WS Chronicle

After months of planning, preparation and training, the Stephen Ministry at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church (UMMBC) has successfully concluded it first DivorceCare recovery seminar.

Nine program participants met for 13 weeks on Monday evenings from Sept. 16 through Dec. 9, 2013 for DivorceCare, a video seminar series featuring some of the nation’s foremost experts on divorce and recovery topics and led by facilitators. The video seminars are combined with support group discussion of the materials presented during the video program.

A broad range of topics were covered during the 13-week seminar, including how to face anger, loneliness and depression, developing new relationships, financial survival and single sexuality, reconciliation and forgiveness, moving on and growing closer with God.

“This program was really a blessing for me. I had given up on myself and life itself. I was just going through the motion of everyday life, not really wanting to he here, but I knew that I had a son to raise,” one participant shared in a post seminar survey. “This group brought a new joy in my life and now life is so much better. I can go throughout the day and not cry anymore. Each day gets better and better. I can’t say enough good things about our facilitators, the warmth and compassion they showed me. I am really grateful for the DivorceCare Seminar.”
“I feel like the program was successful,” said DivorceCare facilitator and divorcee Carlton Ray. “There was healing and bonding, and we were able to point people to Christ.”

Another participant stated, “It is good to know that when life throws you a curve ball or deals you a bad hand, you can be strengthened through prayer and the body of Christ putting together a program such as this one. Christians need each other and we need to continue bonding together and standing up for the One in whom we trust, so that we can be examples to non-believers. I am grateful for the prayers of all the leaders, staff, facilitators and members who made this experience possible.”

UMMBC Senior Pastor Prince R. Rivers was pleased with the outcome of the
DivorceCare seminar and the work of the Stephen Ministry.
“After meeting each of the participants, it was obvious that everyone involved was grateful for the wise, compassionate ministry of DivorceCare,” he said. “We believe God heals the broken hearted so we are pleased to make this opportunity available to the entire community.”

Learn more at www.divorcecare.org. For more information about Stephen Ministry, visit http://www.stephenministries.org. Preparation and planning has started for the next seminar, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 4. For additional information, contact the church office at church@unitedmetropolitan.org or call 336-761-1358.