Vol. 17, Issue 3
Lasting Change One Couple at a Time
Since 2018, we have had the privilege of walking with over 700 couples through their healing journey. Hearing of changed lives is our greatest inspiration. As a ministry, we are filled with gratitude for the many couples who have entrusted us with their stories. We would like to share just a couple of those with you today.
“We have been married for 25 years, but only recently began to struggle. We had both been through counseling individually, and we had had a few counseling sessions as a couple. However, during these sessions, it always felt like the counselor was ‘taking sides.’
“We decided to attend a Two Hearts, One Flame marriage retreat hosted by Haven of Hope. While at the retreat, we began to struggle. HOH mentors, Steve and April, met with us and encouraged us that our struggles meant that our soul’s needed healing”. They suggested that we attend a week of intensive mentoring at the HOH office.
“We scheduled the appointment with HOH, but we grew anxious as the time approached. Thankfully, Steve and April eased our fears. During our sessions, they explained how our personalities and our past had worked together to make us the people that we are today. They taught us that our past didn’t need
to have ‘deep claws’ in us, and that we could move on toward healing. We learned about our own pressure points and how we are affected by them. During that week, we came to understand and see what was driving our pressure, and we realized that our true identity is in Christ. As we began to understand our identity in Christ, we stopped looking to each other to fill those broken pieces of our heart that only God can fill.
“Although the mentoring was difficult at times, our experience was amazing and a special blessing to our lives. We left HOH feeling cleansed by God’s grace, and we were at peace. The tools we learned that week continue to help us in our marriage journey.” —Mark & Kathleen Troyer
“Our marriage is nothing short of a miracle. Our relationship began with sinful pasts, immaturity, and desire. During our relationship, we encountered selfishness, lust, and betrayal which led to a time of separation. Wanting better for our relationship and family, we determined to stick together through this painful time. Some friends had told us of their experience with Haven of Hope and what it had done for their marriage. We decided to reach out for mentoring. During our sessions, we learned about ourselves and each other. We received the tools we needed to navigate through hard times and find resolution. We grew to understand each other on a more gracious level. We now have a true understanding of God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy. The influence on our marriage was great. If you are in a relationship, we recommend that you give HOH a try. God is for marriage. You are worth it, and your marriage is worth it.” —Chad & Jamie Apsey
HOH Welcomes Our Women’s Ministry Leader
In August, we welcomed Beth Foltz to the Haven of Hope team. Beth is the Women’s Ministry Director. She is mentoring women one-on-one, and she is developing and implementing programs that minister specifically to the unique needs of women.
Beth has been married to her husband, Steve, for 31 years. They have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.
Connection Groups for Couples:
A Community That is Rooting for You and Your Marriage
“We first heard about the Building Blocks for Relationships (BBFR) Connection Group from our mentor, Jim Adamson, at the end of our week of intensive mentoring. Brian Smith, the Connection Groups coordinator, then reached out to us. We had finally found emotional connection during our intensive mentoring, but it was challenging to stay emotionally connected when conflict arose so the Connection Groups interested us. We had never been a part of any group like this, so we were not sure what to expect.
“We are thankful that we decided to give the group a try. Through the BBFR curriculum and meetings, we received guidance on how to better understand our spouse’s pain and see the journey of their heart. We also came to better understand what we can control and what we cannot control. We practiced how to accept, understand, and care for each other, and we better understand that we are called to be compassionate to our spouse in the same way that Jesus is compassionate to us.
“The biggest takeaway from the BBFR Connection Group was that we were going to have to be willing to put in the hard work of staying connected. In this group, we had a caring community who was rooting for our marriage and for healing for both of us individually and as a couple.” —Tyler & Chelsea Zook
Have you completed a week-long intensive or a Two Hearts One Flame Marriage Retreat but long for more? We invite you to join an in-person or virtual BBFR Connection Group. Opportunities are available weekly. Simply click the button below to register for a group in your area.
September Events Wrap Up an Eventful Summer
“To everything there is a season,” the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us. Over the last few months, Haven of Hope has been in a season of growth and change. After moving into our new building in August, we opened our doors to welcome the community to the new ministry center. Food and testimonies were shared, and each group was given a tour.
September 18—39 women met for a Women’s Meet & Greet.
September 19—16 area pastors enjoyed a pastor’s luncheon. That evening, 23 couples attended the “Let’s Build” Fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser went directly toward the continued completion of the new building.
With grateful hearts we say “Thank you” to everyone who made these events memorable. Our amazing staff, board members, and supportive community worked together to spread the good news of what the Father has done for HOH. To God be all the glory!
From Our Clients
