History

Church Initiative was founded in 1993 by Steve and Cheryl Grissom. Steve now serves as the president of Church Initiative. Cheryl serves as the ministry vice president. Here’s what led to the start of our ministry and how we’re serving local churches all over the world.

From DivorceCare to GriefShare

After experiencing the pain of divorce, Steve’s church played a key role in helping him heal. Once he was ready to resume active service in his local church, Steve felt burdened to make sure churches around the world would be prepared to help others going through divorce.

So, in 1993, Steve and his wife Cheryl designed and developed DivorceCare, a Christ-centered, video-based support group.

From there, Steve realized the need for more resource programs to help churches minister to people in other life crises, such as grief and addiction. In 1996, the ministry underwent a name change to Church Initiative, with a vision to create biblical, Christ-centered resources that mobilize lay people to help hurting people, within the context of the local church. The DivorceCare program was joined by GriefShare and other dynamic ministry tools created by Church Initiative to minister to people in a life crisis.

Today, over 19,000 churches are equipped with one or more Church Initiative ministry programs. Here are some of the programs we’ve developed:

DivorceCare, a seminar/small group resource to help people hurting because of separation and divorce

DivorceCare for Kids, DC4K, designed to bring healing to children of divorce and to give them hope and the tools to develop healthier relationships within their families

Choosing Wisely: Before You Divorce, a marriage crisis intervention tool designed to help prevent divorce and save families

Facing Forever, a fascinating study of the issues of life, death and eternity

Chance to Change, a Christ-centered gambling addiction recovery program to help gambling addicts find freedom from their addiction

Church Initiative has a strong commitment to provide ongoing support to churches using its materials. The ministry provides free consulting, promotional tools and an extensive leadership development website. In addition to the comprehensive leader training resources that come with each curriculum kit, Church Initiative has also developed “Boot Camp training on DVD,” which provides churches with a complete tool kit to host area training events for the DivorceCare, DC4K and GriefShare leadership teams.