Help for Family and Friends

Dear Friend or Family Member,

We know that it can be heart-wrenching to learn that a loved one is affected by homosexuality. Exodus is a safe place for you to learn more about homosexuality, gain insight for practically caring for your loved one, and get the support you need personally. Friends and family need just as much care and support as the child, spouse, parent, sibling or friend who is gay-identified or struggling with same-sex attractions.

Exodus has a wealth of helpful resources and information for the friends and family of those who are gay-identified or who struggle with same-sex attractions. We pray that you will find resources to bless you in your own process of healing as well as help for your loved friend or family member.

Finding Help for You and Your Loved One

Exodus has member ministries across the country, ready to help you and your family. They provide support for families as well as for those struggling with homosexuality. Click on Find Help to locate a ministry in your area which provides the services that you need. If you can not find one in your area, please contact a ministry in your region – they may know of other resources near you, or be able to serve you long-distance. We also have an Other Organizations page if you can not find what you are looking for.

In addition to the help a specialized Exodus member ministry can provide, you need to find a caring supportive church. The Exodus Church Association provides a growing list of churches where you will be safe to discuss this topic and find the help you need.

We also have a Professional Counselors Network. These counselors and therapists are in agreement with the Exodus Doctrinal and Policy Statements and have experience in dealing with the issue of homosexuality.

For Parents

• We have a terrific page for parents on our Exodus Students website, which links to our best articles and resources for understanding homosexuality, helping your child, addressing homosexuality in the schools, and related issues. Be sure to carefully look over that page of helpful information.
• We have many experienced parents in our network who are ready and willing to help you with some initial support and encouragement by phone. Please see our list of ministries and find out if there is a parent’s group in your area. If not, feel free to call us to help get you connected with some parents’ support in our network. You are not alone!
• There are several very helpful resources in ExodusBooks as well that can be a great support and encouragement to you. Among them, Joe Dallas’ book “When Homosexuality Hits Home” and Nancy Heche’s “The Truth Comes Out” are both excellent places to start your journey.
• Parents Online Support – Living Hope Ministries offers on-line separate forums/communities for several categories of people including family & friends.

• Retreats and Residential Programs

1. Love Won Out conferences- Visit the website for dates & locations and more information.
2. For Families with Adolescents and youth: Love In Action is our member ministry in Memphis, TN who have programs designed for parents and intensive residential programs.
3. Mothers/Daughters: Janelle Hallman does conferences for mothers of daughters who are gay; see her website

• For Married Couples and Spouses

Many of our ministries offer great support to couples and spouses. If you can not find support in your area, there are several other ways to find support within our network.

1. Wifeboat – an online blog by Renee Dallas (Joe Dallas’ wife), is a great resource and place to find online encouragement and support.
2. CrossPower Ministries – based in Midland, Texas. Lead by Mike & Stephanie Goeke, through their own experience and journey, the Goekes offer encouragement and counsel to married couples around the country. CrossPower in partnership with Stonegate Fellowship offers an annual marriage retreat each spring, and always offers support and counseling as available.
3. Steadfast is a program built into the International Freedom Conference to provide support and ministry to spouses and married couples who attend. Please visit our Freedom Conference website for more details.
4. There are several resources in our bookstore that may provide encouragement to you, including the workbook called “The Journey” developed by Melissa Haas and several resources by Pastor Jimmy Evans.

For Children of Gay Parents

For children of gay parents, check out Denise Schick’s story at Exodus Books: My Daddy’s Secret and her ministry, part of our network, called Help4Families

Resources and Books

For additional resources, we offer a free information packet from our headquarters which you can order online. Note that we do NOT send third-party mailings. We also have a monthly newsletter called the Exodus Impact which can be mailed to you free of charge. Our Request Info page offers the information packet, newsletter sign up, as well as other resources and updates we provide.

Our wide collection of books, video and audio available on the topic of homosexuality and related issues can be found when you visit Exodus Books Online.

Our Library, Testimonies, and FAQs are great resources for information and encouragement. Please spend some time among these articles! Make sure to check out the side bar on the left side of your screen. We have many testimonies from men and women who have found freedom in Christ, as well as stories from family, friends and spouses.

Professional Counseling

Members of the Exodus Professional Counselor Network can provide professional help for strugglers, parents, wives and husbands, and other family members. Some can also work with Gender Identity Disorder.

Focus on the Family also has a very broad network of licensed and professional counselors around the country. If you call their main phone line, you can ask for a counseling referral and they will direct you to biblical counselors in your area. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY.

If, after you have checked out these resources, you need further assistance, please call a local ministry or our office at (407) 599-6872.