‘REGENERATION AND RENEWAL’ CENTRE
Offering Spiritual Help and Therapy
for those with Life-Controlling Problems
(Especially Drug Dependents)
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He Saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy – by the washing of Regeneration and Renewal in the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:4-6)
The G.P Rehabilitation (‘Regeneration and Renewal’) Centre was formed in September, 1991. Initially, Dave Bakewell and Chris Sekar were ministering to drug addicts found taking their drugs in and around the St. Andrew’s compound. The possibility of full time ministry – a Drug Rehabilitation Centre, was discussed with Geoff Matthews and his wife Prema during their visit to Malaysia from UK in 1990. Alan Swanson (the incoming pastor) and the Church agreed to help pioneer and support such a Centre and thus corresponded with Geoff and Prema in England, who prayed and decided this was God’s will for them to return to Malaysia and start the work. In September, Green Pastures was begun in Kelang, by Geoff and Prema, with Chris and Sue Sekar, and with the help of a small ‘interim’ Committee of St Andrew’s members, headed by elder Garry Prior, along with monthly financial support from the Church. After one year, Chris Sekar moved onto Bible School. Then, after two and a half years in Kelang, at the end of 1993, the G.P Centre moved to Jalan Kelang Lama in Kuala Lumpur, where it has been since the move.
THE CENTRE PROGRAMME
The leadership believes that the problem of Chemical (Drug) abuse is best seen as (ultimately) a ‘Spiritual problem with a Spiritual answer’. The evidence points to Christian Programmes having the most (and lasting) success, for they bring genuine character change in a sincere person – from within, not just ‘cosmetic’! The ‘leopard’ indeed can and does ‘change his spots’!
THE PROGRAMME is basically based upon the ‘Teen Challenge model’, pioneered in the early sixties by Dave and Don Wilkerson – with Spiritual activities and impartation taking precedence. The student / addict is first and foremost encouraged to believe in and receive Jesus into his life, and taught the ‘Way of Jesus’. As the ‘seeker’ responds through faith and repentance to the message and life of Jesus, he (you) will get a new start to life – a new life, and the ability and help to change!
THE PROGRAMME is highly structured, with its Routines, Disciplines, Activities, Spiritual Therapy daily. It runs for approximately Eighteen Months in Five Phases. The 1st – 4th Phase are the ‘In-House’ Phases, with fairly close supervision. The 5th Phase is the ‘Re-entry’ Phase, with the student either going out to work, or preparing for ‘serving the Lord’’; thus having more freedom. (Still staying in the Centre or the Centre’s ‘House 2’). The Centre can take a maximum of 11 students at one time.
STAFF TEAM AT PRESENT:
Geoff (Leader, Co-ordinator) / Prema (Accounts and Overseeing any Catering work) / Cornelius (Second-in-Command. Overseeing Centre and outside Work Projects) / Thomas (Overseeing Centre, Marketing, etc; General work, Grass Cut Projects) / Adam (Overseeing Centre, Kitchen and Catering, Gardening).