Marc's story

My childhood left scars that seemed they could never heal. Born to unwed teen parents, I experienced a difficult life. When I was 11, my father asked me to hand-deliver his suicide note to my mother. And though my teen years were relatively normal, the effects of my past and my choices as an adult would devastate my life. 

I met my wife Sharon and we had three boys. College and work strained our relationship and Sharon broke down. She needed me to be a husband and father. I quit school but became bitter and vowed to leave once the kids were old enough. Eight years later I decided that time had come. I had convinced myself that Sharon didn’t love me and neither did the boys, so I left my family and filed for divorce.

After I left, I began reading the Bible and going to church, looking for something to fill the hole in my life. I had no idea who God was until someone explained Him to me. Months of reading Scripture changed how I saw myself: I was a sinner. The life I had created for myself was not the life God intended for me to live. I began to understand how I could honor Him: forgive, love, obey, believe and follow Christ.

In July 2010, I prayed to God that I would live the rest of my life in service to Him. I lost everything, including my job and home, and I had to start over, but I was willing to sacrifice everything for Christ. In September, Sharon and I began to talk civilly and God began to redeem our marriage.

Sharon and I attended groups and classes offered at CCC, as well as Sunday worship. Through Relationships 101, DivorceCare, Love & Respect, Redemption, Men of Integrity and Theophostic Prayer Ministry, we grew spiritually and continue to grow in our relationships with our children, family members, friends, each other, and most importantly, with God.

–Marc Montanye

Addictions

Tuesdays / 7 PM

Battling addictions to alcohol and other drugs can cause instability, guilt, and even shame in a person's life and the lives of those around them. Addictions can also cause men and women to put up walls around their hearts and emotions. Join others who have faced the same challenges in a non-judgmental environment to tear down the walls that keep us from living a life filled with forgiveness and freedom through the love of Christ Jesus.

For more info, contact Marc Montanye / marcm@cccomaha.org

Career Networking

Tuesdays / 7 PM

Looking for work or looking for quality candidates for a position?

For the unemployed/underemployed:

The Omaha Career Networking (OCN) group offers job hunting tips, free professional advice on how to sharpen job hunting skills, professional speakers, programs, encouragement, and other resources to its members. For more information, visit omahacareernetworking.org.

For Employers:

OCN members are valuable individuals that wish to make a difference for their next employer.  That could be you. Submit available positions at omahacareernetworking.org/employers.

DivorceCare

Tuesdays / 7 PM

Separation and divorce can be the most painful and stressful experiences you'll face. It's a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you've never faced before. DivorceCare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding.

For more info, contact Mary Lou Rodgers / marylrodgers@yahoo.com

Forming: Change by Grace  

Thursdays / 7 PM

Experience a fresh approach to growth and restoration that may be very different from what you have tried before. Instead of relying on willpower and self-effort to bring about change, we help you build a relationship with God that is vibrant enough to change you from the inside out. Learn how to align your sail to catch the wind of God’s Spirit through in-class experiential learning exercises. Topics include prayer as conversation, solitude, self-rejection, fear, and relational maturity. Study commitment: 1–2 hours weekly / Facilitated by Dawn & Gary Belknap

Begins 9.7 / 12 weeks / Workbook is $25 / Sign up at My CCC

Fresh Hope

Tuesdays / 7 PM / Ongoing

Fresh Hope provides a safe setting for people who have mood disorders, and family and friends. Share insights, progress and setbacks, exchange encouragement in a Christian context to find joy and purpose.

For more info, contact Melody Steinhauser / steinhausermelody6@gmail.com

Friends of Suicide Loss

Last Thursday of the month / 6:30 PM

Friends of Suicide Loss (FOSL) is a group for those recovering from losing a friend of family member to suicide. Sharing openly with others who have experienced a similar loss can help with the healing process.

Last Thursday of the month / 6:30–8PM / For teens, college-age students, and young adults / For more info, contact Cindy / 402.995.3118 / friendsofsuicideloss@outlook.com

If you need help or are in crisis, call 1.800.273.8255 or text TEEN to 839863 (7:30 AM–11:30 PM)

GriefShare

Tuesdays / 6:30 PM

If you have lost a loved one (recent or in the past), and have yet to complete your journey from mourning to joy, let the GriefShare team introduce you to compassionate ways of discovering your new normal and God's purpose beyond your loss. 

Tuesdays / 13 weeks / 6:30 PM / Next session begins 9.12 / For more info, contact Deb Jones / 402.658.0767 / 2answerHiscall@gmail.com

Hannah's Prayer

2nd & 4th Sundays / 10:30 AM 

Community of married woman experiencing primary or secondary infertility who provide support and encouragement.

For more info, contact Diane / dewswim@aol.com

Hope After Betrayal

Tuesdays / 7 PM 

When the dream of the ideal relationship, marriage, or family has been shattered, hope is needed to restore and become whole again.

Tuesdays / 7 PM / F254 / For more info, contact Nancy Hanson / jbonanny@hotmail.com / 308.631.1200

Love and Respect

Sundays & Tuesdays / Fall 2017

A free,12-week course that people find surprisingly informative, non-threatening, funny, and helpful in understanding the opposite sex. Love and Respect has applications for marriage and great info for all relationships. Each session includes a 30–minute video lesson, followed by an encouraging discussion about the topic.

This is a free12-week class, nothing to purchase, couples or singles welcome. The class is facilitated by Bob and Sue VandenBrink. 

Sundays / Begins 8.27 / 10:45 AM / The Porch in P538 / Sunday Registration / Sunday Registration

Tuesdays / Begins 8.29 / 7 PM / D126 / Tuesday Registration / Tuesday Registration

Men of Integrity

Tuesdays / 7 PM

Men of Integrity helps men address lust in a safe, supportive, grace-filled environment that promotes honesty with self, others, and God. New arrivals are welcome any week.

For more info, visit findintegrity.com or contact Marc Montanye / marcm@cccomaha.org.

NAMI

Tuesdays

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family to Family Education program is a free 11-week course for family members of individuals with severe mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar, major depression, etc.). Sessions include current information about mental illness, medications, evidence-based effective treatments to promote recovery, community resources, and supportive strategies. Materials are free, but class size is limited and registration is required. 

For more info or to register, contact John and Karen / 402.932.7229.

Overcomers in Christ

Tuesdays / 7 PM 

Overcomers In Christ (O.I.C.) is a nondenominational, faith-based ministry that empowers people to overcome hurts, hang-ups, and life-controlling habits. Our mission is to lead people to a life-transforming relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. We provide recovery resources that are biblically sound and user-friendly. We network with others to help them establish Christ-centered Overcomers groups where people can experience Gods love and truth.

For more info, contact Marc Montanye / 402.216.3538 / marcm@cccomaha.org

Relationships 101

Thursdays / 7 PM

Helps men build and maintain healthy, life-giving relationships. Explore issues such as boundaries, self-esteem, communication, and healing. 

For more info, contact Marc Montanye / marcm@cccomaha.org

Resolve

Mondays / 12 PM

An entry point for men striving for sexual purity.

For more info, contact Marc Montanye / marcm@cccomaha.org

Restarting: Rewire Your Brain for Joy

Tuesdays / 7 PM

God has built us to thrive on relational joy with Him and with others. Life’s difficulties leave many of us hungry for joy. Restarting teaches how to quiet distractions such as cravings, addictions, and depression. Learn right brain-based relational skills that bring you closer to God and others and discover the Immanuel Process to take your joy training to a new level. 

Begins 9.5 / 12 weeks / Workbook is $25/ Sign up at My CCC

Restoration

First Monday of each month / 7 PM

Support and encouragement in a safe environment for those whose loved ones struggle with their sexual identity. This group draws on scripture and Jesus' ability to bring healing and wholeness. 

For more info, contact Sue Beed / 402.938.1570 / sueb@cccomaha.org

Seeds of Hope

1st & 3rd Thursdays / 7 PM

Does your past include sexual abuse that continues to creep into present life and relationships? There is hope. This group for women is a safe place to explore the whats and whys, and how to find freedom from the past.

For more info and to sign up, contact Gloria / 402.968.0395 / gloryb2u@cox.net
 

Stephen Minister Training

Do others find it easy to talk with you about life’s challenges? Do you have a heart for helping those who are walking through tough times? A Stephen Minister is a trained lay person who walks alongside those experiencing things like grief, job loss, financial difficulty, loneliness, or relationship issues. Stephen Ministry training begins annually in January.

For more information, contact any of the Stephen Ministry leaders:

Kurtis Kammerer / kurtisk@cox.net / 402.682.1088           
Sherri Esterling / sesterling84@gmail.com / 402.332.7369
Lorraine Street / lstreet245@gmail.com / 402.964.0841   
Paul Gedden / paulg@cccomaha.org / 402.740.2532

Sign up to be a Stephen Minister →

In The Wildflowers

Tuesdays / 9.12–12.5 / For women / 6:45–8:45 PM  

Limited class size. Workbook is $19.  This DVD series is a more intense focus, connecting with others and with God to continue processing and healing the damage from past sexual abuse events.

For more info and to sign up, contact Gloria / 402.968.0395 / gloryb2u@cox.net