Stepping Up

Volume 3 Number 2

Welcome. Each month we feature practical information that you can use in your life and family. Please feel free to contact us with feedback, questions or comments via phone at: 1-888-5INSTEP (toll free) or email: info@instepministries.com.

About InStep Ministries
We are a 501c3 faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources, support, counsel and encouragement to singles, single-parents and stepfamilies and those who minister to them. Our passion is equipping people for life. Our mission is to provide resources and services that are practical, Biblical, relevant and affordable. To learn more about InStep, visit our website: www.instepministries.com.

Personal Moment
What happens when six couples who are involved in stepfamily ministry get together for a retreat? One incredible event! Jeff and I had the honor of hosting the first AMFM Stepfamily Focus Group Retreat on January 20-22 at Pantano Christian Church in Tucson, AZ. The retreat was attended by five incredible couples who founded stepfamily ministries and have produced training materials including: Gordon and Carri Taylor from southern CA; Tom and Helen Wheeler from Charleston, South Carolina; Moe and Paige Becnel from Baton Rouge, LA; Don and Kathy Coryell from northern CA; and Adam and Natalie Gillespie from western FL. In addition to developing stepfamily curriculum for future AMFM training conferences, we had a wonderful time getting better acquainted as couples and learning more about each other’s ministries. These couples will join us in presenting at conferences throughout 2006. You can find links to their websites on the InStep website. While the retreat is now history, the memories will last a lifetime.

PS: Jeff and I want to especially thank the folks at PCC who provided a well-equipped meeting room and delicious meals and snacks!

Happy Valentine’s Day?
At InStep, we minister to a wide variety of couples and individuals. For some, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to acknowledge a loving partner. For others, it can be a tough time. Some folks are feeling very lonely, even in their relationships. Some are in a relationship that brings as much pain as joy. Some are missing a recently departed partner while others are hoping to find a partner. Whatever your situation, take time to reflect on the true embodiment of love, Jesus, and the fact that He loves you, no matter what. His love not only transforms us, but also gives our lives meaning, purpose, and even joy. Paul eloquently defined love some 2000 years ago; and today his words apply to our lives no matter what our circumstance may be.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NIV

Lord,

Because love is patient…
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen.
Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.

Because love is kind…
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You” because those little things still mean so much.

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.

Because love is not rude or self-seeking…
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…
Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.

Because love always protects and always trusts…
Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

Finally, because love always perseveres…
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means. Amen.

By Holley Gerth, Writer, Dayspring

Healthy Relationships Seminar
Dr. Parziale will be continuing his series, Developing Healthy Relationships. This series is sponsored by Equally Yoked Christian Singles, but is always open to the public. February’s topic is What Do You Say After You Say Hello? March’s topic is Dating 101.

• TUCSON: Saturday, February 11, and March 11, 2006 from 10 AM to 1 PM
  Address: 5515 E Grant #210-A, Tucson, AZ
• PHOENIX: Saturday, February 4, and March 4, 2006 from 10 AM to 1 PM
  Address: 5125 N. 16th #C, Phoenix, AZ
  For more information, call InStep at 520-721-0800.

Upcoming Speaking Events

• February 18, 2006 at 7 pm. Jeff will be speaking to Singles at the Eastside Assembly of God in Tucson, AZ. Call Tom Ricks at 204-5001 for more information.
• February 24, 2006 at 6 pm. Jeff will be speaking to Single Parents at Casas Adobes Church. Call Evelyn Wright at 878-1101 for more information.
• March 24-26, 2006 / Puerto Rico: Jeff and Judi will be teaching at a citywide conference on the topic, Ministering to Today’s Single Parents and Stepfamilies.
• April 19-21, 2006 / AMFM East Coast Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina.
• July 25-28, 2006 / AMFM West Coast Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
• Coming this fall (Tucson, AZ), pastor training in Preparing Couples for Remarriage.

Get Involved!

• Join the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (AMFM). Attend the West Coast Conference in Scottsdale, AZ. Website: www.amfmonline.com
• Tucson: Friday Night “Stepping Out” Singles: Pantano Christian Church-10355 E. 29th. Street. Dr. Parziale speaks on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 7 PM. All singles welcome.
• Tucson: Stepcouple Life Group: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7 PM. Hosted by Ron and Jane Lowery, 6880 E. Hawthorne. For information call: 520-290-1094. Open to anyone.
• Tucson: Single Parent Support Group at Casas Church; Tuesday nights at 7 PM. Call Evelyn Wright: 878-1101.
• Tucson: Tucson Association of Evangelicals: join pastors and leaders for fellowship on February 9, 2006 11:30 AM, Living Waters Ministries, Pastor Warren Anderson. Address: 4343 22nd For information call: 520-721-0800.

Growing Pains
God is blessing InStep with many new and exciting opportunities. While these opportunities are incredible, they are also stretching us very thin in terms of personnel and finances. We are looking for a few individuals or couples to partner with us spiritually and financially. We also need to fill several part-time positions including: a qualified counselor, newsletter editor, and a video production manager. We would like volunteers to assist with proofing and editing written and video materials. If you have a passion for ministering to singles, single-parents or stepfamilies, please contact us and ALSO keep us in your prayers.

For details and updates on InStep activities,
call 520-721-0800 or email us: InStepmin@aol.com

To order InStep resources, call 1-888-5INSTEP

If you enjoy this newsletter, please tell a friend. If you would like to start a support group or stepfamily ministry in your area, please contact us-we can help.

InStep is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit ministry. Donations are tax-deductible and always welcome. Thank you for your support. Please keep us in your prayers.