155. CR for Students: The Landing155. CR for Students: The Landing
Hope in Recovery
Michael Summers and Justin talk about The Landing, a Celebrate Recovery ministry designed for students to address their hurts, habits and hang-ups in a safe, Christ‑centred community. They outline Justin’s story, the purpose of The Landing and how a typical Friday night looks for teens and their families.
31:21•21 Oct 2025
CR for Students: Inside The Landing and Its Safe Space for Teens
Episode Overview
- The Landing is Celebrate Recovery for students, giving teens a safe, judgment‑free space to work on hurts, habits and hang-ups.
- Justin shares how grief and isolation led him to Celebrate Recovery, where he finally felt able to drop the mask and be honest.
- Friday nights include shared meals, games, worship, teaching from the 12 steps and 8 principles, and a chance to take a blue surrender chip.
- Student small groups are age- and gender-specific with background‑checked adults, strong confidentiality, and a focus on listening rather than fixing.
- The Landing is part of a wider family ministry, helping kids, students and adults share common tools, language and hope for recovery together.
“Celebrate recovery was the first place where I really felt like I could be open to myself and say things and I didn't have to put on a mask or a performance for anyone.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol and other unhealthy coping habits while they’re still a teenager? This chat between Michael Summers and Justin gives a down‑to‑earth look at The Landing, Celebrate Recovery’s ministry for students. Right from the start, you’ll hear honest introductions: Michael shares his battles with sexual integrity, codependency and food issues, while Justin talks openly about lust, codependency and screen addiction. That honesty sets the tone for everything that follows.
Justin explains how grief after his father’s death pushed him towards Celebrate Recovery in 2020, where, in his words, “I really felt like I could be open to myself and say things and I didn’t have to put on a mask or a performance for anyone.” Out of his own loneliness as a kid in rural Arkansas grew a passion to be “that guy” who simply shows up, listens and models a different way for students.
The Landing is described as “celebrate recovery for students”, a place where teens can bring their hurts, habits and hang-ups into a judgment‑free space. Michael and Justin walk through a typical Friday night: shared meal with families, games and connection time, principles from the Beatitudes, worship, a quiet “zone time” to breathe, teaching through the 12 steps and 8 principles, and the powerful moment of taking a blue surrender chip to hand something over to God.
Small groups are split by age and gender, with background‑checked adults who simply say, “Thanks for sharing” instead of rushing to fix or lecture. Confidentiality is taken seriously, giving students rare space to be fully honest. They also stress that The Landing isn’t just for “troubled kids” – it’s part of a wider family ministry where kids, students and adults all learn common tools and language for recovery together.
If you’ve ever wished your younger self had a safe place to talk, this episode might have you asking: could that space exist for the teenagers in your life right now?
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