Begin Again Frequently Asked Questions
Q- How often are Begin Again sessions scheduled?
A- Currently our goal is to offer at least one, possibly two Begin Again sessions in a calendar year, depending on mentor availability and application confirmations.
Q- When is the next Begin Again sessions scheduled and how do we register?
A- Registration for the Begin Again session is open now. The date for the spring session is scheduled to start Monday, February 13th. Registration can begin by calling the church office and asking for the Family Life department or registering on line via the church calendar.
Q- We know we want to attend the next session now. When should we register?
A- It is best to begin your registration as early as possible since class sizes are very small and because of the application process. Registration cutoff is when the class is full or two weeks prior to the session start date due to the intake interviews.
Q- How many couples typically attend Begin Again?
A- There is a maximum of four or perhaps five participating couples each session.
Q- How many mentor couples are there?
A- There will be two Begin Again mentor couples assigned to each session. Other mentor couples may assist periodically as needed.
Q- Will I be assigned a mentor couple?
A- No, mentors are not “assigned”. Often couples who attend Begin Again will identify and connect with the mentor couples because of their testimonies. God has a beautiful way of fitting everyone in the group.
Q- How many weeks are there for each session?
A- There are 14-16 weeks of depending on the needs of the group and how the Lord moves.
Q- What night of the week are the sessions held?
A- Sessions are on Monday evenings and promptly begin at 6:00pm and end at 9:00pm.
Q- What happens if we need to miss a session? Should it be made up?
A- Yes, typically each session builds on top of the previous session. If one is missed, it is highly recommended that it be made up separately.
Q- I have a confidential question to ask, and I’m not sure who can access the beginagain@heritagecc.org email. Can you advise if this email is private, and who will have access to this account?
A- The Begin Again email address is only managed by the ministry directors, Marvin and Linda Pakizer. It is completely private and confidential. Only Marvin and Linda have the password and access to this account.
Q- Our marriage crisis is so private and this program is held with other couples. I have so many questions about this ministry. Is it possible to meet or speak with a mentor couple to ask questions about this ministry?
A- Yes, actually it is required that each participating Begin Again couple has an intake interview with the ministry directors to ask any question they have in their heart. Please contact Marvin and Linda Pakizer at BeginAgain@heritagecc.org or the Family Life ministry at the church office, 614-898-9412, Ext 102.
Q- Where is the Begin Again session held?
A- The session is held at the church in one of the classrooms.
Q- Is Begin Again a teaching class?
A- Begin Again is not the typical class room style ministry although there are teachings and ministry. It is a time of intense sharing and honesty, where privacy is of the utmost priority. The atmosphere is intended help couples begin to heal through the Lords touch, prayer and interaction with mentors and one another.
Q- What night of the week are the sessions held?
A- Sessions are held at the church on Monday evenings and promptly begin at 6:30pm and end at 9:00pm.
Q- What is the cost for the Begin Again session?
A- Today’s cost is $25 per couple to cover the cost of materials.
Q- When is the cost for Begin Again due into the church office?
A- The cost for Begin Again is due to Heritage Christian Church once your application has been accepted. Contact April Walters in Family Life at 614-898-9412 x 102 for payment instructions and options.
Q- When is the registration cut-off for the session?
A- Registration cutoff is when the class is full or two weeks prior to the session start date due to the required intake interviews. The official registration cutoff date will be posted on the Begin Again Information web site pages.
Q- How do we begin the registration process?
A- Both husband and wife will first need to apply by completing the application form found on the Begin Again Website. An intake interview is required prior to registation acceptance. Once the application forms are completed, please email Marvin and Linda Pakizer BeginAgain@heritagecc.org . Or you can simply contact April Walters in Family Life at 614-898-9412 x 102
Q- What if I was recommended or discovered this ministry after the registration cutoff date?
A- Each situation will be evaluated individually. We will do our best to facilitate the need.
Q- Is there an application form to be completed?
A- Yes, there are two forms that must be completed independently by each spouse and turned into the family life ministries department.
Q- What is the maximum number of participating couples allowed to attend the session?
A- The heart of the Begin Again ministry is to do our best to “make room for one more” and not turn away a couple that is desperate for help. We have found that this ministry is most effective in small groups, with the ratio of mentors no more than 2:1. Therefore, the most we can accommodate is four or possibly five couples.
Q- How do we know if we are good candidates for Begin Again?
A- Couples with the highest success rate in this ministry generally have the following three components:
1. Both husband and wife are believers and have a relationship with the Lord. Begin Again is a Christ-centered ministry, and its greatest benefit is to couples who are committed to Christ and His will for them as individuals and for their marriage.
2. Both husband and wife strongly desire restoration for their marriage. We cannot provide the “want to”.
3. Both husband and wife are willing to work hard on themselves, apart from the finger-pointing and self-defending.
Q- Is Begin Again right for every couple in crisis?
A- Begin Again is only one way God uses to heal and restore marriages. It is not for everyone. Begin Again is not a Christian class given over several weeks and a list of 10 do’s and don’ts guaranteeing marital bliss. Rather, it is about mentors who have been trained and down that road, offering hope to hopeless couples, and to help them heal. Begin Again also offers scripturally based tools to teach how to do marriage differently. God can and does change hearts. He can and does give grace to implement Godly tools as a new way of doing marriage. The Begin Again ministry highly recommends additional support structures such as counseling, same sex Christian accountability partners, life groups, etc. All of these can support and add to what Begin Again offers.
Q- Is this ministry restricted to Heritage members, or can a couple in my neighborhood attend this ministry?
A- Begin Again is not restricted to members of Heritage Christian Church. In fact, couples are regularly referred to by other Christians, pastors and counselors. However, our standard process requires an application and “intake” evaluation. In addition, it is best to understand that this ministry is scripturally based and Christ-centered, meaning that the material is not of a secular or clinical nature, rather through real life experiential situations and examples.
Q- What is meant by “intake” evaluation?
A- Simply put, it is a required evaluation and referral done by a professional in Pathways Counseling (usually Eric Wharton) or Bob Buchan (Family Life Pastor) to determine if a couple is ready and in a good place to receive this ministry. It also requires an pre-interview by the ministry directors, Marvin and Linda Pakizer.
Q- Why the evaluation and pre-interviews?
A- Simply put, Begin Again is a place for marriages to Begin Again. If one spouse is still struggling with an addiction or is not really committed to the marriage where their heart is elsewhere or still entangled with someone else, this can be devastating other couples in the group that need to receive this Begin Again ministry. The evaluation and interview is an attempt to fully and privately evaluate the couple and then individually to confidentially confirm if they are good candidates. If not, they can be referred to other ministries offered by the church prior to attending Begin Again.
Q- Can you give an example of someone that would not meet the “intake” requirements?
A- Begin Again does not address addictive or abusive behaviors. If there are existing issues such as domestic violence or addiction (drugs, financial spending, stealing, alcohol, sexual addiction, on-going affair, etc), Begin Again is not the appropriate ministry to address these cases. Heritage Christian Church provides other resources to assist couples found in these situations such as “Pathways Counseling”, “Celebrate Recovery”, “Transformational Healing” or “Spiritual Warfare” (commonly referred to as deliverance ministry). Attending Begin Again when one or more of these conditions exists does more harm than good to that couple and to the other participants in the group.
Q- The testimonies on the web site typically refer to infidelity. Does that mean that if my spouse and I did not have infidelity, this ministry is not for us?
A- Not necessarily. Although infidelity is a very common path that leads couples to Begin Again, we also minister to couples who have experienced other marriage ending crisis situations along with couples struggling with long term disconnection and have come to the point of being hopelessly done with their marriage.
Q- We have a heart for marriages and desire to serve the kingdom somehow. What can we do to assist Begin Again?
A- There are many avenues of support to serve this ministry. Some examples are: providing child care for couples who cannot afford it, sponsorship for couples who are financially unable, manual assembly, etc. If you are interested in becoming a Begin Again mentor, see below for more information. For further questions please contact Marvin and Linda Pakizer at BeginAgain@heritagecc.org or the Family Life ministry at the church office, 614-898-9412, Ext 102.
Q- My spouse and I are interested in becoming Begin Again mentors. What is the ministry path to serve in that capacity?
A- Begin Again is a unique ministry that requires a couple to have had a marital crisis and a testimony of how God has healed their marriage. The ministry path would then be to attend mentor training and serve as an apprentice. If God is drawing you to serve as a mentor, we would LOVE to talk to you! Please contact Marvin and Linda Pakizer at BeginAgain@heritagecc.org.
Q- When is the next Begin Again marriage mentor training scheduled?
A- Currently a Begin Again Mentor class has not been scheduled for this calendar year. If you desire to know more or be involved, please contact Marvin and Linda Pakizer at BeginAgain@heritagecc.org for further information.
Q- My spouse and I have not had a crisis in our marriage, but are interested in serving in a marriage ministry. Are there other marriage ministries at Heritage besides Begin Again?
A- Heritage has two other marriage ministries. There is a pre-marriage ministry called, “Prepare2b1” and there is also “marriage coaching” available. Please contact the Family Life Ministries at 614.898-9412, ext. 102.
Your question not found here? Please contact Marvin and Linda Pakizer at BeginAgain@heritagecc.org