From Participant to Leader: The Power of Personal Transformation
When April Ferree first walked into a DivorceCare group, she was in survival mode. But by the end of her journey, she wasn’t just surviving—she was leading.
Her healing came full circle when she stepped into leadership and began helping others experience the same hope and transformation that changed her life.
From heartbreak to hope
In 2022, April’s 22-year marriage came to an end. Devastated and unsure where to turn, she followed the advice of a trusted friend and found a DivorceCare group.
“My supervisor described it as a lifeline,” April says. “And that’s exactly what it was.”
The first few sessions were painful—but healing followed. As April progressed through two complete 13-week cycles, she began to feel something stir in her heart: You’re going to lead one day.
“I didn’t ignore that nudge,” she says. “God was already preparing me.”
When healing becomes a calling
At the time, April couldn’t have imagined herself leading anything. But through DivorceCare, God rebuilt her from the inside out.
She didn’t just find comfort. She found clarity, purpose, and the courage to offer others what she had received.
“I knew the new normal needed to be something different—and God led me there,” April says.
As soon as the finalization of her divorce occurred, she launched a brand-new DivorceCare ministry at her childhood church in York County, Pennsylvania. The timing was unmistakably divine. When she called the church to ask about starting a group, the staff told her, “We were just talking about that—and your name came up.”
“I didn’t think I could lead. Now I’m training others.”
Like many participants, April once doubted whether she was qualified to lead. But she quickly learned that God doesn’t waste pain. Instead, He uses it to equip leaders with empathy, wisdom, and a deep understanding of what others are going through.
Today, April isn’t just leading—she’s multiplying the ministry. She’s mentoring others in her church to carry the DivorceCare ministry forward. Her impact is already spreading through her church and community.
“I had someone in my group tell me they knew they would lead one day,” she says. “I encouraged them—don’t ignore that feeling. God uses your toughest experiences to encourage someone else.”
A transformation that multiplies
April’s transformation is more than personal—it’s contagious. Her leadership has created a ripple effect: repeat participants helping facilitate conversations, past group members starting a singles community, and guests walking in off the street because they saw the banner outside.
“I started a singles social group after my first session,” she says. “People just needed connection—something life-giving and fun. We’ve gone ax-throwing, out to dinner, and to church events together. It’s about helping people find a new normal.”
The woman who once sat in the back of a DivorceCare group, broken and unsure, now stands at the front—offering joy, structure, encouragement, and hope.
You might be next
If you’ve ever thought, Maybe I could lead one day, April’s story is proof that you can.
“I used to coach,” she says. “That was hard. But DivorceCare is so lovingly prepared—every detail is there to support every step of the way. You’re never doing it alone.”
God often uses the most broken parts of our lives to do His most beautiful work. April’s life is evidence of that.
You’ve walked the road. Now guide others.
Discover 5 ways God can use your divorce for good.
