When JD Wallace agreed to lead his first GriefShare group, he had no idea how long he’d stick with it. “It was way outside my comfort zone,” he says. “But I had to trust that the Holy Spirit would equip me for the task.”
Ten years later, he’d led 22 groups, launched online outreach during the pandemic, trained new leaders, and helped expand GriefShare to multiple campuses. And even after stepping away from active leadership, JD still champions the ministry every chance he gets.
JD’s GriefShare journey began with heartbreak. In 2013, he lost both of his parents within 18 hours of each other. Deep in grief, he joined a local GriefShare group and found a safe space to process the pain. What followed was unexpected: healing, purpose, and a calling to help others.
In 2014, JD led his first group. “I was like a deer in the headlights,” he recalls. “But as the weeks went on, I kept getting feedback that I was helping. That gave me the motivation to keep going.”
And he did for an entire decade.
It’s a question many leaders ask: Can I do this year after year? The emotional weight of grief ministry can be heavy. And the fear of burnout is real.
JD felt that too—but he learned how to serve faithfully without burning out. “Every time the church asked if I wanted to take a break, I would check in with myself. If it were still meaningful for me and for the participants, I’d say yes to another session.”
But he also knew when to pause. “I decided early on I would only do two sessions a year. Spring and fall. That gave me time to rest and recharge in the summer.”
If you’re wondering how to maintain that kind of healthy rhythm, check out LeaderCare, a series of short, encouraging videos created just for GriefShare leaders. They address the emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges you may face in ministry and offer practical ways to stay grounded and energized.
While your group ministers to your participants, LeaderCare ministers to you.
Longevity in ministry doesn’t mean doing everything—or doing it all the time. JD’s experience offers a few keys to staying in it for the long haul:
JD’s honesty about his journey is refreshing—and encouraging for anyone wondering if they have what it takes. “I was actually surprised how long I stuck with being a facilitator,” he says. “But as long as I was still hearing from participants that it was helping them, and I still felt called to it, I kept going.”
That kind of faithful leadership leaves a legacy. JD recognized the importance of building something that could outlast his personal involvement. He invested in raising up co-leaders and formed a strong team—one that could continue the ministry even during seasons when he stepped away.
You don’t have to lead forever. But even one session can change someone’s life—and maybe your own. Like JD, you may discover that your greatest heartbreak becomes your most significant ministry.
Whether you’re a new or seasoned leader, now’s the time to think about how your group can thrive long-term. Here’s how to build a lasting ministry.