The Church Initiative 
The information on this page was last updated 9/16/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We help you mobilize teams of enthusiastic and dedicated lay leaders. So far, we've equipped over 30,000 churches worldwide for biblical, Christ-centered support group ministry.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The Church Initiative
PO Box 1739
Wake Forest, NC 27588
Website: www.churchinitiative.org
Phone: 800-395-5755
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 561889818
CEO/President: Steve Grissom
Chairman: Samuel Hodges
Board size: 9
Founder: Steve and Cheryl Grissom
Ruling year: 1995
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
The ministry creates and publishes video-based curriculums to help churches minister to people experiencing life crises.
Mission statement
We share Gods comfort with grieving divorced people by inspiring equipping churches to reach and help them
Statement of faith
1. We believe the Bible, in its original autographs, to be the inspired, only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (Psalm 12:6; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one in nature, attributes, and glory. (Isaiah 45:5; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 3:17, 13:14; Galatians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21)
3. We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless humanity, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Matthew 1:18-25, 4:23-25; Luke 5:12-15, 24:1-8; John 1:1-4, 14; 8:54-58; Acts 1:3-9; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:3-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Colossians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, faith and trust in Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:5-9; Titus 3:3-7)
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (John 16:7-15; Galatians 5:13-25; 1 Peter 1:1-2)
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of eternal damnation. (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44; Revelation 20:11-15)
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Ephesians 2:1-22, 4:3-6)
8. We believe that human sexuality is a gift from God and that: each person is wonderfully and immutably created as male or female; that marriage is a sacred covenant between one biological male and one biological female; and that sexual relations are to be exclusively expressed within biblical marriage. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-24; Proverbs 5:1-23; Matthew 19:3-6; Romans 1:18-27)
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
D
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1323 of 1538 | 56 of 75 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 983 of 1539 | 38 of 75 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1398 of 1539 | 65 of 75 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 965 of 1539 | 45 of 75 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $187,081 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 26% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 73% | 4% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 3% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 27% | 96% | 99% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 80% | 70% | 83% | 87% | 89% | 89% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 99% | 84% | 71% | 73% | 120% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 69% | 70% | 62% | 64% | 107% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 1% | 16% | 29% | 27% | -20% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 1% | 15% | 33% | 29% | -17% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 29% | 17% | 13% | 11% | 11% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.09 | 0.77 | 0.81 | 0.77 | 0.75 | 0.78 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.38 | 1.21 | 1.13 | 1.15 | 1.20 | 1.24 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.77 | 0.93 | 0.91 | 0.89 | 0.90 | 0.97 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.84 | 48.33 | 66.62 | 21.33 | 27.08 | 19.78 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.86 | 12.69 | 12.99 | 12.83 | 12.81 | 11.73 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 9% | 1% | 4% | 3% | 22% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 18% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 77% | 118% | 122% | 124% | 129% | 99% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $2,441,426 | $1,649,479 | $4,759,699 | $3,901,611 | $3,321,610 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $583,708 | $1,162,481 | $909,665 | $639,187 | $531,428 |
| Short-term investments | $3,803,754 | $3,882,050 | $26,366 | $23,373 | $22,679 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,828,888 | $6,694,010 | $5,695,730 | $4,564,171 | $3,875,717 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $793,083 | $839,458 | $875,835 | $891,285 | $942,129 |
| Other long-term assets | $620,269 | $5,296 | $6,084 | $5,123 | $5,831 |
| Total long-term assets | $1,413,352 | $844,754 | $881,919 | $896,408 | $947,960 |
| Total assets | $8,242,240 | $7,538,764 | $6,577,649 | $5,460,579 | $4,823,677 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $141,306 | $100,478 | $267,082 | $168,532 | $195,942 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $141,306 | $100,478 | $267,082 | $168,532 | $195,942 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $887,350 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $615,673 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $615,673 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $887,350 |
| Total liabilities | $756,979 | $100,478 | $267,082 | $168,532 | $1,083,292 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $7,485,261 | $7,438,286 | $6,310,567 | $5,292,047 | $3,740,385 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $7,485,261 | $7,438,286 | $6,310,567 | $5,292,047 | $3,740,385 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $258,140 | $38,874 | $3,135 | $5,798 | $3,549 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $357,903 | $221,848 | $78,640 | $2,670 | $1,614 |
| Other revenue | $5,785,692 | $6,964,618 | $7,068,678 | $5,659,382 | $3,126,462 |
| Total other revenue | $6,143,595 | $7,186,466 | $7,147,318 | $5,662,052 | $3,128,076 |
| Total revenue | $6,401,735 | $7,225,340 | $7,150,453 | $5,667,850 | $3,131,625 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $4,422,935 | $5,078,667 | $4,431,571 | $3,651,491 | $3,358,052 |
| Management and general | $1,833,256 | $1,013,206 | $645,319 | $465,170 | $406,712 |
| Fundraising | $68,249 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total expenses | $6,324,440 | $6,091,873 | $5,076,890 | $4,116,661 | $3,764,764 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $77,295 | $1,133,467 | $2,073,563 | $1,551,189 | ($633,139) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $77,295 | $1,133,467 | $2,073,563 | $1,551,189 | ($633,139) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Samuel J Hodges | President | $244,740 |
| Richard W Ragland | Sr. V.p. | $214,155 |
| Jenna Bonner | V.p. Customer Success | $163,853 |
| Joshua Macfarlane | VP Product, Data & Tec | $158,471 |
| Joel Hopkins | V.p. Marketing | $156,526 |
| Ryan Pletcher | Senior Software Developer | $141,264 |
| Stephen D Grissom | CEO/Chairman of the Board | $36,000 |
| Cheryl A Grissom | V.p./Secretary | $5,955 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/16/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Church Initiative was born out of Steve and Cheryl Grissom's journey of pain and loss. Although they found support in the local church, they realized that an untapped opportunity existed-equipping local churches to offer practical support groups to minister to people facing major life disruptions.
Armed with a new mission, Steve and Cheryl left their careers in broadcasting and pharmacy to pursue full-time ministry-what would eventually become Church Initiative. What began as a two-person nonprofit, today has over 30 team members and an international impact.
From the beginning, Church Initiative has combined a unique set of talents: Steve's journalism and business background and his deep passion for ministry. The result-a video-based series built around small group discussion, personal reflection, and a lay-led support structure.
In addition to the release of DivorceCare in 1994, Church Initiative has published three more major curriculums: GriefShare in 1998, DivorceCare for Kids in 2004, and Single & Parenting in 2011. The ministry has also released periodic updates to the curriculums, including recent versions for DivorceCare in 2012 and GriefShare in 2014.
Over the years, Church Initiative has remained committed to its central goal of equipping churches for frontline ministry to people experiencing life crises. Because many Church Initiative team members have a past that includes pain and loss, they wake up each day eager to come to work and see what the Lord will do next. Church Initiative's staff seek to equip churches to comfort others with the comfort they have received (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).