Stepping Up

Volume 4 Number 1

Welcome to InStep's monthly E-Newsletter! Each month we feature practical information for singles, single parents and stepfamilies to help you achieve healthy relationships. This E-newsletter also provides articles and resources to assist those of you who are developing or are involved in a non-traditional family ministry. If this newsletter is helpful to you, please let us know. Contact us with feedback, questions or comments via our toll free phone at: 1-888-5INSTEP or email: InStepMin@aol.com.

Personal Communiqué
Jeff & Judi Parziale

In the entire history of the universe,
let alone in your own history,
there has never been another day just like today,
and there will never be another just like it again.

Today is the point to which all your yesterdays have been leading
since the hour of your birth.
It is the point from which all your tomorrows will proceed
until the hour of your death.

If you were aware of how precious today is,
you could hardly live through it.
Unless you are aware of how precious it is,
you can hardly be said to be living at all.

Frederick Buechner - Pastor and Theologian

Last year, 2006, was an incredible year for InStep, and 2007 looks just as exciting. This past year, our passion and mission became clear - to equip leaders to effectively minister to singles, single parents and stepfamilies. Our goal this year is to expand our partnerships, both locally and nationally. We are praying for two or three couples to walk with us and provide prayer support, guidance, accountability and financial support. We are also looking for ten churches to partner with us as we further develop the ministry model we launched in our workbook, Thirsty People Sitting at Wells.

We have been privileged to work with and be inspired by an incredible group of fellow laborers, in particular, Eric and Jennifer Garcia, Co-Founders of AMFM, Gordon and Carrie Taylor, Tom and Helen Wheeler, Moe and Paige Becnel, Kathy and Don Coryell, Ron Deal and Chris and Eunice Molina. Locally, we have been inspired and encouraged by our InStep Board, especially Tim Brown, Chairman, and by our close friends Ron and Jayne Lowery and Tom and Terri Ploski.

What's in store this year? We have a few workbook projects on tap, including What Kids Want Parents to Know about Divorce and Remarriage and we are working on a video production of our series, Developing Healthy Relationships. In June, we will present one of the plenary sessions at the Association for Marriage and Family Ministries conference in Charlotte, NC, discussing how God uses broken people.

Well, Judi and I are testimony to the fact that God not only uses broken people, He restores them and makes them whole. Please pray for Judi and me this year- that we would focus on what is God's best. Please also consider supporting InStep. There are incredible people out there who need encouragement and support.

Domestic Violence Project

Debbie Harsh-Kightlinger, MSW, is the Director of our new Domestic Violence division. She is available for case consultations and training workshops for churches or faith-based organizations. Please contact her at 1-888-5INSTEP or InStepMin@aol.com.

STORIES STILL NEEDED!

We are involved in a new project, and we need your help! If you have a stepfamily or single parent ministry that you have started or participate in, we want to learn from you about what worked and/or what did not work. Whether you have used others' or our resources, we are interested in hearing about your experience. Please email your stories or comments to InStepMin@aol.com and label the subject line as "ministry story". We look forward to hearing from you!

Upcoming Events

• Jeff and Judi will be continuing their series, Developing Healthy Relationships at the Equally Yoked offices in Phoenix and Tucson. This book and series is designed for help singles and single parents. Call the InStep office for details.
• Tucson Seminar: The Impact of Divorce and Remarriage on Children. Emmanuel Baptist Church, January 13, 2007 from 9:00 -11:30 am.
• Scottsdale, AZ: Love and Respect Seminar with Dr. Emerson Eggerich. Scottsdale Bible Church, Feb. 23-24, 2007. To register, call Debbie Linder at the Marriage and Counseling Ministry office at Scottsdale Bible Church, 480-824-7200 or 480-824-7238 direct to office.

Ministering to Today' Families

InStep's mission is to impact our culture for Christ by equipping local churches to effectively minister to the unique needs of today's singles and non-traditional families. To that end, we have developed a seminar series based on our workbook, Thirsty People Sitting at Wells: Developing a Stepfamily Ministry in Your Local Church. The seminar provides hands-on training in key aspects of ministry development, including team building and training, assessing needs and developing goals. Let us help you develop a ministry focus that fits the passion and mission of your church. To order a workbook or get more information on our seminar, call us toll free at 1-888-5INSTEP.

Get Involved!

• Mark your calendars. The 2007 AMFM (Association of Marriage and Family Ministries) National Conference will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 4th -8th. Judi and I will be speaking and exhibiting. For information or to register for the conference, go to www.amfmconference.com.
• Tucson Association of Evangelicals meets the second Thursday of each month. January's meeting is Thursday, January 11th 11:30-1:00 at Catalina Foothills Church, Mark Rosselor, Pastor. Jeff will be speaking on the topic, "Today's Families." Call 520-721-0800 or go to Tucsonfaith.net for more information.
• Tucson: Single Parent Support Group at Casas Church; Tuesday nights at 7pm. For information, call Evelyn Wright: 520-878-1101.
• Online Forum: Register at www.instepministries.com to participate in our new online forum! Topics include Stepfamilies, Single Adults, Single Parents, and more!

About InStep Ministries

We are a 501c3 faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving singles, single parents and stepfamilies and those who minister to them. Our purpose is to influence our culture for Christ. Our passion is to equip people for life. Our vision is to see every single, single parent or stepfamily member connected to a faith community, where they can build authentic relationships, find healing and be equipped to serve. Our mission is to provide resources, counseling and other services that are practical, Biblical, and affordable. InStep is passionate about serving the local church and the millions of individuals in non-traditional families. To learn more about InStep, visit our website: www.Instepministries.com.

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

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

If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward this newsletter to 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.