Welcome to InStep’s monthly E-Newsletter! Each month we feature practical information for singles, single parents and stepfamilies to help you achieve healthy, authentic relationships. This E-newsletter also provides articles and resources to assist those who are developing or are involved in a non-traditional family ministry. If this newsletter is helpful to you, please let us know.

This year, Instep is celebrating six years in operation. What a ride!! God has truly blessed us on our journey. This year’s theme is God still uses broken people. We have had the privilege of working with hundreds of singles, couples and families, as well as numerous churches. We continue to produce affordable resources. Keep us in your prayers. Our prayer is that you will be blessed as you live out your faith in your families and communities. Please remember the 2007 AMFM Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 4th -8th. Pray that our presentations will honor and glorify God. Thanks for partnering with us these past six years.

Domestic Violence Project

Debbie Harsh-Kightlinger M.S.W., 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 520-349-4036.

Selah Counseling, Consulting and Mentoring

Five Myths About Emotional Wounds

1.) My life must be organized around my wound.

My bad experiences have completely changed my life. My wounds define my life. Every one of my life problems is interpreted and explained in light of my wounds. Therefore, I need to be with people who understand me and my bad experiences. As a result, most of my human contacts are with people who are especially understanding of my wounds.

2.) Without my wound, I'd be all alone.

If I recovered from this trauma, I would have to be more independent and on my own, and less in need of help. In short, I'd be overwhelmed and lonely. Changing is scary--adopting a different personality, thinking about different things, finding a new group of friends. Maybe things are pretty good the way they are, at least I'm not isolated and helpless. besides, I'm sure my new therapist...support group...meds...self-help book... is going to get me through this.

3.) My awful and painful life means that I am sick.

My constant awareness of my wound is never going to go away. I'm doomed to stay this way. This pain serves no purpose. It is just making things miserable for me.

4.) All emotional problems are the result of traumatic experiences.

To get better, the primary wound--what started it all--has to be uncovered, brought into full consciousness. Some awful, horribly damaging experience must be buried deep in my unconscious. If I don't know the cause for certain, I can't get better.

5.) At this point in life, I am held prisoner by my wounds.

I can't change. My situation is hopeless. Why try if changing is impossible?

Next time we will look at God’s TRUTHS about our woundedness and discover that God still uses (and blesses) broken people.  

Jeff and Judi will be continuing their series, Developing Healthy Relationships, at the Equally Yoked offices in Phoenix and Tucson. You cannot be in a healthy relationship if you are not spiritually and emotionally healthy yourself. Want to learn how? Join us on Saturdays from 10-1. Call the InStep office for details.

Lancaster, PA. 1st Annual House on the Rock Family Conference. March 15-16th. Jeff and Judi will be presenting workshops on ministering to single parents and stepfamilies.

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.

• Mark your calendars. The 2007 AMFM (Association of Marriage and Family Ministries) National Conference will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 4th -8th. Jeff and Judi will be offering certification training in stepfamily /single-parent family ministry as well as presenting a keynote address, God Still Uses Broken People. For information or to register for the conference, go to www.amfmconference.com.

• Tucson Association of Evangelicals meets the second Thursday of each month through May. The next meeting is Thursday, March 8th 11:30-1:00 at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Call 721-0800 for more information.    

• Fund-Raising Campaign/ New Opportunities: We are excited about several new projects in the line-up for 2007 including: parenting training and support for single parents; a care program for children in single parent and stepfamily homes; and a mentoring training program. We are also partnering with Harvest Media Ministries to create video modules for several of our resources. Please prayerfully consider becoming involved in reaching non-traditional families for Christ. We cannot do these projects without your help. (Your donations to InStep Ministries are tax deductible.)

• Prayer requests: Please continue to pray that God would raise up several volunteers, as well as ministry partners.

• Online Forum: Register at http://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:http://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.

March, 2007
Volume IV
#3

Mark your
calendars

Charlotte, North
Carolina
June 4th -8th
2007 Association
of Marriage and
Family Ministries
(AMFM) National
Conference

Tucson
Association of
Evangelicals
Thur, February
8th from
11:30-1:00pm
River Christian
Fellowship, 4307
S. 7th Ave.
Call the church
at 889-7773 or
721-0800

Online Forum
Topics include
Stepfamilies,
Single Adults,
Single Parents,
and more!
Register Now at
instepministries

Scottsdale, AZ
Feb. 23-24, 2007
Love and
Respect Semenar
To Register Call
Debbie Linder
480-824-7200
480-824-7238

Lancaster, PA
March 15-16th 1st
Annual House on
the Rock Family
Conference