If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be? That’s a compelling question posed by Scott Reall, author of “Journey to Freedom: Your Start to a Lifetime of Hope, Health and Happiness.” That, and Reall’s other books, are at the heart of Restore Ministries of the YMCA. Many have participated in the eight-week “Journey” Small Groups classes offered by Columbus’ Frank P. Phillips Memorial Y.
On Monday, the Y and Hope Community Church bring Reall, of Nashville, Tennessee, to speak at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. The free 6 p.m. event is open to the community.
Reall’s passion is for helping others break free from life-controlling issues such as fear, loneliness, shame, addiction, grief or the many other emotional or physical strongholds. It began while he was serving as senior wellness director for a Y in Nashville. After finding freedom for himself, he began to facilitate a recovery group and was approached by Thomas Nelson publishing company in 2005 to write the book “Journey to Freedom.” The book is used in the eight-week course now offered in Ys, churches, prisons and recovery centers around the world.
The Restore Small Groups mission statement invites anyone “desiring positive life change into a support small group centered on the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.”
Stephanie Gibson of the Columbus Y was trained by Reall in 2007 to be a group facilitator and recently wrapped up teaching her 30th Journey Small Group course.
“I have watched it change people’s lives over and over and over again,” Gibson said. “The process is amazing.”
YMCA Executive Director Andy Boyd said, “I am personally elated that my friend Scott Reall is coming to Columbus to share his story, his work and his passion for helping people. We at the Y understand that it is our social responsibility to support our community by investing in the lives of others. We do this best when we lift up the ‘C’ in YMCA.”
The “C” stands for “Christian.”
While in Columbus, Reall will also address residents and staff of the Last House on the Block, a residential sober living environment for men after they exit a treatment facility.
From Columbus to Kenya
The Columbus Y is expanding the Journey message worldwide. In 2011, Gibson made a connection with Cornel Onyango in Kenya, Africa. She sent 11 copies of “Journey to Freedom” so he could lead a small group through the course. Five of the 11 participants committed their lives to God and to full-time Christian service, Gibson said.
“Out of that experience, a Baptist church was born which currently serves 60 adults and more than 20 children,” she noted. Onynago is currently overseeing translation of “Journey to Freedom” to Swahili so the program can expand in Africa.
The book has already been translated into Russian and Spanish, and is being translated into French.
Reall’s message is that lasting and effective change is possible, that obstacles can be defeated, that tools are available to achieve positive change.
“Please join us Monday evening to hear Scott give his personal testimony of hope and freedom,” Gibson invited.
For more information, contact the Y at 662-328-7696.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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