With the U.S. elderly population expected to nearly double by 2040, the GriefShare support group program offers churches a vital ministry outlet.

Contact: Steve Grissom, Founder and President, Church Initiative, 919-562-2112, sgrissom@churchinitiative.org

WAKE FOREST, N.C., July 22, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pastors, church staff, and lay leaders searching for ways to improve their church's bereavement, pastoral care, and outreach ministries have an easy new solution: a fresh, updated edition of GriefShare, a 13-week support group course that ministers to those mourning the loss of a loved one.

With a rapidly aging population in the United States -- the number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to nearly double by 2040 -- more individuals and families than ever face the challenges of grief, giving churches that use GriefShare a unique angle of ministry.

"The need for GriefShare has never been greater, so this update couldn't arrive at a better time," said Steve Grissom, president of Church Initiative, the nonprofit that publishes GriefShare. "Fresh and innovative, the new version of GriefShare is built on 15 years of experience working with local churches to provide ministry to grieving people. This collaboration has helped us create ministry tools that are deeper and richer than ever before."

Here's what GriefShare group members experience during a weekly meeting:

• A magazine-style video seminar featuring insights from 46 leading Christian experts on grief and recovery subjects
   
• Profiles of people who have experienced healing following a loss
   
• A small group discussion
   
• Workbook and journaling exercises during days between the weekly sessions

Mastered in crisp, beautiful HD video, the newest update of GriefShare includes hours of all-new content:

• Powerful new testimonial interviews
   
• New insights from an expanded lineup of respected contributors
   
• Compelling new mini-dramas
   
• Updated and expanded leadership training and workbook materials

Today, over 12,000 churches worldwide are equipped to offer GriefShare. Pastors and care ministry workers have found the biblically based support groups an invaluable outreach tool. As GriefShare support groups become established in churches, they become known throughout communities as places where people can get help.

"GriefShare brings people to your church who are desperately hurting, desperately looking for answers," said Nancy Guthrie, who cohosts GriefShare with her husband, David. "They are so open to find something to soothe their pain, to find some answers for their questions. And I think GriefShare does that like nothing else."

For ordering information, visit the GriefShare website or call the Church Initiative offices at 800-395-5755. For interview requests, contact Church Initiative president Steve Grissom at sgrissom@churchinitiative.org or 919-562-2112.

ABOUT CHURCH INITIATIVE
Church Initiative is nondenominational, nonprofit ministry serving more than 20,000 churches worldwide. From its headquarters in Wake Forest, North Carolina, the ministry creates and publishes video-based teaching materials to help churches minister to people experiencing life crises. Church Initiative programs include GriefShare, DivorceCare, Single & Parenting, and DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids).