The program, created by John Baker and Rick Warren, began at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and expands on the Alcoholics Anonymous model, which emphasizes reliance on a higher power.

"We're not trying to replace [AA]," said Smith. "We're trying to do something in addition. We want to help them understand who that higher power is."

Eighty-five percent of the twenty people at the Madison, Wisconsin, chapter meeting are chemically dependent, estimates Rick Smith, pastor at Center Pointe Church, where chapter meetings are held.

Meetings at Center Pointe include of a low-cost meal, praise and worship songs, and separate male and female open sharing.

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