Divorce Care

DivorceCare Ministry                   Cindy and Dennis Kessner, Co-Ministry Directors

 “I hate divorce”, says the Lord (MA 2:16)

Nobody likes divorce. It destroys families, severs relationships, and causes fortunes to vanish. People come to us broken, depressed, and angry, and we allow them to connect with the Lord and others who have healed from the same devastation. That's when the healing begins.

The DivorceCare Ministry has grown from a single program to a series of interactive, faith based support groups that help those who are suffering, or have never healed from separation or divorce, to regain their lives.

 The cornerstone of the Ministry, and the first program in the series, is the DivorceCare Support Group. Each Wednesday we present a stand alone module designed to focus healing in a specific area of hurt. The modules include Dealing with Depression, Anger, Kid Care, Financial Recovery and more. For more information, see www.divorcecare.org. DivorceCare meets in Room 210 in the Cedar Park High School. Please call Dennis or Cindy at 253-653-0702 or e-mail at divorcecare@cedarpark.org with questions.

As DivorceCare acts as the Emergency Room to treat the initial trauma of divorce, the next program, Divorce Care Boundaries, performs therapy for continued healing. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives. Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances. Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions. Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others.

After divorce, many people have to relearn the skills to protect their emotional assets. Boundaries are often blurred in intimate relationships. Divorce Care Boundaries help people build healthy Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual relationships for their personal and professional lives. Participants are encouraged to read the first four chapters before the start of the group.

 A wife has one driving need, to feel loved.  When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need, to feel respected. When that is met, he is happy.  When either of these needs aren’t met, things get crazy. Love and Respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily, and biblically.

This 14 week program is based on the book “Love and Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.  This program is designed for couples but our emphasis is on separated or divorced singles who gain insight about prior relationships and develop skills for current and future relationships. Discussions will focus on the participants experiences leading up to separation and divorce.

Two day intensives are also available. Due to time limitations, discussion is very limited. Check the Events List at the top of the page for proposed dates.

Participants are encouraged to read the book prior to the start of either group. For more information, you may e-mail divorcecare@cedarpark.org with questions.

The DivorceCare Ministries is not just work. We feel it is important to develop same sex freindships for support and entertainment. We schedule quarterly, family outings including picnics, baseball and hockey games, and Movie Nights. A great amount of encouragement comes from alumni who have worked through their pain and have regained their sense of worth and direction.

The DivorceCare Ministries is growing through an awareness of the devastation of divorce and from the Lord bringing us helpers. Our list of potential programs include the “DivorceCare for Kids” (DC4K) program and “An Act for Forgiveness” group. Our growth is dependant on the call from Christ for facilitators and helpers both infront and behind the scenes. If you are lead to serve, please call Dennis or Cindy at 253-653-0702