Re:generation recovery grew out of the vision of Watermark Community Church that life change happens best in an authentic community of people helping one another live out God's plan for life by working through biblical principles together. Watermark began its recovery ministry in 2002 as one way (of many) to fulfill this vision. In the following years the ministry grew to serve several hundred participants weekly with many lives being transformed by God. After much prayer, in 2011, Watermark's recovery ministry set out to develop a new curriculum that would provide daily, structured opportunities for people to heal and grow in their relationships with God and others. In 2016, we began making Re:generation available to other churches. 

The word regeneration means "new birth." The colon in our name, Re:generation creates double-meaning for the word: "regarding" or "concerning" a generation. At Re:generation, we are people who have been given new life by God and long to share the freedom, love and joy we have received from Him with this generation. 

"For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." 

Titus 3:3-7

If we could describe the Re:generation difference in one word, that word would be discipleship. Re:generation is spiritual formation through the vehicle of recovery. Our goal for participants is full-devotion to Christ in all areas of life.

With this as our foundation, some of the main differences between Re:generation and other recovery ministries include: a discipleship focus, daily lessons, emphasis on scripture memory and prayer, integration and participation with the church, real time leadership training, no separation based on struggle, and lastly, extended curriculum for victims of abuse.

For an additional resource, read our How Re:Generation is Different than Celebrate Recovery page.

Re:generation is structured within the context of small groups. The first two months are spent in a Groundwork group. Once the participant completes the Groundwork curriculum, demonstrates a willingness to participate, and decides they want to move forward, they are placed into a step-group to go through the 12 steps. Step-groups have a set number of participants and leaders. Once a step-group is launched, no new members are added. For the next 8 to 10 months participants progress through the steps using daily curriculum alongside other step-group members. 

The entire Re:generation process takes about a year. Groundwork groups take about 2 months; step-groups take 8 to 10 months. The Groundwork curriculum lessons take participants roughly 15 minutes per day and the step-group curriculum takes about 30 minutes per day. Spending 30 minutes a day with God for one year while working on your recovery can change your life. 

Most Re:generation groups begin the meeting with everyone gathered together worshiping and hearing testimonies or a teaching. The large gathering then breaks into smaller groups. Newcomer groups, groundwork groups and step-groups all meet separately for the remainder of the evening. The gathering lasts about 2 hours for participants and 3 hours for leaders if there is a leader dinner meeting beforehand.

A typical ministry night schedule often looks like:

• 5:30PM - Leader dinner meeting
• 6:30PM - Big group meeting for all participants and leaders
• 7:30PM - Small group meetings for participants and leader training. The evening includes: first-time guesets groups, Groundwork groups (first 7+ weeks of recovery), step groups, new leader training, mentor training, inventory training, and commencement celebrations.
• 8:30PM - Fellowship time

There are no licensing fees to bring Re:generation to your church. Any costs incurred by a church would be the same as launching any new ministry. A church will purchase books from Watermark Resources and usually resell them to participants. A church may incur some expenses for travel and conference fees. 

All small groups are split by gender, but not by presenting struggle. Groups with mixed struggles help participants to focus more on the spiritual brokenness behind their struggles (heart transformation). Mixed-struggle groups also help equip leaders to provide biblical counsel across multiple struggles, making them more effective ministers of the gospel in all spheres of influence.

• Groundwork Groups: Groundwork groups are always open to new participants. Participants can come as infrequently as they desire. To advance to a step group, participants must show consistency in attendance and complete the Groundwork curriculum.
• Step Groups: Step groups often have an 8-participant to 1-leader ratio. Step groups are closed to new participants once launched. Participants have small group leader support, accountability with other group participants, and a mentor outside of the group. A step group typically takes about 9 months to complete the 12-step curriculum.