Lifesong room

Faith-Based Support Groups for Bereaved Parents Find support alongside people who deeply understand

As with all of our While We’re Waiting events, our goal at these meetings is to point grieving parents to our only true source of comfort, Jesus Christ. Although our topics of discussion may be painful, and tears will be inevitable, our desire will be to honor God by seeking how we can live well while we’re waiting to be reunited with our children some day.

Support Group FAQ's

Who are the facilitors? Have they lost a child?

Every group facilitator has lost a child. We believe this is a very important piece of being able to walk alongside you in your own journey of child loss. 

Each facilitator has also attended at least one of our retreats and fostered a close relationship with our leaders. We trust them to walk in wisdom and Godly counsel as they facilitate their local support groups. 

Are facilitators trained counselors?

All of our support groups are facilitated by parents who have experienced the death of a child. None of us has any training in grief counseling, and attending this group should not be viewed as a substitute for professional counseling. We are just parents who are walking this road of grief, a few years ahead of some folks, and decades behind others.

That’s why we use the term “facilitating” … We will all be learning from each other. Each meeting is based around a particular Scripture passage and will address a specific topic faced by grieving parents.

How much do groups cost?

Our groups, just like our retreats, are 100% free to belong to!

While We're Waiting is a 501(c)3 non-profit that operates entirely off of generous donations

Who can attend these groups?

Anyone who has lost a child is welcome to come. You are welcome if your child has been in Heaven for thirty days or for thirty years. You are welcome if your child was stillborn and never took a single breath, or if your child lived to be an adult and had a family of his or her own. come, knowing you will be surrounded by people who care, who understand, and who will pray for you.

This will be a safe place, a place where we can discuss our struggles, knowing we will not be judged, because every one of us has been there at one time or another. We will also share our victories, and rejoice with each other as we move along the road toward healing.

Can I lead a support group in my area?

If you would like more information about facilitating a group in your area, please contact Jill Sullivan at 501-881-8851.

Our board has set a stipulation that those who would like to facilitate a group attend one of our While We’re Waiting Weekend events, or attend three of our Hot Springs area support group meetings. We like to get to know our facilitators on a personal basis!

Prospective facilitators must also complete an application, provide two letters of reference, and agree to both our While We’re Waiting Statement of Faith and our While We’re Waiting Statement of Beliefs. All facilitators must be approved by our board of directors.

A Virtual Chapter

A Virtual Chapter

Zoom Meeting

Facilitated by

Ron and Nan Deal

Alabama

Alabama

Huntsville Chapter

Facilitated by

Scott and Karen Harmening

Arkansas

Arkansas

Blytheville Chapter

Facilitated by

Mark and Jennifer Martin

Arkansas

Bryant Chapter

Facilitated by

Howard and Joy Tucker

Arkansas

Hot Springs Chapter

Facilitated by

Brad and Jill Sullivan

Arkansas Moms Only

Jonesboro Chapter

Arkansas

Magnolia Chapter

Facilitated by

Greg and Cheryl Sanders

Arkansas

North Little Rock Chapter

Facilitated by

Kevin and Debbie Russell

Arkansas

Pine Bluff Chapter

Facilitated by

Greg and Cheryl Sanders

Arkansas

Siloam Springs Chapter

Facilitated by

Don and Deondra Chamberlain

Arkansas

Springdale Chapter

Facilitated by

Michael and Michelle Moore

Arkansas Moms Only

Wynne Chapter

Facilitated by

Beth Ratliff

Arkansas

Wynne Chapter

Facilitated by

Mike and Debbie Greer

California

California

El Centro Chapter

Facilitated by

Taylor and Rose Holmes

California

Gilroy Chapter

Facilitated by

Frank and Indra Carlos

California Moms Only

San Leandro Chapter

Facilitated by

Denise Leytem and Ijere Minor

Illinois

Illinois

Edwards

Facilitated by

Ryan and Rosie Siebenthal

Illinois

Metamora Chapter

Facilitated by

Wendy Dubois

Illinois

Mount Carmel Chapter

Facilitated by

Chris and Tina Howton

Indiana

Indiana

Fort Wayne Chapter

Facilitated by

Dan and Kristin Naylor

Iowa

Iowa

Fort Dodge Chapter

Facilitated by

Jerry and Kelle VanVacter

Kansas

Kansas

Wichita Chapter

Facilitated by

Bob and Justine King

Louisiana

Louisiana

Pineville Chapter

Facilitated by

Tommy and Susan Cartwright

Maryland

Maryland

Street Chapter

Facilitated by

Arlo and Capri Weiskopf

Michigan

Michigan

Albion Chapter

Facilitated by

Buddy and Debra Sebastian

Minnesota

Minnesota

Bigfork Chapter

Facilitated by

Chris and Erin Carlberg

Mississippi

Mississippi

Madison Chapter

Facilitated by

Clyde and Julie Graham

Missouri

Missouri

Ash Grove

Facilitated by

Linda Brown

Missouri

Bonne Terre Chapter

Facilitated by

Mike and Kim Canania

Missouri

Hannibal Chapter

Facilitated by

Bob and Susan Wathen

Missouri

Kansas City area Chapter

Facilitated by

Terry & Joy Young and Michael & Julie Coram

Missouri

Oronogo Chapter

Facilitated by

Ward and Tanya Thomas

Nevada

Nevada

Sparks Chapter

Facilitated by

Jim and Carol Smitherman

North Dakota

North Dakota

Fargo Chapter

Facilitated by

Troy and Jana Solhjem

North Dakota Moms Only

Lisbon Chapter

Facilitated by

Jana Solhjem

Ohio

Ohio

Orville Chapter

Facilitated by

Michael and Judy Hostetler

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Bartlesville Chapter

Facilitated by

Randy and Sara Stayton

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Chapter

Facilitated by

Reed and Grace Whitnah

Oklahoma

Sapulpa Chapter

Facilitated by

James and Tricia Bell

Oregon

Oregon

Redmond Chapter

Facilitated by

Matt and Stacie Zachary

South Carolina

South Carolina

Greenville/Spartanburg Chapter

Facilitated by

Blake and Jennifer Mullinax

Tennessee

Tennessee

Bartlett Chapter

Facilitated by

Jason and Robin Hargrove

Tennessee

Chattanooga Chapter

Facilitated by

Jason and Amy Carter

Tennessee

Fayetteville Chapter

Facilitated by

Kevin and Wendy Hammons

Tennessee

Oakland Chapter

Facilitated by

Sean and Heather Ellis

Texas

Texas Moms Only

Austin Chapter

Facilitated by

Mitzi Reese

Texas

Bryan Chapter

Facilitated by

Nathan and Cherie Sivils

Texas

Frisco Chapter

Facilitated by

John and Terisa Poirier

Texas

Medina Chapter

Facilitated by

David and Lacy Rogers

Texas

Waco Chapter

Facilitated by

Sam and Barbara Wilson

Texas

The Woodlands Chapter

Facilitated by

John and Anne Downs

Washington

Washington

Bothell Chapter

Facilitated by

John and Dori Shane

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Fond du Lac Chapter

Facilitated by

Leland and Melanie Christenson