He will make the valley of trouble a door of hope. Hosea 2:15 |
Desert Hope Ministries is a non-profit 501(c) corporation, whose purpose is to extend God's love, truth and healing to men and women struggling with relational, sexual, and identity issues. We also equip pastors, counselors, and lay people to effectively come alongside individuals and families lost in the shame and confusion of personal brokenness. Desert Hope's goal is to bring a fresh and relevant message of hope and renewal to the evangelical church on God's design for relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and gender. Desert Hope's vision is to see men and women restored to their truest identities in Christ in order to fulfill their original design and call for the sake of God's Kingdom.
Desert Hope was initially formed to provide a support base and covering for Janelle Hallman's conferences, speaking engagements and missions outreaches. For more information on Janelle [pick here]. Since its inception in 2000, Desert Hope has successfully raised the funds and recruited hundreds of volunteers and support staff to launch numerous projects and accomplishments, including:
Restoring the Glory – A conference produced, promoted and sponsored by Desert Hope Ministries. The purpose of the conference is to provide a dynamic message of God's truth surrounding our inherent glory as image bearers, real relationships, authentic sexuality, and meaningful intimacy. Janelle is the Coordinating Director and main speaker for this event. For more information [pick here]
Testimonials:
"In all my years of ministry, this ranked as one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Janelle took us through the Bible from cover to cover to reveal God's design and plan for us as men and women and creatures designed for intimacy. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before!"
A Pastor
"I left the conference freer, more whole and more full of joy. The greaest thing is the shame I've felt for years is lifted and gone.  And, deep-seated fears have been removed!" A woman from Colorado Desert Hope has successfully produced, promoted and sponsored the Restoring the Glory conference in multiple locations:
Lookout Mountain Community Church 2002
Good Shepherd Church 2004
Lookout Mountain Community Church 2004
First Presbyterian Church of Boulder 2005
Church in the City 2006
Exodus Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (portions of conference) 2007
Pastor's Forum in Maputo, Mozambique 2007
Other National Events
Janelle speaks in many venues that often cannot or do not typically pay speaking honorariums, or the offered fee is not adequate to cover all of Janelle's expenses and time. Desert Hope Ministries makes it possible for her to continue to be involved in most of the following organizations and their events:
Exodus North America – Regular keynote and workshop speaker at the annual and regional conferences
Testimonial:
"I was truly amazed at the blessing I received at this regional conference. Thank you Janelle for accepting the invitation to come. I believe that you are what made the difference for me. If I'd been a sponge, I couldn't have soaked up enough wisdom from you. I attend many conferences, and I can tell you that this was probably THE most wonderful, most memorable one I've ever been to. Thank you for exceeding my expectations. He has used you in ways you will probably never realize. One woman told me that she felt a connection this week-end that she had never felt before and was ministered to mightily as well. Thank you for your honesty and transparency, your ministry and your heart." A Woman from North Carolina
NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) – Annual conference, Board member, Women's Committee member
 Love Won Out – A conference sponsored by Focus on the Family on the prevention of, and the church's response to, homosexuality; Janelle speaks as a clinical expert on lesbianism 2000-2003
American Association of Christian Counselors - offering workshops on counseling women with same-sex attraction
Colorado Christian University – Adjunct professor teaching Human Growth and Development and Human Sexuality
Denver Seminary – Adjunct professor teaching A Psychological Perspective on Homosexuality
Testimonials:
"This class was amazing!" "One of the best I've ever taken."
"Sexuality in general is such an important topic for our
generation and world. Our lives are submersed in sexual
brokenness. This class offered understanding without
judgment."
"Every seminary student should be required to take this class."
Several Graduate Students
Evergreen International – Conference for Professional Therapists on Female Homosexuality
Various church retreats and events
Testimonials:
"I so enjoyed hearing you speak this weekend. It gave me such
a new perspective. I feel closer to God and happier with myself
as a woman. I am trying to let myself out of a cage I have had
myself in for so many years. I have denied myself so much and
have been my worst enemy for so long. But I know that God
wants me to be free! Thank you so much. Your sharing gave
me a big push in the right direction." A Woman from Indiana
International Missions
Desert Hope often funds all of the production, travel and overhead expenses for Janelle's international events. Many Christian organizations abroad do not have the funds to cover Janelle's (or her team's expenses). Desert Hope has supported  Janelle to speak and teach internationally on Biblical and psychological truths related to relational and sexual brokenness in general, and homosexuality and lesbianism in specific. She regularly travels to central Europe and her missions speaking credits include:
Pastoral Training Conference on Homosexuality and Restoring the Glory (Maputo, Mozambique) - Keynote speaker (2007)
Evangelical Theological Seminary (Prague, Czech Republic ) – visiting professor, human sexuality 2002
Eurasia Teen Challenge – Keynote speaker at the International Conference 2001
Teen Challenge ( Prague, Czech Republic ) – Training seminar for Czech Teen Challenge leaders 2002
German Institute for Youth & Society ( Reichelsheim, Germany ) – Three-day conference for Christian psychologists on the lesbian condition 2003
Living Waters (Schweiz Zurich, Switzerland ) – one-day conference on the lesbian condition 2003
 Healing a Mother’s Heart Retreat
Desert Hope Ministries co-sponsors the Healing a Mother's Heart Retreat, a three-day group experience with other mothers of daughters with same-sex attraction. Because of Janelle’s extensive counseling experience with these women, she is uniquely positioned to help mothers (and fathers) understand the nature of their daughter’s issues as well as heal or strengthen their relationship with their daughter. For more information on these retreats [pick here].
Audio and Video Resources and Janelle's New Book!
Over the years, Desert Hope as produced, packaged and marketed many of Janelle's lectures. These valuable resources are have made available to professional therapists, lay counselors, parents of homosexual daughters, women who struggle with female homosexuality, and men and women in general seeking to understand and live within God's design for authentic sexuality and real relationships. To download a Product Order Form or preview her Product Listing [pick here].
Perhaps one of Desert Hope's most amazing feats, is the full funding and support of Janelle's long-term writing project. She started over five years ago on a manuscript for counselors on female homosexuality.  After years of interviewing, researching, writing and re-writing, the book, The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction: A Comprehensive Counseling Resource (2008, InterVarsity Press) is finally here. It was an amazing miracle to see God's hand in providing the funding and just the right people to influence and support her along the way. It was truly a team effort made up of givers, prayers, sharers, researchers, typers, proofreaders, editors, encouragers, supporters and lovers! While it has gained the support and interest of many, the book is primarily intended for mental health professionals and educators. However, the book is reader-friendly and can also serve as an indispensable guide for clergy, lay counselors, mentors, friends and especially family members of women with same-sex attraction. And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, this book is dedicated to and for the women who are themselves struggling or looking for greater understanding into their lives. To order this ground-breaking book [pick here]
Giving to Desert Hope Ministries
It is clear that God has used Desert Hope (in its weakness and smallness) to show His power and glory. Desert Hope has financially survived on a day-to-day existence for the past 8 years. We have never had a solid funding base yet the money has always been there to cover our bills. However, to continue to cover Janelle's missions, the current product line and future events, Desert Hope needs to expand its support base. Would you consider giving a one-time gift or pledge to give on a monthly basis? For more information on how to give [pick here]. Would you consider becoming one of our prayer supporters? For more information on how to receive our prayer email or sign up for our newsletter [pick here].
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