InStep Counseling/Prayer Ministry
Life wounds all of us. Relationships are hard. Divorce or the death of a spouse can create tremendous grief, loss and pain—feelings that can sometimes last several years. Non-nurturing or abusive childhoods can leave us with deep emotional hurts and questions about our worth or value. Life as a single can be a time of extreme loneliness. Single parenting can be isolating and overwhelming. Stepfamilies can struggle with confusion, doubt and hopelessness.
InStep
can help. We exist to provide encouragement, support and resources to
those who want to be free. Freedom means living a life of love, peace,
joy and hope without shame, guilt, fear or anger. We offer prayer, counseling
and healing in a safe, accepting atmosphere. Everyone is welcome. Since
Instep is a nonprofit ministry, services are provided on a donation
basis, based on what you can afford. There is a charge for printed or
audio materials.
Support Groups
A support group is a small gathering of people who share similar concerns or struggles. Members come together and share their challenges and victories as a means of mutual encouragement. A support group is a great source of hope and insight. It’s a place where you can find acceptance and unconditional love. It’s a safe, non-judgmental setting where you can express your feelings and thoughts without fear of rejection. You can talk or listen to the stories of others.
InStep has support groups for stepfamilies, single Moms and Dads and children.
Stepfamily Coaching
The single biggest need in stepfamilies is for accurate, practical, biblically-based information. Stepfamilies need to know they are not alone and that the struggles and challenges they face have been and are being faced by thousands of other stepfamilies. Coaching is a tool for providing information, encouragement and support.
Marriage and Remarriage Preparation
Pre-marital counseling
Preparing for marriage is so important. Some couples spend more
time planning their wedding than they do preparing for their marriage.
Our premarital sessions discuss such issues as covenant, faith, expectations,
finances, communication and problem solving. A strong faith in God is
essential for marital success.
Remarriage preparation
Second Chances is InStep Ministries’s remarriage preparation program.
It is designed for couples that have chosen to remarry. It is especially
designed for those remarrying with children (of any age).
Remarriage is uniquely different from first-time marriage. Complex challenges confront those who choose to remarry. The first few years of stepfamily life, for example, are extremely turbulent. Children predate the couple relationship. It takes five to seven years for a new stepfamily to look and function like a family.
Second Chances
- Provides the tools a remarrying couple will need to not only survive, but to thrive in a new marriage and family.
- Helps couples identify and challenge unresolved issues, unrealistic expectations and inaccurate information that can sabotage a new marriage.
- Offers Biblical solutions and practical, relevant information about the unique needs and challenges of remarriage and stepfamily life.
Call (520) 721-0800 or email us at info@instepministries.com to talk about your concerns.
InStep’s Position on Counseling, Support and Prayer Ministry
Hope - Our purpose
Life is full of challenges. People come to us in pain; pain that seems
unbearable-their lives, careers, families and relationships are often
in crisis. Our purpose is to offer hope-to assist them in healing from
past and present hurts and in learning new, practical strategies for dealing
with life's issues. In the midst of our suffering, confusion, loss or
aloneness, God is not silent. He provides His Spirit to comfort and guide
us and He provides members of the Body of Christ to assist us on our journey.
Freedom - Our hope
People come to us "stuck" in old, ineffective ways
of doing life. Sometimes they feel like prisoners, hopeless and helpless,
with no way out. Our goal is to impart a sense of freedom, belonging and
identity to each person we counsel and to assist them in integrating Biblical
truths into their lives and applying these truths to their circumstances.
We help others discover God's purpose, derive meaning from their circumstances
and develop a Christ-like personality in a context of support and encouragement.
Transformation - Our goal
The ultimate goal of the Christian journey is spiritual transformation—
Christ being formed in us (Rom. 12:1-2, II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19, 5: 22-23).
Transformation occurs as we integrate Biblical truths into our lives and
begin applying those truths to our circumstances and relationships.
This transformation happens best in community, so we always encourage
those with whom we minister to get connected to a community of faith.
The Bible - The Foundation of Our Counseling/Prayer Ministry
- All truth has one source, God (Gen. 1,2; Job 42:2; Psalm 19, 119:5, 105; Jeremiah 17:10; John 1:1-5; Romans 2:14-15; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 12:2)
- Having emotional or relational problems does not mean you are not a Christian (Luke 17:3; Romans 5:1-5, 8:17-18; I Thess. 5:14; I Tim. 5:1-2; I Peter 4: 12-19)
- Not all counseling is Biblical, but counseling can help impart God's truth concerning our struggles (Psalm 26:2; Proverbs 28:26; Romans 7: 22-25, 15:14; II Cor. 1:3-4, 8-10; Col. 2: 6, 3:9; I Thess. 2:11)
- The underlying cause of all emotional problems is sin due to the fall of man (Gen. 3,4; Psalms 51:5; Jer. 17:9; Romans 3: 9-10, 6:11-12, 7:15-24; I John 1:8)
- We are all flawed and truly not of this world; therefore we are destined to struggle at some level (II Cor. 2:7, 4:8-10; Gal. 6:1; Phil. 3:12-14; II Tim. 2:3; I Peter 2:21; James 1:2-4)
- The only lasting solution for man's dilemma is redemption through Jesus Christ (John 14: 6; Romans 5: 15, 6: 23, 8: 1; Col. 3:1-2, 9-10)
- God calls us to a life of faith, where we derive meaning from our circumstances and respond in obedience (Psalm 26:2; Lamentations 3:40; II Cor. 10:5; Phil. 4:8; I John 3:7-8)
- The goal of counseling is life-changing transformation; Christ being formed in us (Romans 12:1-2; Ii Cor. 3: 18, 10:5; Gal. 5: 225-23; Eph. 2:10)
- Counseling happens in the context of Christian community (Acts 2:42-47; I Cor. 12; Eph. 4; I Thess. 5:11-18; I Tim. 6:20-21; Heb. 10: 24-25; James 5:16)
- Counseling is not a substitute for salvation, but a part of the redemptive process (Phil. 1:6; I Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3: 12-14, 4: 12-16, 13: 20-21; II Peter 1:4)
- Seeking wise counsel during times of distress is part of God's provision (Proverbs 19:20; Romans 15:14; Titus 2:3-4; Heb.10: 19-25)
- The final standard for all counseling is God's word (Romans 11: 33-36; I Cor. 2:14; Col. 3:16; II Tim, 3:15-17)
