Why Discipleship Is The True Heart Of Re:generation
People don’t come to Re:generation looking for discipleship. They come seeking help—relief from struggles like depression, addiction, anxiety, or pornography. Likewise, church leaders, counselors, and others who launch Re:generation ministries are not usually thinking about discipleship first; they want resources to help them support their community’s needs.
But even if discipleship isn’t what draws people in, it’s the reason they stay. And more than anything else, it’s what sets Re:generation apart from other recovery ministries.
The Origins of Re:generation
When Watermark Community Church launched their recovery ministry in 2002, its primary purpose was to help members struggling with secret sin and shame. Director Nate Graybill, who battled a pornography addiction for years before finally finding freedom in Christ through the help of community, knew it was vitally important to create a place where people could openly find help with their struggles. God worked powerfully through the ministry, bringing people into the light, fostering authenticity, and giving people relief from struggles like addiction, anxiety, and past abuse.
But something was missing. The change people experienced often remained compartmentalized within their “recovery” journey. If the presenting issue was under control, then recovery was understood to be concluded, and the principles were no longer needed. The ministry was perceived as something separate from the larger church body that only those with big, visible struggles needed, when in reality, everyone has room to grow. Many found healing but never took the next steps into deeper spiritual growth.
Watermark’s leadership became convinced that the goal of Christ-centered recovery had to be bigger than mere sobriety. Yes, God wants His people to be free from sin’s control, but more than just fixing their bad habits, He wants to transform their hearts, leading them into full devotion to Him. Nate Graybill envisioned a discipleship-centered approach to recovery, where addiction and brokenness were simply the starting points for a deeper walk with Christ.
That vision became Re:generation.
What Makes Re:generation Different?
Re:generation was built around one central goal: full devotion to Christ. Sobriety from an addiction or struggle isn’t the finish line—it’s just a milestone along the way. It’s an important milestone, of course. The ministry still effectively addresses addiction, echoing many principles found in popular recovery groups, like taking one day at a time and admitting your powerlessness over your struggle. But the focus was broadened to include anything hindering a person’s relationship with God and others.
Because true freedom comes only through daily dependence on Christ, the curriculum was designed with daily content to give participants the opportunity to encounter God every single day. It is a more demanding workload, but those who truly want to get well embrace it eagerly. Each day’s lesson opens and closes with a prayer, and all concepts are tied to foundational Scriptures.
By integrating discipleship into recovery, Re:generation not only transforms individuals—it strengthens the entire church. It’s amazing to watch the way God uses the example of one person’s heart change to spark change in the lives of the people close to them. Re:generation also reaches people who might never sign up for a traditional discipleship program. Those struggling with addiction or pain arrive humbled and ready to put in the hard work that life change requires. It also clearly identifies idols of the heart, brokenness, and sin patterns for those who have never struggled with addictions.
The Bible-based 12 steps provide a framework for spiritual formation, walking participants through lessons on how to share the Gospel, resolve conflict biblically, and cultivate spiritual disciplines like habitual Bible study and prayer. The curriculum intentionally connects participants to the broader church community, focusing on their common faith rather than defining them by their struggles. This emphasis on spiritual formation as the catalyst for healing is what sets Re:generation apart.
Re:generation By the Numbers
Since launching fully at Watermark in 2013, Re:generation has expanded to hundreds of churches and organizations. The impact speaks for itself. Among over 1,900 participants surveyed after completing the program:
- 96% experienced freedom from their primary struggle
- 93% gained biblical conflict-resolution skills
- 97% regularly confessed to God and a trusted person
- 94% embraced God’s forgiveness
- 94% were more likely to forgive others
- 88% had received forgiveness from others
- 97% learned to be open and honest
- 85% increased their time in God’s Word
- 93% relied on Scripture for decision-making
- 96% deepened their trust in God
- 92% strengthened relational trust with others
- 80% grew in their trust of the church
The Mission of the Church
Ultimately, the reason discipleship is the heart of Re:generation is that it is—or should be—the heart of everything we do as believers. Recovery is not a separate mission. It’s part of the Great Commission, Jesus' call for His followers to go out and make disciples of all people. God is recovering His people to bear His image. And if we ever find ourselves investing in something that doesn’t further that calling, it’s a sign to look long and hard at the way we’re doing things and see if there is a better way.
This means that discipleship can’t be an afterthought when the church ministers to hurting people. It should be built into the bones of the ministry. Sobriety is great, but it is not enough. It does not save. We think heart change (like those surveyed above) is a better measure for a recovery ministry than abstaining from sinful behavior.
Connecting People To Jesus
The church has nothing to offer a hurting world except Jesus and the life-changing power of His Spirit working through His Word and His people. No resource or program, no matter how helpful it might be, can serve as a viable substitute. Re:generation simply connects people daily to Jesus, the only true source of freedom and transformation.
Yes, part of that is shedding unhealthy coping mechanisms and breaking destructive cycles. But more than that, it means following Jesus in every area of life. “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
The difference has always been discipleship.
Learn more about Re:generation and how you can bring it to your church.
Find a local Re:generation group to attend.
About The Author
Nate Graybill
Nate serves as the National Director of Re:generation at Watermark Community Church.
Learn more about Nate here on his biography page.