spoke primarily about the conference theme—a New Way Out for Christians in the recovery arena (the need for helping and supporting tens of thousands of Christians in recovery today and encouraging them to learn the early A.A. Christian roots and be able to share their own successful experiences in applying those Christian principles in their recoveries).
Ken B. is one of Dick B.’s two sons. Ken lives on Maui, is president of Good Book Publishing Company which publishes his father’s books, is a computer specialist, and has been a lecturer on Bible study and on speech communication.
Ken is not an alcoholic, but has worked side-by-side with Dick B. for almost all of the nineteen years of Dick’s research and writing and working with alcoholics and addicts. Ken has edited and formatted titles, joined in research, and worked with alcoholics and addicts in the Bible fellowships he teaches.. He has studied the Bible and taught about it from his teens. He holds a BA in rhetoric from U.C. Berkeley, and an MA in Speech Communication from S.F. State. He shared extensively at the Conference about A New Way Out.
Dick B.: Email: dickb@dickb.com; (808) 874 4876; PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837; main web site: http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml; conference site: http://www.ANewWayOut.com
Gloria Deo
:16: