Healthy Sexuality•A Culture of Grace•Overcoming Addiction•Starting the Conversation•How to Launch Purity Ministries•Marriage Dynamic•Relationship Recovery
As a third-generation pastor, Nick started his ministry career at the East Hills Alliance Church in Kelso, Washington. Serving as their lead pastor for more than a decade, Nick observed the fallout of sexual brokenness and devastation in the lives of men and women in the church and recognized, like never before, the need for a culture of grace in the Church.
After facing his own addiction to pornography, Nick and his wife, Michelle, found hope and healing through the counseling and group ministries of Pure Desire. It radically changed their lives! His public disclosure to his church body led to a revival of forgiveness and healing, launching Pure Desire groups—of hope and freedom—for men and women.
Today, as the Executive Director for Pure Desire and a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), Nick continues to believe the Church can become a place of healing and that Pure Desire is leading the way. His passion for the Church and this ministry is evident.
Nick and Michelle have four kids, ranging in age from 16 to 8, and live in Gresham, Oregon. Nick is an avid runner, having completed 8 marathons, including the Boston marathon. He is a sports enthusiast and has a deep love of the Minnesota Twins.
Renewing of the Mind•The Neurochemistry of Addiction•Healthy Sexuality•Porn, Sex, and the Teen Brain•Parenting the Teen Brain•Love, Sex, and the Brain•Developing Emotional Awareness•The Road to Health•Outliving the Lie (identifying limbic lies)•Addiction, Depression, Suicide, and the Brain
Heather has years of experience working in an academic setting. As a college professor, she taught psychology and criminal justice, creating new courses and curriculum to support the academic and professional development of her students.
Heather is a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and has been trained in the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model (MPTM) through The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS).
During her first marriage, Heather developed an eating disorder. Through extensive counseling she learned how brokenness and addiction impacted her life and the practical steps needed to live in health. Her education stressed the importance of understanding the brain and how it contributes to behavior.
As the Content Manager for Pure Desire, Heather is passionate about helping men and women understand God’s love for them, how to proactively heal their brain, and discover what it looks like to live in health.
Heather and her husband, Michael, live in Gresham, Oregon. They have three adult sons and two daughters-in-law. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys reading, writing, and research; continuously absorbing new information about the brain, mental health, and behavior.
Healthy Sexuality•Sexual Health in Marriage•Sex, God, and Me (a session for teens)•How to Talk With Teens About Sex•Healing from Sexual Betrayal•Recovering from Sex and Love Addiction•Identity Crisis—Discovering the Real Me•How to Lead•GroupsBlended Families•Teen Mom, Teen Trauma
Ashley spent years in a pattern of finding freedom from one addiction only to find herself in another. She couldn't figure out how to end the cycle. It wasn’t until her husband’s pornography addiction was exposed that she realized unprocessed trauma and a lack of biblical and practical wisdom in her own life was keeping her stuck. The excruciating pain and trauma of the betrayal gave her a drive to find answers and healing, not only for herself but for her family.
Ashley shares her expertise and personal story of triumph and restoration. She has overcome betrayal and her own love and sex addiction. Ashley knows firsthand the power of walking with others through recovery. Ashley wants women who feel alone and stuck in their struggles to know they are not alone and there is hope.
As the Associate Director of Women’s Groups, Ashley provides leadership and training to churches throughout the world. She is a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and has been trained in the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model (MPTM) through The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS). She has been instrumental in training new leaders to advance the message of hope and healing in the Church Community. Ashley’s transparency is refreshing; her love for Jesus is contagious.
Ashley and her husband, Jon, are working to raise their four children (including 17 year old twins) with grace and understanding about being sexually healthy. Being a teen mom herself, graduating high school while pregnant with twins, Ashley understands what teens are facing in an over sexualized world. She has a desire to help teens, their parents, and leaders feel equipped to go against the grain and navigate the culture.
Promoting Sexual Integrity•Groups•Youth and Addiction•Creating Safe Cultures•Recovery from Addiction•Healthy Sexuality
Trevor has been in ministry and pastoral leadership for more than 10 years. Growing up in a house dedicated to ministry, he lived the prototypical “Christian” life. The oldest of four boys, Trevor learned the power that shame and wounds can carry over our lives.
As an athlete, Trevor learned the message of “performance equals love.” This message created pockets of shame and ultimately led to a love and sexual addiction. Through almost 15 years of an addiction to pornography, and while serving as a youth pastor, Trevor learned that in order to help others heal, you have to experience your own healing. This started Trevor on his recovery journey to sexual integrity.
Today, as the Marketing Director of Pure Desire Ministries and a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute of Addiction and Trauma Professionals (IITAP), Trevor is passionate about making the opportunity for recovery and healing available to all and helping people maintain growth throughout life.
Trevor and his wife, Amy, have two boys: Brady (3) and Brooks (7 months). They live in Sandy, Oregon. Trevor is an avid reader and lifelong learner who loves baseball, music, and the enneagram.
Healthy Sexuality•Parenting and Sexuality•Marriage and Sexuality•Grief, Loss, and Trauma•Weekend Services: present Pure Desire or biblical studies•Men’s group: Testimony or Men and Sexuality•College Students: Healthy Sexuality
Rodney is an Advancement Specialist for Pure Desire, traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad sharing his personal journey of recovery and hope. He is a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). Prior to joining Pure Desire, Rodney had decades of experience serving in pastoral ministry. He is passionate about helping people realize their worth and value—seeing just how much they matter to God.
Rodney and his wife, Traci, have been married for more than 30 years, with three adult children and one son-in-law, and live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. With years of experience as pastors, counselors and speakers, they facilitate training conferences to educate parents and leaders on how to communicate healthy sexually with kids.
Rodney loves people, the outdoors, and new experiences, including new people. He is passionate about helping others in the time he is given on this earth.
Parenting and Sexuality (with Rodney)•Healthy Marriage/Sexuality (with Rodney)•Betrayal•Healthy Sexuality•Self-care for Women
Traci is a clinician for Pure Desire. She is a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and has been trained in the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model (MPTM) through The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS).
She and her husband, Rodney, have been married for more than 30 years and have three adult children and one son-in-law. They live in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they love hiking, bicycling, and the outdoors. They are committed to “enjoying the journey” as they continue to grow as individuals and as a couple.
Traci and Rodney have spoken together at marriage retreats, parenting conferences, and other events. They love helping others find healing, discover real transformation, and experience spirituality in a holistic way.
Traci cares deeply about recovery for women, leading Genesis Process, Unraveled, and Betrayal & Beyond groups. She also has experience as a recovery counselor, where she shares her 20+ years of healing.
Traci loves the concept of co-creating with God: seeing God use the most powerfully beautiful and powerfully painful parts of our life to create something new. She believes that sharing our story heals us, not only when we share our story with others but when others share their story with us. When we experience being heard and feeling connected, our layers of shame and brokenness begin to heal. Traci is a natural connector of women: connecting them to each other and to the Divine. She is passionate about going to the deep places of pain and beauty in herself and walking with others in their journey to do the same.
Betrayal Trauma•Self-Awareness•Power of Recovery Groups•Space for Grace•Overcoming Negative Self Beliefs•Recovery for Partners of Addicts•Group Dynamics
For the past 11 years, Jackie and her husband, Ernie, have led the recovery ministry at Trinity Church in Cedar Hill, Texas. When they first started groups, they had no idea that hundreds of men and women would walk in our doors hopeless and walk out inspired—filled with hope and a renewed sense of life and freedom. They didn’t know how God was going to use their healing of sexual addiction and betrayal trauma to bring healing in many lives.
Even when they were not sure restoration was possible, they’ve had the opportunity to see individuals and families thrive. Jackie has often heard people say: “We’ve never imagined the life we live in now was even possible!”
It is because of this truth that Jackie and Ernie have dedicated their lives to this recovery ministry. Jackie has a heart for women who have experienced betrayal and is passionate about helping them walk through the healing process.
Jackie and Ernie have been married for more than 36 years and have two adult daughters: Danielle is a voice actress and Kendra is a nurse. Their prayer for their daughters is that they would become all God has created them to be.
Jackie is a hairstylist. Those who sit in her chair quickly learn she has the answer to many relationship issues. Jackie loves to have sticker therapy with her planners and her new hobby: gardening. Jackie and Ernie enjoy hanging out at their favorite frozen yogurt shop. Jackie is a firm believer in self-awareness: Seek God; Examine your heart; Love yourself; Forgive yourself.
Healthy Sexuality•Sexual Addiction•Trauma•Recovery Groups•Marriage Restoration•Sexual Health in Pastoral Ministry•Sexual Health in the Local Church•Betrayed Spouse•Applying Your Recovery to Raising a Family•Personal Identity in the Recovery Process•Recovery Tools, Skills, and Strategies•Creatively Pursuing Health(ier) in Recovery
Robert is a clinician at Pure Desire, pastor, and business owner. Not always in this order. Though all three of these positions take place in different locations, they all work toward the same goal: helping people become who they were created to be and present with those who are right in front of them. He has been a clinician at Pure Desire for 8 years, along with his wife. Prior to this, he and his wife worked as the Latin America representatives for Pure Desire, traveling in Latin America and speaking on the topic of sexual health. He has been a pastor and/or in ministry for more than 20 years and currently is part of a neighborhood church where he and his family live in North East Portland.
While working as a senior pastor in Las Vegas, Robert began to face his own sexual addiction. Not without the loss of ministry and relationship. The journey toward healthier is always continuing and a launching point for much of what he does now.
Robert and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for 10 years and have two children: their son Amadeus and their daughter Carmela. They met in 1998 on a short-term mission trip in Costa Rica; however, they went their separate ways for a few years and made a mess of life. Fortunately, those messes helped them reconnect and pursue health together later on.
Robert has been a college pastor, associate pastor, and senior pastor. He and his wife have traveled to more than 30 countries and, in many of these countries, spoken on sexual health. They also owned a family co-op playspace in the neighborhood where their church meets and are currently part of a restaurant that works to interact with charity nonprofit partners based in Portland.
Robert’s favorite place is his front porch. He loves it because it facilitates life with his family and neighbors. It’s a place that promotes relationship, visibility, and presence. He’s known for saying things like, “Progress and not perfection” and loves to help people see how recovery is really just part of the process of sanctification. We’re all working toward being closer together in relationships or further apart.
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