Christ-centered DivorceCare helps give hope to adults and children who are
suffering the effects of divorce.
By Kelly Gillett, Living Stones News Writer
It is highly probable that divorce has touched all of us either directly or
indirectly — personal experience, family members, friends and/or acquaintances.
We’ve heard the statistics: More than half of all first marriages end in
divorce. What you might not be aware of is that 76 percent of second, 87 percent
of third and 93 percent of fourth marriages fail.
While the numbers are somewhat shocking, the overall effects of divorce are
staggering.
Jeff De Zeeuw is the coordinator for DivorceCare in the Sioux Falls,
S.D., region. According to De Zeeuw, DivorceCare is a program that aims
“to help people through the grieving process (of divorce)” and “to
sincerely help children, who suffer the most, go through this process.” |
In rare instances, you may be able to uncover an “easy,” pain-free divorce.
In reality, the emotional and physical fallout of divorce can be substantial.
Even in necessary situations, divorce is likely to produce anger, anxiety,
resentment, depression, some type of physical illness and financial hardships.
The biggest impact of divorce rests heavily on the shoulders of the children
caught in the middle of a situation they really do not understand and have
nothing to do with. The effects are immediate and are likely to continue
throughout their lives.
It may feel as though there is very little we can offer these children and their
parents to help them move through and beyond the pain and difficulties divorce
creates. However, there is something of
great value we can give them … hope. The word itself is as
uplifting as its effects. Hope for many may come in the form of an organization
called DivorceCare — a divorce recovery program based on Biblical content.
DivorceCare (now part of Church Initiative, Inc.) was founded in
1993 in Wake Forest, N.C., and is a growing network of 10,000 churches worldwide
that meet to support, encourage and assist others to discover hope, find help
for their pain and to experience God’s healing through divorce.
Jeff De Zeeuw is the DivorceCare coordinator for the Sioux Empire region. His
home base is the Good News Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he also
facilitates a DivorceCare group. De Zeeuw’s goal is “to eliminate divorce and to
continue to help people through the grieving process” of divorce and “to
sincerely help children, who suffer the most, go through this process.”
DivorceCare is a 13-week program that seeks to provide support to individuals
who often feel isolated and alone. This program consists
of three components:
• Video seminars on topics such as loneliness, depression, anger, kid care,
financial survival, forgiveness, getting closer to God, and healing hosted by
experts in the fields of psychology, and family and marriage counseling;
• A support group focused on the video topics and areas of concern for the
DivorceCare members;
• Personal time between sessions for reflection, spiritual growth, personal
study, prayer and journaling.
Also available to assist families through divorce is DivorceCare for Kids
(DC4K), a program specifically designed to help children through the painful
process of divorce. To find out more about this program and/or to locate a
DivorceCare or DC4K group in your area, log on to
www.divorcecare.org and
use your zip code to find a group and make contact.
There are 12 churches in the Sioux Empire hosting the DivorceCare program. De
Zeeuw would like to see that number grow significantly throughout the Upper
Midwest. If you are a church interested in starting a group, please contact Jeff
De Zeeuw at Good News Reformed Church in Sioux Falls (605) 651-0076.
DivorceCare offers the opportunity to eliminate the stigma that is often placed
on divorce, to reach out to others struggling through a difficult and dark time
in their lives, to make a difference in the lives of the children of divorce and
to offer hope.
“At a time when everything in my world was in upheaval, DivorceCare provided a
foundation for rebuilding my life on the truth and assurance of the love of
Jesus Christ,” a recent participant in the DivorceCare program testifies. “The
wealth of information and insight provided in the videos, in combination with
the friendship and support of other participants gave me the strength and
encouragement to face the changes that were occurring in my life with courage
and integrity. DivorceCare provided a place where no matter what I was
experiencing, I could feel safe and loved. More than anything, my experience
with DivorceCare brought me hope. In spite of the pain, the confusion, the
uncertainty, I found hope and peace in the love and mercy of Jesus and in the
other participants who were willing to walk alongside me in the journey.”
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans
15:13