How “Jersey Girls” Brought Comfort to the World
What started in a New Jersey church now serves people globally
When Amy Bondon and her co-leader Lisa first began leading GriefShare groups in person, they had no idea their small-town ministry would eventually stretch across continents—reaching hearts as far as Nairobi, Kenya, from behind a computer screen.
But that’s exactly what happened.
A lifeline across time zones and cultures
Amy and Lisa, two longtime friends and “Jersey girls,” co-facilitated in-person GriefShare groups for years. But when the pandemic hit and Amy faced a cancer battle that kept her anchored near a treatment center in Florida, they made a bold leap into online ministry.
It wasn’t easy. Through trial, error, and a lot of prayer, Amy and her co-leaders adapted. Soon, people from all over the world were joining their Zoom group—not just from New Jersey, but from across the US and around the globe.
“We miss meeting in person,” Amy says. “But honestly, the virtual platform has become a place where God shows up in remarkable ways.”
Is online ministry impactful?
It’s a question many facilitators quietly ask: Can an online group have the same impact as an in-person one?
Amy answers with a resounding yes.
“There’s a real connection,” she says. “We’ve seen people cry, pray, and heal through a screen. God shows up anyway.”
One of those people was a woman from Nairobi, Kenya. Amy calls her “Gwen” for privacy.
Gwen’s sister had passed away suddenly in New Jersey. In her grief, she searched for a connection to her sister’s last home—and found Amy and Lisa’s GriefShare group.
“She wanted to feel close to her sister,” Amy explains. “She saw we were in New Jersey, and it made her feel like she was near her.”
Gwen joined the group faithfully, even though it meant logging in at 2:00 am Nairobi time. She faced delays getting her participant guide, struggled with internet access, and carried the compounded grief of a traumatic loss.
Yet Gwen kept showing up.
“Our group prayed for her, supported her, even helped connect her with someone who mentored her in her academic field,” Amy shares. “Now, she’s applying for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship—something she might not have pursued without this connection.”
Zoom doesn’t block the Holy Spirit
Amy’s group structure is intentional and straightforward: they open with prayer, watch the video together, and follow up with group discussion. The time is structured, but the Spirit is free to move.
“Every week, we see someone open up more, share something deeper,” Amy says. “Even those who start painfully shy eventually lean in. One participant will start talking about his dogs, and that opens the door to talk about his mom and his grief. It all matters.”
Amy credits much of the connection to prayer and preparation. “We pray before every session,” she says. “We plan. We stay on schedule, but most importantly, we listen.”
And that listening pays off. Amy’s group has witnessed healing, comfort, and even salvation through their screens.
“God had other ideas”
When Amy faced her cancer diagnosis, she assumed her time with GriefShare was over.
“I thought I’d never be able to lead again,” she admits. “I was too sick. I couldn’t travel. But God had other ideas.”
Today, she co-leads with Lisa in New Jersey and Hugh in South Florida, while Amy herself logs in from northern Florida. And the reach of their group continues to expand.
“It’s beautiful,” she says. “We’ve got people from New York, New Jersey, the South, even overseas. And they’re all grieving, but they’re not grieving alone.”
Start a group, change a life
Amy’s story is proof: you don’t need a physical building to build something meaningful. You just need a heart to serve—and a willingness to let God use what you have.
“You can create a meaningful group online,” Amy says. “We did. And it’s been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
Here’s how to start your online GriefShare group today.
