Exodus International - Help for Family and Friends

We know that it can be heart-wrenching to learn that a loved one is affected by homosexuality. 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 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.

Exodus has a wealth of helpful resources and information for you. We pray that you will find resources to bless you in your own process of healing as well as help for your loved 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 homosexual strugglers. 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 have other ministries listed on our Links 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 Network provides a growing list of churches where you will be safe to discuss this topic and find the help you need.

Exodus has a wealth of helpful resources and information for the parents 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 family member.

For Parents

We have a terrific page for parents on our Exodus Youth 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 for family & friendsyouthwww.livehope.org for this great community of support.

Retreats and Residential Programs

Love Won Out conferences- Visit the website for dates & locations and more information.

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.

Mothers/Daughters:Janelle Hallman does conferences for mothers of daughters who are gay; see her website

Some of the many resources helpful for parents:

Joe Dallas – When Homosexuality Hits Home

Nancy Heche - The Truth Comes Out

Janelle Hallman - The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction

For parents of YOUNG kids

Counselors in the network of NARTH have experience in working with prevention and family dynamics to help prevention. We also carry Dr. Nicolossi (director of NARTH)'s book, A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality.

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.

Wifeboat – an online blog by Renee Dallas (Joe Dallas’ wife), is a great resource and place to find online encouragement and support.

CrossPower Ministries – A member ministry of Exodus, in partnership with their home church, Stonegate Fellowship, is 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 offers an annual marriage retreat each spring, and always offers support and counseling as available.

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.

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 Parent

For children of gay parents, check out Denise Schick's story at ExodusBooks: 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 ExodusBooks Online.

Professional Counseling

Many Exodus Member Ministries provide lay counseling, and we are continuing to increase the number of therapists available in our Exodus Professional Counseling Network. These are all search-able through our FIND HELP page. If you cannot find an Exodus counselor in your area, NARTH is another option to consider.

NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), is a network of therapists and researchers who agree that people can find change and healing from homosexuality, or gender identity disorder. Their website www.narth.com has several articles on the issues, including research and science supporting their stance. You may call them to request contacts of therapists or counselors in your area from their network by calling (818) 789-4440. Note this is a secular organization, and you will have to call the therapist or counselors office to find out their religious affiliation.

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.

Other Resources

Please surf through our website using the links on the right of this page. 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 struggled, as well as stories from the family, friends and spouses around them.

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

Learn More

We have pulled together lists of articles which will be especially helpful for you: