Central Park United Methodist Church in St. Paul, Minn. is one of only about six churches in the country dedicated chiefly to recovery, Hazelden reported on July 24.

Rev. Jo Campe, or 'Pastor Jo,' began to revive the church five years ago. His first Sunday sermon had a meager audience of 11, but when he began to offer recovery-oriented services, the congregation boomed.

'Fifty people came at first, then 100,' said Campe, a recovering alcoholic. 'Six months later, we held one every Sunday until that got too big. Then we just got out of God's way.'

The church now accommodates about 1,200 visitors a week.

Campe holds 'Recovery of Hope' worship services twice every Sunday morning and 'Happy Hour' services each Saturday evening, followed by refreshments and recovery-oriented meetings, speakers and events.

Though it is officially a Methodist church, Central Park welcomes all backgrounds and creeds.

'I would say about 90 percent of the congregation were 'unchurched' when they first came here,' said Campe. 'They leave saying, 'This feels like family.' There are many ways to come to God, and those who come here are free to believe as they chose. But they all believe in recovery.'

For more information, visit www.centralparkchurch.org or contact Rev. Jo Campe at 651-291-1371.