Ministry Spotlight: GriefShare
Tell about the history and mission of your group
GriefShare is a Christian based support group that helps people work through their grief after the death of someone they loved. It is a confidential and safe place to bring your sorrows, share with others who are going through similar sorrows, and get help with healing. Willowbrook Baptist’s GriefShare group was started in 2000 by Cheri Roger, a licensed counselor who has since moved out of state. The program is supported by the church and through private donations. We reach out to anyone in the community who is experiencing grief from a death, and our program is free to all participants. The series lasts 13 weeks. Each session is “self-contained,” so people can start at any time. We offer the series three times during the year with a four week break in between each one. All of our facilitators are prior participants who have experienced significant losses and are an example of how healing and restoration can occur. A typical night consists of a 30 – 45 minute video, followed by a break and then about one hour of group discussion. Participants are then encouraged to complete the exercises in their workbooks each day until the next session. We meet on Monday nights from 6:00-8:00pm. Come in the front doors of the church and follow the signs on the floor to Room 181. For those that are experiencing grief, I promise that if you will come and participate, you will get better.
How do you see Jesus at work here?
Prayer and a personal relationship with our Lord is emphasized and encouraged throughout our sessions but is not pushed on anyone. When people first start they are often mad at God and don’t understand why He let their loved one die. We discuss this openly and honestly, sharing our own angers and resentments and then discuss how we turned our hurting to healing. To see the Lord at work in people is both gratifying and amazing. Even more amazing is to see some of those who hurt the most later become one of our facilitators. Becoming closer to God is a large part of healing.
What are your needs?
Our GriefShare is self-supportive through Willowbrook as well as donations received through the community. We have always felt we should offer our program free to everyone. Donations are welcome and can be made through the church, just specify: “For GriefShare Ministry”
How can someone get involved?
If you or someone you know is interested in attending GriefShare at Willowbrook, or if you just want more information you can call:
Lee Adcox, Director of Grief Recovery 256-527-3311
Willowbrook Baptist Church is located at 7625 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, AL 35802
To see other locations where GriefShare is offered, just go to GriefShare.org/find a group
One Comment
Hello!
Lee will be taking a break from leading Grief Share for the next 8 months to take a trip with his family. If you would like to contact someone about this ministry, please call me at 256-426-5158.
Thank you!
Mary Jo Bergstue