Our Story
When we began our own journey as parents in pain we didn't know where to turn for help. Not help for our daughter, though she needed it, but help for ourselves! How do we survive this crisis, the next trauma and all we are feeling?
We attended Al-anon and other helpful types of meetings. We read their literature and other books that addressed the issues we were struggling with. Yet there seemed to be something missing. At one point we said to ourselves, "When we get some resemblance of health, we want to start a parent support group to encourage other hurting parents like us."
Out of our own pain we started such a group for broken-hearted parents like ourselves. Twice a month we open our home and offer a safe, loving and encouraging atmosphere where parents can share their sorrows and their celebrations. We share our difficult journeys and discuss relevant topics regarding our struggles with children making destructive decisions. We conclude with prayer for each parent as well as our children.
Of course this works for those who live in our area but what about the hurting parents in other cities, states and around the world? Our pain is a shared pain that transcends geography, cultures, and races.
We attended Al-anon and other helpful types of meetings. We read their literature and other books that addressed the issues we were struggling with. Yet there seemed to be something missing. At one point we said to ourselves, "When we get some resemblance of health, we want to start a parent support group to encourage other hurting parents like us."
Out of our own pain we started such a group for broken-hearted parents like ourselves. Twice a month we open our home and offer a safe, loving and encouraging atmosphere where parents can share their sorrows and their celebrations. We share our difficult journeys and discuss relevant topics regarding our struggles with children making destructive decisions. We conclude with prayer for each parent as well as our children.
Of course this works for those who live in our area but what about the hurting parents in other cities, states and around the world? Our pain is a shared pain that transcends geography, cultures, and races.
Some Important History
Our journey has a unique twist to it. While our daughter (Renee) was back out on the streets for the second time, we received a call from a friend of hers who was keeping in touch with us. He had gathered a few people together to try and rescue her. Over the next five days something very special happened. What took place is now public knowledge and is available for anyone to read about who has access to the internet. You can go to the "Purpose for the Pain" tab on the above menu and read about it for yourself. The impact of this story continues to grow and allows us to be more open with sharing ours. We don't know why this has taken on the magnitude that it has but our hearts are deeply touched by the depth of its global impact.
That said, we understand and work hard at keeping confidence. We want to be safe people who think of your pain as "sacred ground." We want you to know that you are not alone. As you will read and observe in the "factual" sounding biography below, we have been in "Christian ministry" almost all of our married lives. Our three children are PK's and MK's. This stands for "Preacher's Kids" and "Missionary's Kids."
So, yes, even those who work for our LORD can have children who make destructive choices. If you are in a position of leadership at any level you may feel even more embarrassed and not wanting to tell anyone what you are going through. This leads to isolation. Read the first three chapters of Genesis to remember you are in good company! As they say in AA, "Secrets keep us sick." Our goal as parents is to be healthy and find peace no matter what is happening with our children.
That said, we understand and work hard at keeping confidence. We want to be safe people who think of your pain as "sacred ground." We want you to know that you are not alone. As you will read and observe in the "factual" sounding biography below, we have been in "Christian ministry" almost all of our married lives. Our three children are PK's and MK's. This stands for "Preacher's Kids" and "Missionary's Kids."
So, yes, even those who work for our LORD can have children who make destructive choices. If you are in a position of leadership at any level you may feel even more embarrassed and not wanting to tell anyone what you are going through. This leads to isolation. Read the first three chapters of Genesis to remember you are in good company! As they say in AA, "Secrets keep us sick." Our goal as parents is to be healthy and find peace no matter what is happening with our children.
Family
We have been married over 34 years and have 3 wonderful children ages 29, 25 and 23. We are also proud grandparents with two wonderful grandchildren.
Biography
*served in the pastoral ministry for 17 years in various churches in the East and Southern U.S.
*served as missionaries for 14 years with Campus Crusade for Christ, now Cru
CoMission - Moscow, Russia 1996
The Orlando Institute 1998-2002
Community Ministry Moscow, Russia, focus on Family Life 2002-2004
Agape International Training 2004-2005
International School Project in Russia, Ukraine and Guatemala 2005-2010
*served as trainer of pastors and church leaders with BEE World in Asia 2010 - 2011
*serving as volunteers with Cru
Prayer for Prodigals
*began Hope for Hurting Parents 2011
*served as missionaries for 14 years with Campus Crusade for Christ, now Cru
CoMission - Moscow, Russia 1996
The Orlando Institute 1998-2002
Community Ministry Moscow, Russia, focus on Family Life 2002-2004
Agape International Training 2004-2005
International School Project in Russia, Ukraine and Guatemala 2005-2010
*served as trainer of pastors and church leaders with BEE World in Asia 2010 - 2011
*serving as volunteers with Cru
Prayer for Prodigals
*began Hope for Hurting Parents 2011