The Bible speaks often about the heart and the importance of it in our life and faith. But what is the heart...really? When we think of our own heart, what do we imagine or believe? A deeper understanding of the true nature of our heart not only brings the Word of God alive in new ways, but also empowers our recovery to reach new levels. In this session, you’ll learn how to invite the healing presence of Jesus into your limbic process of recovery and healing. Your heart is on the line—and God is ready to do a new work in you! For out of the heart comes everything else you do.

In this session, Dr. Steffens will discuss how betrayal can bring about a trauma response and how this trauma shows up for the betrayed partner. She will reflect upon God’s heart toward the person who experienced betrayal and toward the betrayer. Throughout the healing journey, you can be assured that God is the safe place after betrayal. Trauma has a powerful impact; you aren’t crazy! There is hope!

Many of us have experienced trauma. We’ve felt its effects in our brain, body, and soul. Trauma has a way of disrupting how we see ourselves, the world around us, and our relationships. It can create emotional and relational chaos. And yet, none of our life experiences are wasted in the hands of God. Healing from the effects of trauma is possible! In this session, you’ll learn how trauma impacts the brain and body, explore the heart-brain connection, and discover what is at the heart of healing.

As with many areas of our lives, we need others to walk alongside us, to encourage and support us. And this is especially true when it comes to our recovery and healing journey. In this session, you’ll learn what it looks like to redefine recovery as a team sport. Recovery doesn’t have to feel like solitary confinement. In community is where recovery happens best.

In this session, Dr. Steffens will dive into the healing and recovery process following betrayal—focused mostly on the betrayed partner but also on how the betrayer can help the process. God has the ability to redeem even the darkest times. You will be encouraged and gain hope for the future! There is a proven path and essential tools for healing and growth, when we invite God to do what only He can do: REDEEM.

Let’s get back to the "why" of our healing journey. The centerpiece of our healing is God. He empowers it, He wants it, and He gives us the opportunity to do it. The heartbeat is what gives our body life, and similarly, God gives us life and the ability to continue healing. He is central to our healing journey. In this session, you will be encouraged to keep the heartbeat of your healing going. Don't let the heart stop beating. Recovery and healing never stops. Keep moving, keep growing, keep getting healthy.

In this session, Dr. Steffens will dive deeper into how the betrayed partner can move toward healing—their own healing and in their relationship. For betrayed partners, those who struggle, and couples, you will receive a research-based path toward healing and growth after trauma and betrayal. You’ll learn the power of values, boundaries, and empowerment that can lead to growth.

Do you want to have the greatest sex in the world? This comes from understanding the difference between intimacy-based sex and sex-based intimacy. In this session, you will gain confidence, courage, and wisdom for prevailing over sexual deceptions in prevention and recovery. You’ll learn the greatest sex strategy through connection, protection, preparation, purpose, and power; a formula that will change your life.

For many people who struggle with addictive behaviors, they think they can go it alone and find healing in isolation. What they don’t realize is that isolation breeds addiction. In this session, you’ll learn how a dynamic recovery community is both dangerous and safe. Yet, when we engage in the group experience, we are often joined by unlikely companions.

What does life and recovery look like once you’re no longer focused on sobriety and betrayal trauma reactivity? In this session, you will be encouraged and supported with a proactive approach to pursuing health in a dynamic life. In this emotional stage of recovery, growth is something that can be risky, positive, fun, and creative. Supporting each other in this stage is foundational to moving forward. Life is dynamic so recovery and relationships need to be dynamic.

Today, the pressures and expectations we experience create the lens we look through and shape our view of ourselves, God, and others. This contributes to the different ways we cope with the stresses of life. In many ways, our addictive behaviors block us from living authentically. But when we create space to feel and process our experiences, and step back from social pressures, change is possible! In this session, you’ll learn how to change the lens you’re looking through: understand what addictive behaviors look like for men and women, recognize the work needed to find healing, and discover how to create lasting authentic change.

Whether you’ve never been married or are no longer married, navigating singleness can be challenging. It requires understanding your world view of love and intimacy, and how this view has been shaped by culture, family of origin, and wounds from past relationships. In this session, you’ll walk away with practical tools for reducing shame, find encouragement, purpose, and hope in singleness, and discover how mistakes can become a catalyst for change. You’ll learn what it looks like to honor God and your heart when single.

There is no such thing as a perfect marriage: it’s either healthy or unhealthy. And while mistakes happen in both, a healthy marriage keeps growing. Recognizing and deconstructing unhealthy relationship patterns will help you identify healthy practices and build on your strength as a couple. In this session, you will learn how to build a healthy marriage—increase emotional connection that is safe and vulnerable, develop nonsexual physical affection, and discover sexual intimacy that is pleasurable and satisfying for both spouses.

Unhealthy relationships with family and friends can impede the recovery and restoration process and create a strain in the relationship. As part of our healing journey, how do we re-engage with family and friends, creating a stronger and deeper relationship? In this session, you’ll learn how to establish healthy connections with family and friends after discovery/disclosure. It will empower you to own your experiences and establish healthy boundaries within close relationships. You’ll learn practical ways to address a variety of unhealthy family and friendship dynamics and how to respond with grace and truth.

As Pure Desire continues to grow and develop, we want to keep you informed about what's happening around the ministry. Come and hear updates from our Executive Director, Nick Stumbo: highlights from the past year, upcoming plans, and the future of the ministry. There will also be time for an open Q&A. Learn how you can be personally involved—and get your church more involved—in moving the mission forward to help more men and women in the church and around the world.