Care Group Spotlight ——— Loving Through Divorce ——— Obedience in Christ Leads to Healing and Restoration

To the outside world, Barry Vaughan’s marriage was the picture of perfection. Barry and his wife, Karen, were actively involved in their church community, raising three wonderful boys and closing in on their 20th wedding anniversary. As task-oriented people, they functioned well as a team and would often go out of their way to help others.

But behind closed doors, their relationship was on rocky ground.

For years, Barry and Karen had been drifting apart. They were spending less and less time together due to the demands of parenting and pressing work obligations from Barry’s job.

What’s more, they both had childhood trauma that deeply affected their relationship from the start. In time, they became roommates rather than husband and wife.

“We were very happy for the first eight years of our marriage,” Barry says. “But the trauma from our pasts permeated and wounded our relationship. And after our third son was born, Karen became depressed and never really recovered. I was busy trying to climb the corporate ladder and didn’t cherish her like I needed to. Her heart became closed to me–but we pretended everything was fine in front of others.” to his journey through divorce. As he grew more comfortable sharing his story, he developed a deep bond with his group–one that has lasted for years.

Eventually, a slow deterioration of their marriage culminated in anger, pain, and depression for both of them. They tried to restore their relationship through counseling and intensive marriage retreats, but nothing worked. After 10 years of turmoil, Barry and Karen finally divorced in the fall of 2010.

Slowly, his heart began to recover.

“Along with the support from my friends, family, and counselors, Divorce Care was an important catalyst to my healing,” Barry says. “The community played a pivotal role in alleviating the isolating impact of divorce, while the course materials were invaluable tools that helped me embrace a new version of my life. Through Divorce Care, God assured me I wasn’t alone, and my life would be meaningful again.”

A Gift of Forgiveness and Love

In the years following Barry’s divorce, he and Karen worked hard to maintain a healthy relationship–for themselves and their children. They co-parented exceptionally well and continued to support one another through various milestones and challenges, eventually developing a deep friendship of love and respect.

weren’t good ones, above all, Karen was my sister in Christ. She’s the mother of my children. And for a time, she was my wife. The Lord was incredibly faithful. He helped me pull above my woundedness and see Karen how He saw her. By the end, we had true, pure love and forgiveness for one another. That was a beautiful gift for all of us.”

Sadly, Karen died in April 2021, less than a year after her diagnosis–but her legacy lives on. Barry’s sons make it a point to honor Karen consistently, even recently remodeling and dedicating a waiting room at Kennestone Hospital in memory of her impact as an oncology nurse.

A Future of Purpose and Promise

For the last 8 years, the Lord has used Barry to minister to others walking through divorce. He co-leads Divorce Care at NMC and frequently advises friends and colleagues experiencing separation or the divorce process. He’s dedicated to helping people see the love of God and creating a safe community for them to heal.

When they finally parted ways, Barry was left with deep pain, isolation, and a strained relationship with his oldest son. He knew he needed help to navigate his new life. Fortunately, a friend of Barry’s recommended Divorce Care at North Metro Church.

To Barry’s relief, he quickly found a community of trust, care, and understanding.

“My entire persona was broken apart,” Barry says. “I felt embarrassed, lost, and unlovable. It was gut-wrenching to tell complete strangers about my marriage–but I’m so glad I did. They were just as shell-shocked as me because of their own experiences and could understand what I was going through. Having their support and encouragement was invaluable.”

Throughout the 13-week course, Barry studied various topics that were important

Barry’s relationship with his son was also restored. In fact, Barry now works alongside his oldest son in men’s ministry, supporting others who have experienced divorce.

But Barry’s decision to surrender to the Lord throughout his marriage and divorce had an even greater purpose than he could have known.

Karen eventually became sick again, this time with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Within months, her health declined rapidly. Although Karen was remarried at this point, Barry continued to love her through it and remained a big part of her support system–a choice that also helped his boys emotionally navigate the eventual loss of their mom.

“I was not a perfect husband by any means,” Barry says. “But loving someone is not an emotion. It’s a conscious decision of your will. Even though a lot of our memories

But most notably, Barry’s commitment to Christ and his relationship with Karen taught his own children a profound lesson–that forgiveness, restoration, and deep love is possible when broken people choose to lean into the Lord.

For Barry, it’s a fulfilling ministry rich with purpose and promise.

“My divorce brought me to my knees in a whole new way,” Barry says. “But God met me throughout all of it–from the collapse of my marriage to my ultimate healing. Through Divorce Care, He assured me, He loved me and He had a plan for my life. Feeling His love, grace, and mercy during that time was life-changing. I learned my life was going to look and feel different, but it wasn’t over. The Lord was faithful to heal me–and now He uses my story of recovery and restoration to impact others in a powerful way.”

Divorce Care is an international ministry that was created to help people find hope and healing after divorce or separation. Through this 13-week class, you will learn how to navigate the many emotions that accompany the divorce process, financial and legal issues, how to handle conflict, and how to interact with your former spouse moving forward. Our fall class begins on Sunday, September 10. Go to northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

Churchwide Baptism Class

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 11:00AM

One of our favorite things here at NMC is celebrating life change through water baptism. If you’re ready to take this step in your faith journey, we invite you to attend the next adult baptism class. For more information about our beliefs on baptism and to sign up for the class, visit northmetro.org/baptism.

Nmcu Core

North Metro Church University (NMCU) is our primary vehicle for studying the Bible together to form a biblical worldview. In NMCU Core, you'll move through a set sequence of classes and learn about the big picture of Scripture and how everything in Scripture points to and is fulfilled in Jesus. And in this learning process, NMCU will also help equip you to both understand and communicate your faith to others so that you can become a more faithful follower of Jesus, a disciple who makes disciples. Each semester offered is ten weeks and goes in sequential order.

Our fall semester enrollment is open now until Sunday, August 27. Fall semester dates are Sunday afternoons, 4:00-6:00pm, September 10-November 12. We offer inperson groups or on-demand options. Learn more by visiting northmetro.org/nmcu.

Nmcu Workshops

Join us for our new North Metro Church University (NMCU) Workshops that are designed to give people practical ideas for being effective in how they live, learn, and love. Attend one of our many unique workshops led by our very own pastors. Registration is free and open to anyone in the church or community. Students who are in 8-12th grade are invited to attend as well.

*Childcare is provided for infants through fourth graders for a small fee; however, early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

Nathan And Kyndell Woodwardparenting Today

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 | 4:00-6:00PM

Parenting can be a daunting and isolating experience. It can feel like an insurmountable challenge, but it does not have to be that way. Attending this parenting workshop can help you understand the possible parenting traps you may have fallen into and equip you with the tools to succeed in future parent-child interactions. We will be covering topics like behavior, mental health, discipleship, and much more. Be sure to sign up by Sunday, August 13, at northmetro.org/events.

Mobilization

Saturday Serve

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 | 8:30AM an ally, and so much more. To serve with Circles USA, go to northmetro.org/serve.

Join us Saturday, August 12, for a time of serving and loving our community. We will serve with three of our new Mobilization Partners, Hands Extended International, City Takers, and Sheltering Grace. Sign up by visiting northmetro.org/serve.

Character Education Mentoring At Kennesaw Mountain High School

Baby Dedication

CLASS: SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 9:15-10:00AM

DEDICATION: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 3:00PM

Students

SHIFT upcoming services and events, or check out the schedule online at northmetro.org.

Compass Fall Retreat 2023

ENGAGE MISSIONALLY SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

| 8:30AM

At NMC, we believe we’re all “on mission” all the time. As we go, each daily interaction is a mission opportunity. In everything we do, you’ll consistently hear, we are here to help people find and follow Jesus, and we do this by becoming carriers of the Gospel across the street and around the world. We engage with everyone in and outside of our circles in a way that if NMC ceased to exist, we (not the building but the body of Christ) would be missed.

Join us Saturday, August 26, for a training class on engaging missionally with our neighbors, community, and the world.

REDEEMER’S HOUSE GUATEMALA SEPTEMBER 24-30

We are offering a mission trip to serve our ministry partner, Redeemer’s House, in Guatemala from September 24-30. On this trip, the team will focus on serving in the villages and helping the team complete a new church plant. You can learn more and sign up for this trip by leading to northmetro.org/serve.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL KENYA DECEMBER 2-9, 2023

In partnership with Compassion International, NMC is taking a trip to Kenya. This trip will allow you to step into your sponsored child’s world and explore your child’s home country. What’s more, you’ll see how partnering with local churches brings hope and changes lives and how your ministry to a child is bringing greater faith, ability, and dignity to an entire community as a result. Learn more about this trip at our interest meeting on Monday, August 7. Sign up for the interest meeting and learn more about this trip at northmetro.org/serve.

Circles Usa

Did you know that here in Cobb County, over 17% of our children live below the poverty line? The ramifications of poverty are heartbreaking and can include homelessness, food insecurity, and children being removed from their homes and entering the foster care system simply because their families cannot afford to adequately care for them. Circles USA works to move families out of poverty, and you can be involved in this work in many ways, including offering a meal, becoming

You can invest in the next generation by becoming a mentor to encourage students every month at Kennesaw Mountain High School (KMHS). As a mentor, you'll help facilitate the social-emotional curriculum, Habitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore. This is an opportunity to engage students in the public school environment, where they spend so much time—all while equipping them with tools for healthy leadership in their world and the world around them. Take the next step by emailing Jill Stewart at jstewart@northmetro.org or check out the details at northmetro.org/serve.

Kids

Town Square Table Talker

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER DISCIPLESHIP TOOL

The Town Square Table Talker is back! This is a discipleship tool designed by the NMC Kids team to equip families to connect around the table intentionally. The activities and devotions you'll find in the table talker come from the Gospel Project curriculum that we use in the classrooms. This means you can connect what you do at home with what your kids do in the classroom! But it's not all curriculum; you'll also find silly games, get-to-know-you questions, and family challenges. You are your child's first teacher and the first person to disciple your child! We hope the Town Square Table Talker is just the tool you need to take your family relationships to the next level! Grab yours today in the NMC Kids Ministry, Town Square.

Promotion Sunday

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

With a new school year comes a new church year! On Promotion Sunday, all children two years old through elementary age will be promoted to their new Town Square classroom. Preschoolers are promoted by age; elementary students are promoted by grade level. If you have questions about your child’s new class, contact Erin at enason@northmetro.org.

ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 | 9:15-10:00AM

This 45-minute class is designed for you and your child to attend together. If your elementary-aged child has already taken the step of salvation, this class is the perfect next step! For more information on the baptism process, visit northmetro.org/events.

The Baby Dedication Class will prepare you to take part in our next Baby Dedication Service, which will be Sunday, October 22, at 3:00pm. This family-friendly service is an intentional environment, with the message and worship focused on the celebration of life and the dedication of your child to God’s teaching and instruction. If you would like more information on dedicating your child or to sign up, visit northmetro.org/events.

Kids Night Out

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 | 6:00-8:00PM

Kids Night Out is an event designed for 1st4th grade students and their small group leaders to get outside of a typical Sunday morning environment and have some fun together! This year we’ll be at Sparkles Family Fun Center in Kennesaw for pizza, playground, arcade games, skating, and laser tag. The price of this event is $20 and includes a $10 arcade card. Space is limited. Sign-ups will end when the event is full or at midnight on September 10, whichever occurs first. Visit northmetro.org/events to sign up today!

Helping Children Develop A Biblical Worldview

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 12:30-1:30PM

Learn what worldview is, why it matters, and how to help a child develop a biblical worldview by teaching four foundational biblical truths. Participants will learn to identify strong cultural messages that threaten to distort and destroy faith in Christ. This class will help you gain confidence and equip you to have intentional conversations with children so that they develop deep, lasting, and culturetransforming faith. This class is based on Josh Mulvihill’s book, “Biblical Worldview.” Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up today!

Special Needs Respite Night

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 | 5:30-8:30PM

NMC will host its fifth respite night for families of children with special needs and their siblings. This event will give NMC an opportunity to serve not only kids and students but also their caregivers. Parents will have a chance for a night out while their children will get to have a night of fun on the NMC campus. Are you interested in serving our families in the special needs ministry for this respite event? Head over to our events page to see a full list of serving opportunities for this event. The deadline to sign up to serve or attend this event is Friday, October 6. Sign up and learn more at northmetro.org/events.

SUNDAYS 9:15AM & 11:00AM

Shift is our environment for 5-7th grade students. Through teaching, worship, games, and connections in small groups, we help students find and follow Jesus. We meet during all Sunday morning worship services in the Shift Room.

Shift Nights

2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS | 6:30-8:00PM

Friendships and an incredible community can profoundly shape our students' lives. We want to invite our 5-7th students and their friends to our Shift Nights on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month to have time to build additional community and stronger friendships with other students in Shift. Join us for everything from movie nights to large group games. These nights are always free, and dinner is provided. Drop off your student at the Cafe doors and have them meet us in the Shift Room or Theater.

SHIFT DISCIPLESHIP TRACK

SEPTEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 5

Shift Discipleship track is an elevated learning experience and spiritual growth opportunity that goes beyond a Sunday morning Shift service. 5-7th grade students will participate in activities and classroomstyle learning as we dive into deep biblical themes. This experience will be similar to NMCU and will aid greatly in discipleship. Our hope and desire is that students who take part in these classes will leave with a new, enriched knowledge of the Bible and how to study the Bible. These classes will meet on Sundays from 4:00-6:00pm to correspond with the NMCU schedule. The first class will launch on September 10. Visit the northmetro.org/events to sign up!

Oneday

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

With a new school year comes a new vision, new community, and new memories for our students in Shift, and it all starts at ONEday! You do not want your students and friends to miss out on this all-day event where we will worship together, learn more about our Father, create new friendships, and make lasting memories. All Shift students (yes, rising 5th graders), join us on Saturday, August 19, on NMC's campus for ONEday 2023. Head to northmetro.org/events to sign up your student now!

Compass

SUNDAYS 6:30-8:30PM

Compass is our environment for 8-12th grade students. Through teaching, worship, events, and small groups, we help students find and follow Jesus. Follow us on Instagram @nmcstudents to know about

SEPTEMBER 15-17

Join Compass for our Fall Retreat on Friday, September 15, through Sunday, September 17, as we head off-campus to Camp Grace! We will have dynamic speakers, worship, a low ropes course, lake activities, and crazy shenanigans! Don't miss out as we dive into community and talk about what it means to be Father Focused. For merch information and to see what else is up our sleeve, be sure to check out our Instagram, @nmcstudents. Be sure to take advantage of our early bird pricing of $135!! The price will increase to $150 after August 21. Scholarships are available. To learn more and sign up, head to northmetro.org/events.

Promotion Sunday

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

On Promotion Sunday, all 5-7th grade students will join their new small groups in Shift, 8-12th grade students will join us on Sunday night at Compass, and our graduated seniors are invited to join us at our college gatherings on Tuesday nights. If you have a 5th or 8th-grade student as of the 23/24 school year, you will receive an email from the student team welcoming you to Shift and Compass. If you have questions about your student's new ministry or small group, contact Jill at jstewart@northmetro.org.

College

College Bible Study Group

TUESDAYS | 6:45-8:30PM

College students, join us on-campus under the outdoor Pavilion for our NMC College Bible Study Group. We will experience community, dive deep into Bible study, and share a meal! This is a place for you, no matter what your walk with God looks like. For more details, visit northmetro.org/college.

Paid College Internship Program

The College Internship Program is a paid internship designed for enrolled college students. This program is for students who want to understand and experience all the inner workings of the local church to decide if they want to pursue vocational ministry. It’s designed to make them more aware of their character, competency, strengths, and weaknesses while increasing their understanding of the disciplemaking process. In addition, they will have the opportunity to explore different ministries behind the scenes and what is needed to make each ministry function and thrive. If you're interested in applying for the 2023-2024 school year, check out northmetro.org/intern-program or email Rebecca Ross at rross@northmetro.org for more details.

An update from Ivan Mijango. Redeemer's House, or Casa del Redentor, is North Metro Church's international ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala.