On our blog site at [http://www.mauihistorian.blogspot.com], there is a summary discussion of the Great Information Gap in Christian Recovery Today. That gap and all its details pertinent to Christian recovery lies in the lack of knowledge, training, and historical facts among sponsors, facilitators, counselors, treatment programs, rehabs, Christian recovery programs, Christ-centered recovery groups, and Christian Recovery Fellowships--not to mention the afflicted who are in treatment, in prison, at risk, homeless, in sober houses, and in counseling. See also "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery" [http://www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml] - a new class which tells the rest of the story.

Two examples of the Christian recovery information gap should suffice:

First, there are few today who write or know about the Christian origins, history, founding, original program, and successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935. All too many writers get off on the hook that A.A. emerged from the Oxford Group, but the details show a different picture.

Second, the real roots of the Christian recovery movement begin in the 1800's. The stellar event was the Great Awakening of 1875 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Centered around or springing out of that astonishing period came the real origins of A.A.'s biblical background and Christian program of recovery. They were: The revivals and conversions of evangelists like Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey; the programs of the rescue missions and the work of Jerry McAuley and Water Street Mission; the revivals and conversions emanating from the work of YMCA lay workers in Vermont; the unique efforts with derelicts and drunks by the Salvation Army; and the program that laid the foundation for the principles and practices used in early A.A.--the program of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.

There is much much more needed to fill in the gap, and that is what the foundational class is about.