How Grace Groups Began

Grace Groups are part of a greater organization called Open Hearts Ministry in Kalamazoo. Open Hearts Ministry (OHM) is the "mother" ministry for hundreds of Grace Group programs around the world. OHM is responsible for training the leaders of Grace Groups and producing its materials.

In 1988, Sandy Burdick founded OHM for use in her home church. Her program was based on a Wounded Heart seminar given by Dr. Dan Allender, a Christian counselor, author, and educator. It all started when women in Sandy's church began approaching her about their experiences with sexual abuse. Out of desperation, Sandy called Dr. Allender and asked him what she should do. He told her to get the women together and just start talking. The foundations of OHM were scribbled on a yellow legal pad as Sandy worked her way through that first group experience.

Open Hearts Ministry remained a local ministry until 1993, when the first training program was offered for small group leaders. Today, the training program is called Survivors of Abuse Leadership Training Seminar, better known as S.A.L.T.S. The first training included about 40 women from several states who expressed a strong desire for a regular annual training. In 1998, the first men's group was offered. Now a typical S.A.L.T.S. program includes 35-40% male participants. Currently OHM has bi-annual S.A.L.T.S. programs in Muskegon, Michigan, and additional training programs in Texas and California.

OHM is an inter-denominational ministry that boasts participation from over 25 different denominations. In 1995, OHM also became international when it started its work in Croatia. It later spread to Austria and 12 other European countries. Its presence is also felt in Mexico, Alaska and Canada. Open Hearts now has its manual in Spanish and offers translation services to Spanish speaking attendees of S.A.L.T.S.

Today, OHM, which started with one part-time employee, has a full-time Executive Director, Mark Bonham; an Administrative Director and two part-time office personnel. Each yearr OHM also benefits from 32,500 volunteer hours.

Our Local History

Grace Groups of Southwest Michigan were started at the Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph by Elaine Stoub (read Elaine's story below). In 2004, Elaine joined hands with leadership from another area church, The Chapel, an Evangelical Free Church. John Castady coordinates Grace Groups at The Chapel in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Today Grace Groups alternate between these two churches; the winter season takes place at the Christian Reformed Church and the fall season is held at The Chapel. For more information, please contact Bill & Elaine Stoub or John & Julie Castady.

"About 15 years ago stories of abuse were coming to me from women all around me. I didn't know how to respond to them. Then I was asked to help write an abuse policy for our church. After many seminars and reading everything I could find, I realized that I needed more training. Open Hearts Ministry offered a week-long training called S.A.L.T.S., Survivors of Abuse Leadership Training Seminar. I took the training and have been leading Grace Groups and training others to lead Grace Groups ever since. I am passionate about this ministry and watching how it changes lives--including mine! Healing is a life-long process. Groups provide a safe place to allow this healing to take place in community."

Elaine Stoub
Coordinator of Grace Groups at the Christian Reformed Church in St. Joseph, Michigan.