The Dick B. Interview of Christian Recovery Leader
James E. Gaffney of Nyack, New York, on the July 14, 2012, Episode of the “Christian Recovery Radio with Dick B.”
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The Interview is Available for Your Listening Pleasure Right Now!
______________________________________________________________________________
You may listen to Dick B. interview Christian Recovery
leader Jim Gaffney on the July 14, 2012, episode of the "Christian
Recovery Radio with Dick B." show here:
http://goo.gl/LUf6P
or here;
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/christian-recovery-radio-with-dickb/2012/07/14/dick-b-interviews-christian-recovery-leader-jim-gaffney
Episodes of the "Christian Recovery Radio with Dick
B." show are archived at:
www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com
Synopsis of the Interview
James E. Gaffney of Nyack, New York, brought to us today a
wealth of useful Christian Recovery experience in several fields important to
the work of International Christian Recovery Coalition www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
First, after appropriate payment of his dues to drug
addiction, he right now is celebrating his 33rd year of continuous
sobriety. Second, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in the pharmacy
field and became a registered pharmacist—an area that also, for a time,
facilitated his drug use. Third, he is one of those alcoholic/addicts like Bill
Wilson who achieved instant healing when he finally twice cried out to God for
help. Fourth, he began his ascent back to clean and sober living through his
association with Christian treatment programs and Christian churches—by seeking
ministry training and becoming an ordained minister, gaining expertise in
Christian counseling at Fuller Seminary and elsewhere, and becoming a leader in
recovery and care pastoring field. Fifth, by seeking certification as a
licensed drug and alcohol counselor, and now by pursuing a Master’s Degree in
marriage and family counseling—to help the
families, relatives, and friends of afflicted people. Finally, by
learning the importance of daily fellowship and recovery work very much like
that so effective and present in First Century Christianity as described in the
Book of Acts.
Jim’s experience with “Divine Aid” as a solution to
alcoholism and addiction began when he was heavily addicted to “speed.” He
uttered a prayer to God (as described in the interview)—promising to serve Him
for the rest of his life. He was instantly healed. But, like others, he had not
had enough of temptation; and he returned to smoking, use of marijuana, and
finally cocaine. So once again he cried out to God, expecting at least to be
tortured by withdrawal. But again, he was instantly healed, had no withdrawal problems
whatever, and began his long and successful continuous sobriety of 33 years
which he is celebrating this week.
What experience does he bring to the table? First, he began
attending a local church peopled by former alcoholics and addicts and had that
support. Next, he moved to Florida. And there he spent two years with his
family in a well-known treatment program. There was instruction in the Word of
God, training in the Twelve Steps, prayer, and work! Each day, by 10 AM, those
present went to work on an acreage of cattle ranching, orange groves, and care
for palm trees. And he gained a deep appreciation for this daily emphasis and
commitment and its impact on recovery. From there, he returned to the
Tabernacle Church in Melbourne, Florida—where he received Ministry training and
was ordained—also becoming recovery pastor. And he established networking with
other Christian churches so intense that there was a Christian recovery program
every single night. Again, he gained an understanding of the importance of
daily Christian fellowship, 12 Step work, and instruction in the Bible with
prayer.
Then, Jim received a call from Mariners Church in Orange
County, California. He moved there when the church had some 1800 members and
wanted to hire a recovery pastor. That church has grown to about 14,000
members. Jim devoted 20 years of work to that church serving as recovery
pastor, care pastor, and resources pastor—finally deciding to go into the
counseling field where he had had extensive experience and training.
As covered in our interview, Jim was of immense help in the
establishment of our International Christian Recovery Coalition. He arranged
for us to hold the first nationwide recovery conference for Christian recovery
leaders with Dick B. at Mariners Church. That was in May, 2009. And by July,
2009 International Christian Recovery Coalition was founded, with Jim as one of
the leaders. The Coalition owes him a great debt. And it extends far beyond the
2009 events. With his successful experience in networking, Jim put us in touch
with three strong Christian recovery leaders in Orange County—one at The
Crossing Church in Costa Mesa; one the President and Founder of New Life Spirit
Recovery, Inc. (which quickly provided us with a free Coalition office at its
headquarters in Huntington Beach); and another at Capo Calvary.
He also helped put us in touch with Dr. John Townsend,
clinical psychologist; Dr. David Stoop—Editor of Life Recovery Bible; and Bobby Nicholl, interventionist and
director at Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea in San Juan Capistrano. And
these all helped us work with a very strong group of Christian recovery leaders
in Orange County, California.
Jim Gaffney today stands as one of those experienced,
talented leaders who is thoroughly conversant with addiction problems and
Twelve Step programs; experienced as a minister and pastor; skilled as a
counselor; widely known and recognized as a recovery pastor—and the trainer of
recovery pastors; and now soon to become a licensed alcohol and drug counselor
in New York as well as a Marriage and Family Counselor there. He can be reached
at jimgaffney72@gmail.com and
through www.linkedin.com/in/jimgaffney.
And we know we will be availing ourselves of his help and counsel for many
years to come.
Gloria Deo
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