The HOPE Update | August 2026

In early 2026, I completed a master's-level course in Nonprofit Management through Liberty University, gaining valuable insights into effective nonprofit leadership. As a result, the Restored Hope Network (RHN) Board adopted key governance policies, including whistleblower and records retention policies, and established measurable vision statements, now available on the RHN website.

In January 2026, the Board also approved a three-year Strategic Plan to guide RHN's future. Even conservative estimates suggest that 1.9 million people experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction could benefit from our support. If only 10% sought help, our ministries, counselors, and pastors would quickly be overwhelmed.

Therefore, our goals are threefold: expand national reach, strengthen and grow the network, and build organizational capacity. 

To reach more people seeking hope and help, RHN has developed a national Christian radio campaign strategy. The campaign, estimated to cost $100,000 annually, would significantly increase awareness of Restored Hope Network. We are actively pursuing additional funding to make this initiative a reality.

To support this growth, RHN expanded its operations. Following the retirement of our part-time office administrator in October, we moved into a larger office in January. With the invaluable help of our HR team, Gene Eggman and Gena Burson, we also welcomed two new staff members: Tyler Bates and Layla Whiting.

Tyler serves as RHN's first Development Manager. He brings project management experience from Focus on the Family, along with a passion for nonprofit development. He is being mentored in donor relations, grant writing, and fundraising. Tyler is an exceptional researcher with a deep love for Jesus and a heart for the ministry.

Layla brings extensive administrative experience to RHN and has been instrumental in developing standard operating procedures that strengthen our growing organization. Her skills and expertise are matched by her love for Jesus and her heart for serving others in His name. 

I am grateful to entrust both Tyler and Layla with important responsibilities, knowing they will carry them out with excellence and in ways that honor God.

HOPE 2026 



The 2026 conference was held in Colorado Springs at Focus on the Family's headquarters in June. Many were deeply ministered to during the conference--more than 70 individuals were prayed over during one altar call. Dr. James Merritt of Cross Pointe Church (Atlanta) spoke about the balance of love and truth in Jesus. He started us off with an encouraging message.

Deanne Barnes, director of His Wonderful Works, powerfully taught on the importance of friendships when leaving homosexuality, while Dr. Joseph Nicolosi Jr. offered valuable insights on overcoming unwanted sexual desires. Glenn Stanton did an amazing job presenting on the beauty of God's design in marriage and on the rise and fall of Trans ideology. There were 12 different workshops for different groups--parents, strugglers/overcomers, pastors, counselors, and ministry leaders. 

The HOPE 2025 and 2026 videos are being edited and will begin to be released in late September 2026. We will announce them on the new RHN Facebook page you can access through the links on the bottom of the Restored Hope Network website!

Restored Hope Network Member Day

Kaley Chiles and her Alliance Defending Freedom attorney spoke on Member Day about the 8-1 US Supreme Court ruling on the Chiles v. Salazar case which challenged counseling speech bans for minors who want to align with their bodies in the realm of sexuality or gender. Sheri Olsen, Director of Path of Life Ministries, also covered the vital topic of leadership succession planning in ministries. 

Conference Financial Goals

The Giving Challenge Goal was $60,000--the Giving Challenge started in April 2026 and wrapped up in June. Tyler contacted 59 donors who gave a total of $56,472. Three remaining gifts have been pledged to close out the challenge at $60,305! 

The Offering Goal was $10,000--the offering at the HOPE conference raised $10,107. All who gave during the offering were matched by nearly 6x the value of their gifts! Thank you to all of the donors who contributed to the Giving Challenge and the Offering! Tyler is excited to continue building relationships with you, our supporters. 

Gladly standing with you in Christ Jesus, 

Anne Edward

Am I Gay? Coming Out of Cultural Christianity 

& LGBTQ+ Identity into Authentic Faith in Jesus

 Pastor Garry Ingraham

Congratulations to RHN Member Garry Ingraham of Love & Truth Network for being given Restored Hope's Best New Healing Resource for 2026! 

"This is a story of a God who relentlessly pursues. This is a story that reveals what the church does not often do well regarding sexual sin or identity struggles. More importantly, it’s a story of how the church can be far better - equipped to live in love and truth through strength and compassion; inviting broken people into genuine and growing relationships with Jesus and His authentic community. The church can become a vibrant, well-prepared “teaching hospital” for all the issues and brokenness embraced today by hurting people craving belonging and purpose – love and meaning.

I once was broken and lost. I invite you to learn my story–how I found belonging, purpose, and meaning through the greatest and most enduring love of God." -- Garry Ingraham

To find out more about Love & Truth Network, visit: loveandtruthnetwork.com

To order Garry's book--loveandtruthnetwork.com/am-i-gay

aboutHOPE

Rogers, Arkansas

Gene & Anita Eggman

Their parents' support group has been featured on CBN, their story in a documentary, and God has blessed the expansion of their leadership and reach. You can learn more here.

Hearts of Hope

 Yuba City, California

Rene Martin

Rene & Keith meet with parents one-on-one and in their monthly support group. They also provide trainings for churches. You can learn more about Hearts of Hope here.

Mid-Valley Fellowship

Albany, Oregon

Duan Walker, Director 

MVF offers support to those struggling with unwanted homosexual desires, issues of pornography or sexual addiction, survivors of sexual abuse, and spouses impacted by sexual brokenness. To learn more about Mid-Valley Fellowship, click here.

First Baptist Church

Rogers, AR

Pastor Alan Reed

Our newest member, Pastor Alan Reed has been caring for families and individuals dealing with unwanted same sex attraction or gender confusion in his church. His group is an outgrowth of mentoring from aboutHOPE (listed above). Alan & Ashley also shared their story at this summer's HOPE conference. To learn more about Pastor Alan's ministry, click here.

Restoring Wholeness Ministries, Tuscon, AZ - Director Wynn Thompson published his book, Prodigal, in 2021. It was recently translated and published in Spanish, El Prodigo. RW has also updated their 16-week curriculum which is getting rave reviews by participants. 

Family Ties, West Palm Beach, FL - Director Charlene Harren leads this monthly parents' support group and hosts weekly online prayer meetings. Her daughter, Dr. Julie Harren Hamilton, has delivered keynotes at HOPE conferences.

New Hearts Outreach, Tampa, FL - Director Mark Culligan and staff have a new podcast called Powerless Furnace and offers confidential individual and group support for strugglers and family members.

Alive in Christ, Boston, MA - Director Brenna Kate Simmons has an upcoming training on Sept. 26th in Weymouth, MA speaking to the youth group. Please pray for the meetings that will happen that day. 

New Creation Ministries, Fresno, CA - Director Mike Manzie. Russell Willingham recently came out with a new book, The Relational Revolution (2025). Director Mike Manzie shared his testimony at this summer's HOPE conference. 

Abundant Grace Church, Gainesville, FL - Pastor Phil Courson leads a thriving church community with a significant outreach to students at the University of Florida. His servant’s heart and “can-do” spirit have been a tremendous blessing to Restored Hope Network. We are deeply grateful for his six years of faithful service on the RHN Board of Directors and his continued care for those out of LGBTQ.

To learn more about Restored Hope Members and Affiliates, visit: www.RestoredHopeNetwork.org/ministry-finder

I lost all three of my children. I lost the relationships. I lost years of milestones.

I lost the vision I had for my family.

Like locusts that devour the grass, the devil devoured my sons right before my eyes. He did it torturously, one child at a time over a period of years. I had LOVED being a mother! I was close to my kids. It never occurred to me they could abandon me and cut me out of their lives the way they did. It was the nightmare I hadn’t known to be afraid of.  

Fortunately, I was trained. It might have been my worst rodeo, but it wasn’t my first. The Spirit whispered to me one day, while I was still a hand-wringing mess, “You know what to do.” And I did.

I started what I call “walking the floor.” I gathered my scriptures, I wrote out Word-based prayers for my sons, and walked up and down the hall of my home, around the living room, around the neighborhood—binding and loosing, confessing the promises of God, and tearing down strongholds with my spiritual weapons.

Later, I added fasting. I gathered other Christian parents with prodigal kids and formed my tribe. Corporate prayer and fasting, not just for my own, but for other prodigal children became a major part of my life.

After sixteen years of walking the floor, I got my first “suddenly” breakthrough. Two of my sons are back in orbit now, but my middle son is still out there. God has shown me that trust in Him and perseverance can alter the course my loved ones are on. I am more emboldened than ever to “pray through,” as the old-timers used to say.  

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus! Help is on the way!

~

Gretchen Stockman is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and EMDR trauma therapist serving in Lakewood, Washington. She works with adults, adolescents, couples, and families on a variety of life challenges providing counseling and therapeutic intervention from a Biblical perspective.