THE NEWSLETTER OF PRODIGAL MINISTRIES NOVEMBER 2012

IN MEMORIAM

Mike Kidd (1949-2012)A reflection on the life of Prodigal’s Senior Support Group Leader

PRODIGAL MINISTRIES • P.O. BOX 19949 • CINCINNATI, OHIO 45219 • 513.861.0011 • WWW.PRODIGAL-MINISTRIES.COM

BY DAN BURTON

In 1970 The Five Man ElectricalBand wrote a song that says…

Signs, Signs, Everywhere there’s signs.

Blocking out the scenery. Breaking mymind.

Do this! Don't do that! Can’t you readthe signs?

Mike Kidd used to sing that song alot. It fit him. He wasn’t one to con-form to others’ expectations. He didn’tappreciate those who judged peoplebased on appearance.

And the sign said “Long-haired freakypeople need not apply”

So I tucked my hair up under my hatand I went in to ask him why

He said “You look like a fine upstand-ing young man, I think you’ll do”

So I took off my hat, I said “Imaginethat. Huh! Me workin’ for you!”

I met Mike in the summer of 1991when he stepped into our church. I did-n’t know it at the time, but it was thefirst church Mike had stepped foot infor 18 years. I could tell right away thatMike was cut from a different piece ofcloth. He not only looked different —shorts in the winter, ponytail and a mul-let, bushy beard — he also handled him-self differently. Refreshingly so. I didn’tquite know what to think of him, but Ienjoyed his unique take on life. Heopenly stated his opinion regardless of

what others thought or how it madehim look.

Our friendship started haltingly asMike was hesitant to let me get veryclose to him. He told me he wasdivorced and had two grown daughters.It would be more than a year later thatI learned that story was a ruse. He wastesting to see if we would accept himeven if his background was less thanpristine. Our Senior Minister, DaveFaust, later laughed that he had beenpraying for Mike’s (imaginary)daughters for over a year before hefound out they were a ploy!

The ruse did end and Miketold Dave and me about his yearsof wandering in the wildernesslooking for meaning, or as heput it, “looking for love in allthe wrong places.” Mike told useverything. His upbringinghad been bad. He’d beenabused and mistreated,and he then in turnabused and mis-treated himselfand others. Theonly reason hewas able toshare hisstory withus wasbecausehe hadfound aministrythat

gave him hope for a brighter future.Jerry Armelli, through ProdigalMinistries, was the tool God used. I amnot privy to HOW God used Jerry, butI was privy to SEE how much Mikechanged as a result of the ministry ofJerry and Prodigal.

Mike blossomed. I’ve never metanyone more grateful for the love and

cont inued on page 5

Mike Kidd,Prodigal’s

senior supportgroup leader

2

NOVEMBER 2012

Editor – In your role with Prodigal, youregularly provide support and advice towomen struggling with a variety ofdeep-seated emotional, spiritual andphysical issues. Beyond your formaleducation in Christian counseling, arethere elements of your personal storythat have equipped you for such intenseministry?

RH – I do think God uniquely set meup for this. Each person who comes tous is dealing with issues of relationaldysfunction and brokenness, which weall encounter in some form in this bro-ken world. My personal history? Tobegin, I am a “p.k.” (I’ve always won-dered why there is a special abbrevia-tion for “preacher’s kid.“) Even before Ientered the picture, though, my fatherstruggled with what he called “prob-lems with his nerves,” debilitatingenough to warrant hospitalizations and“shock treatments”. So, this was thescene I was born into. By the time Iwas five, I was the only child left athome. Truly, we were the definition of“generation gap,” a child of the 1970’swith parents born in the 1920’s. The“Great Depression” part of their histo-ry felt like it became part of mine. Mydad was stuck in a cycle of periods ofmanic performance for approval alter-nating with periods of crashing defeatand depression. My introverted motherplugged away at the female role expec-tations of their generation—roles whichI rejected. To me to it felt like we wereliving in the same home yet in differentworlds.

If we stopped there, my story would bea pretty sad one, wouldn’t it? And Iwouldn’t have much hope to share. Atthat point I knew what the “goodnews” was supposed to be, but rarelydid I experience it as such at home. I

Deep Calls to Deep…

Ruth’s Story

EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is the lastin our series of articles written tointroduce you, our readers, to threepart-time staff persons who are criti-cal to Prodigal Ministries’ mission—our support group leaders. Havingserved in that capacity just sinceJune, 2010, Ruth Henn is the newestmember of Prodigal’s support team,but is far from new to Christiancounseling, holding a Master’sDegree in Counseling Psychology.During the past 16 years, Ruth’s pri-mary positions have been “Mom”and “Home Educator.” She and herhusband of 21 years are thankfulparents of five “blessings.”

How I wish that each of our readerscould sit down with Ruth to hear herstory first-hand and to feel theChrist-like compassion and zeal,which she exudes! Following the for-mat used in my sketches of Mike andEarl, I have done the “next bestthing,” simply transcribing withoutcomment Ruth’s responses to myinterview questions.

Ruth Henn, member ofProdigal’s support staff

3

guess that is what motivated me earlyon to study psychology in a Christiancontext...to try to find some answers.

Ed. – Did you find answers?

RH – I did, over the journey, thankGod! It took a while though. A lot ofyears passed trying to look good on theoutside, but not feeling like I had a soulto turn to for wise counsel. I couldn’texactly go to my pastor about my dad’sissues, because my dad was my pastor!And even if there were someoneequipped to deal with such things inthose days, in the small town communi-ties in which we lived there was alwaysa sense of guardedness to protect mydad’s reputation, and my own. So I gotgood at trying to look “normal”, nomatter what was going on inside, andat finding my own ways to survive. Ibelieved in God for salvation, butbeyond that, I didn’t have any real-lifemodels of what I would call “abundantlife” lived out. Somewhere along theway, I had picked upthe philosophy, “Lifeis hard, then you die.”I lived under theimpression that youjust do the rightthings, catch somepleasure where you can,and hope for yourreward when you die.

Ed. – That’s a prettynegative picture.

RH – It did feel that wayfor some years. But look-ing back, I see whereGod provided people andopportunities for me to experience Hislove beyond the limitations of my homecircumstances. I’m thankful that myparents put me into the care of someother great people while they wereoccupied with church work and theirown struggles. They took me to familycamp and sent me to a youth campwhere I experienced God’s uncondition-al love outpoured beyond anything I’d

known before.

Another example was the first time Iheard someone preach on “baptism ofthe Holy Spirit.” This seemed like some-thing I needed. I asked my mom whatshe thought about it and her responsewas that she had prayed for that once,but nothing happened. Still, I felt com-pelled and went forward for prayer. Thenext morning I remember waking upwith music in mymind. I believeGod honored thatopen invitationthat I gave Himand that He wasthere, working inmy spirit. A transi-tion was happen-ing for me fromsinging aboutGod, to relatingmore directlywith Him.

Ed. – So that was a turning point foryou?

RH – Absolutely. However, on a life-application level, I still had a long wayto go.

Unresolved issues, unhealthy copinghabits and relational patterns did notjust disappear. “A satisfied soul loathes

NOVEMBER 2012

“We were thedefinition of a

generation gap...By the time I wasfive, I was the onlychild left at home.”

– Ruth Henn

cont inued on page 4

4

NOVEMBER 2012

the honeycomb, but to a hungry soulevery bitter thing is sweet.” I wasnowhere close to being a satisfied soulat that point.

I had a pretty difficult adjustment fromhigh school to college. Any security I’dfelt in at least being a successful studentin the “small pond” of high school waslong gone as I moved to a Christianuniversity. There I encountered a lot ofwhat I saw as “shiny, happy people,”people who I doubted could relate towhere I had come from and the pain Istill felt. What was I to do? Certainlynot talk about all that with people thatlooked like they had things way moretogether than I.

To be fair, there were some great peoplethere. I made a few friends, and reallydid learn some foundational principles.But my own habit of hiding my pain,making the grades and looking fairlyput together had become my automaticescape pattern, a pattern that ironicallyreally kept me from experiencing thethings I needed most. I made it my goalto get my degree and get out of there asquickly as possible without getting tooattached.

Ed. – And after college? Were thereother events that God used to set youfree from that pattern?

RH – My church camp experience wasthe gift to me that “kept on giving.” Animportant part of my story is that Imarried a boy I met there. He loved theLord and made me laugh. I think I washoping that this would be my ticketinto “happily ever after,” but alas, my“knight in shining armor” had comefrom a different — but equally dysfunc-tional — home. Not to paint the picturetoo dark, because on one hand, we diddedicate our marriage to God to theextent that we knew how to do at thetime, and He has faithfully been there.Yet I can relate to so many people whohave the false expectation, programmedby fairy tales, romance movies andsappy ‘70’s lyrics, that a “prince” or

“princess” will make the pain of thepast all go away. In our case, the“princess” fell deeper into a habit ofmedicating the lingering pain throughfood; and my “prince” didn’t know howto lead me out of it. As I said, he hadhis own issues. But God was still work-ing, positioning us among other peoplewho were a little farther along in seek-ing after God.

Ed. – Keep going. What people? Where?

RH – Through a set of circumstancesthat could only be God, I ended upwith an internship at a local Christiancounseling center which had a vision toequip the Church for Christ’s healingwork, teaching healthy relationshipskills, renewing of the mind, and break-ing free from the past. It quicklybecame clear that this had been what Ineeded: genuine community, and ahealing experience with God that cut tothe core. God began to build into mylife foundational vision and skills thatwould enable me to experience Himexponentially more.

Ed. – Can you be more specific aboutthat vision and those skills?

RH – The most valuable lesson thatcame to me during this period wasthat God actually wants to communi-cate specifically with me. Wheneverthat has clearly happened in my life, ithas been life-changing. I guess thatmakes sense. That’s how He workedfrom the beginning of creation: Hespoke and things happened. I still findthat to be true! In this context, prayerbegan to make sense to me: listening tothe Spirit of the Creator of theUniverse, rather than doing all the talk-ing. What could be more fun and ful-filling than that? Would it be fair toeven call it “addictive”?

Communicating heart to heart in thesafety of friends willing to be real, Ibegan to experience God as close andcaring rather than as a distant, demand-ing Dad. The more I became able to

Ruth’s Storycont inued from front page

cont inued on page 5

“The most valuablelesson that came to meduring this period was

that God actuallywants to communicatespecifically with me.”

– Ruth Henn

5

NOVEMBER 2012

internalize that truth, the more Ibecame willing to trust Him, which iskey. And the more areas of my life Iopened up to Him, the more healing Ireceived. All the good things that Hesays about who He is and what real lifein Him is like, became personally acces-sible to me, almost like a bank accountin my name that I had never knownhow to tap into. I could tell you storyafter story of how His Word and prayerbecame life to me beyond what I askedor imagined possible.

Ed. – That is beginning to sound like“happily ever after”! When during thisprocess did you connect with JerryArmelli and Prodigal Ministries?

RH – A “God thing,” again. Jerry alsohappened to be interning at that samecounseling center 20 years ago. Hisstory stood out to me as unique — anexample of what was possible whensomeone really meets Jesus and trustsHim. I was drawn to the ministry herebecause of what I had experienced: thechasm between the potential that Godputs in us for healing and healthy rela-tionships on one side, and the reality ofpain on the other when a void remains,

waiting and starving for that potentialto be fulfilled. I especially have a heartfor people who, like me, have grown upin church, hearing about the feast thatis available, but having no idea how toaccess the feast. I have a passion to seeGod’s potential for His people becomereality. Since God is present, and thebest life possible is available in Christ,why settle for less than the best?

Ed. – Can you really connect withwomen who are struggling with specificissues that you probably have neverexperienced?

RH – I relate. No two life experiencesare the same, but I find that ourhuman hearts are very similar. The gen-erational and personality differences inmy family left me with a sense of dis-connect with my mother much of mylife. Add to that my father’s distanceand unpredictability due to his ownissues. I reacted strongly against the ideaof God as “Father” and was repulsed atthe idea of submission. For many yearsI tried to fill those voids outside theboundaries in too many ways to tell,which only added up to more pain,instead of bringing the fulfillmentwhich I was seeking. God is theCounselor and Healer. He makes theconnections. It’s the coolest thing ever

Ruth’s Storycont inued from page 4

cont inued on page 7

grace of God than Mike Kidd. Justbringing up the topic would causeMike to cry. He went from feelinghopeless and lost to being a hope-giverto hundreds. Mike could be brutallyhonest when necessary…and he wouldthen follow that up with a hug andoverflowing grace. It was an experienceI’ve never encountered in anotherearthly relationship.

And the sign said, “Everybody welcome.Come in, kneel down and pray”

But when they passed around the plateat the end of it all, I didn’t have apenny to pay

So I got me a pen and a paper and Imade up my own little sign

I said, “Thank you, Lord, for thinkin’‘bout me. I’m alive and doin’ fine.”

Grateful. Thankful. Blessed. Thoseare words Mike would use to describehis life. He knew God had redeemedhis life from the pit and he was quick

to tell others his story.Mike died August 10, 2012 shortly

after cancer was diagnosed. He lived justpast his 63 birthday, three “bonus” yearslonger than he ever expected. He fin-ished strong — and now he’s more alivethan ever, and doin’ just fine.

[Dan Burton serves as CampusMinister/Dean of Men for CincinnatiChristian University. Mike Kidd spent thoselast days of his life on earth with Dan andhis family. We extend our sincere thanks toDan for his care of our dear brother andfriend during those difficult days and forwriting this beautiful, fitting tribute.]

IN MEMORIAM

Mike Kiddcont inued from cover page

No two lifeexperiences are thesame, but I find thatour human heartsare very similar.

– Ruth Henn

6

NOVEMBER 2012

In January 2013 Prodigal Ministriesis set to take its group support ministryto an even higher level of effectivenessby utilizing a new, first-of-its-kind videoand workbook curriculum. Years in themaking, “Hope for Wholeness” will

bring into Prodigal’s grouproom numerous men andwomen recognized as thenation’s leading teachersand speakers on the com-plex issues of homosexuali-ty and Christ-centered,Biblically-based counseling.

“Our support groupsare critical to our mis-sion,” says Prodigal’s exec-utive director, Jerry

Armelli. “A significant portion of ourclients receive guidance, encouragementand accountability through our groups.”

“Structuring our group sessionsaround a professional, Biblically-basedcurriculum is not new ground for us,”Jerry explains. “But this if the firstDVD-based curriculum and by far themost comprehensive, practical programthat we have encountered. All of us onstaff are excited about the new dimen-sion ‘Hope for Wholeness’ will bring toour groups.”

The DVD lessons feature testimonialsby numerous individuals who formerlystruggled with same-gender attractionor other forms of gender brokenness.

In addition to the 17 video lessons,“Hope for Wholeness” includes a work-book, which is the product of sixauthors, all of whom have years of expe-rience in Christian counseling for menand women struggling with same-gen-der attraction or other forms of sexualbrokenness.

“The potential value of this dynamicseries in the greater Cincinnati areareaches beyond Prodigal’s supportgroup sessions,” Armelli adds. “‘Hopefor Wholeness’ will be an excellentresource and tool for pastors or for any-one desiring to better understand theseissues or in a position to encourage per-sons seeking to walk away from homo-sexuality and to become the men orwomen God designedthem to be.”

To that end,during the firstquarter of 2013,Prodigal Ministrieswill be holding aseries of seminarsto introduce thecurriculum topastors and otherinterested parties.

Persons interestedin attending orhosting a seminar should contact Jerry at513-861-0011, or Jerry.Armelli@Prodigal-Ministries.org.

Prodigal set to launchground-breakingvideo curriculum

“…this if the firstDVD-based

curriculum and byfar the most

comprehensive,practical program

that we haveencountered.”

– Jerry Armelli

NOVEMBER 2012

to get to be part of what He is doing!

Ed. – What would you want to add inconclusion?

RH – I’ve heard it said, “I don’t believein miracles, I depend on them!” And Iidentify with that. I know that God isbig enough and loving enough to han-dle whatever we trust to Him, becausewhat was impossible for me, He’s done.Name any area of my life, and it’s gotHis name on it. I could tell you somany stories! Where I talked about feel-ing emptiness, there’s overflow. I dohave a few scars, but with every mark,now I have stories of forgiveness to tell.Health and relationships have beenrestored. Stuff that’s beyond coinci-dence and out of my control, He’sdone…Even now, change and restorationin my parents in their eighties. It’s awhole new story! I now look at chal-lenges as opportunity to see what Godwill do. He took me from terrified ofhaving a child, to a house full of fun,love, and healing, and yes a few messes,(and lots of those “opportunities”/challenges I mentioned, too!) Fromdepression to purpose. From anxiety topeace. From anger to gentleness. Fromcompulsion to self-control… And ofcourse I’m still growing! I love theadventure of non-stop intimate connec-tion with God, bringing freedom andresponsibility. Purpose lived out of Hisoverflow. His life & love creating familyand friends.

Now that you’ve got me going, I couldgo on and on…But to sum it up: HisWord is alive.

For He satisfies the longing soul,And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

(Psalm 107:9)

A father to the fatherless, a defender ofwidows, is God in his holy dwelling.God sets the lonely in families, he leads outthe prisoners with singing; but the rebel-

lious live in a sun-scorched land.“(Psalm 68:5-6)

The Lord will guide you continually,And satisfy your soul in drought,And strengthen your bones;You shall be like a watered garden,And like a spring of water, whose waters donot fail.Those from among you shall build the oldwaste places...They shall raise up the former desolations,And they shall repair the ruined cities,The desolations of many generations.

(Isaiah 58:11-12a, 61:4b)

Ruth’s Storycont inued from page 5

7

Prodigal Ministries’attractive tri-foldbrochure is a greattool to increaseawareness ofProdigal’s unique,Christ-centeredcounselingand support.Succinctly andcompassionatelyit coversProdigal’s mis-

sion, foundational truths and profes-sional services. Along with a personalendorsement, pass one on to your sen-ior pastor, youth pastor, missions direc-tor… or to a friend. Strategically placebulk copies in your church, your placeof business, or public venue. God onlyknows whose life might be trans-formed through such a simple action.

To order free copies, contact ProdigalMinistries via phone, email or Webform.

GodOnly Knows…

“From terrified ofhaving a child...to ahome full of fun,love and healing.”

– Ruth Henn

Dear Friends:

Prodigal Ministries’ 26th year is quickly drawing to a close. For all of us on theboard and staff, this has been another year during which God has confirmed overand over again both His faithfulness and His desire to continue reaching outthrough this ministry.

Both truths have been demonstrated most notably by the very fact that hundredsof precious individuals seeking to walk away from a troubling sexual lifestyle or distort-ed gender identity have found their way to our doors. And they have done so in spiteof all the obstacles that Satan has presented to keep them away. Obstacles such as anincreasingly hostile culture…an intensely negative campaign by vocal “gay affirming”groups on our university campuses…and in spite of growing confusion within theorganized church regarding God’s creative intent in sexuality and marriage.

Another poignant example of God’s faithfulness to and design for this ministrystems from the loss of Mike Kidd, our beloved senior support group leader. Even inthe midst of our grief over the loss of a dear friend and brother, we were crying outto the Lord, “How can we possibly fill the void Mike’s absence will leave in this min-istry?” And with that cry still on our lips and in our hearts, a thankful, former clientapproached Jerry and asked to be taken on as an intern in our group support out-reach. I never cease to be amazed at God’s desire to meet our needs in ways that wecannot even ask for or imagine!

One final example of God’s faithfulness and design that I must mention centerson our financial support. During the 2011 fiscal year, Prodigal Ministries receivedseveral significant, one-time gifts. Upon receiving those unusual gifts we immediatelybegan praying that God would show us clearly how those gifts should be applied tothe ministry. By the end of that year we did not yet have clear direction and there-fore closed the year with a surplus.

Today, we understand that the apparent lack of direction regarding how to usethose funds to expand one or another aspect of the ministry was in fact God’s per-fect answer to our prayers. During this year, you see, our normal operating expensesconsiderably exceeded our revenues. God had given us — in advance — the fundsthat we needed to meet this year’s expenses without debt.

God is faithful! He does continue to work powerfully through ProdigalMinistries. And we will trust Him to supply our needs.

We thus do not plead with you, our prayer partners, to join our critical financialsupport team. But we do want to make your aware of our needs and we do ask thatyou honestly ask God whether a portion of the funds with which He has entrustedyou should be directed to expanding the Kingdom through Prodigal Ministries.

Be assured, always, that all funds received will be applied directly to our missionof helping precious individuals struggling with same-gender attraction or otherforms of sexual brokenness find freedom and joy in an intimate relationship to Godthrough Jesus Christ.

To Him alone be the glory!

Larry PlumChairman of the Board

PRODIGAL MINISTRIES • P.O. BOX 19949 • CINCINNATI, OHIO 45219 • 513.861.0011 • WWW.PRODIGAL-MINISTRIES.COM

NOVEMBER 2012

PRODIGAL MINISTRIESP.O. Box 19949

Cincinnati, Ohio 45219-0949513-861-0011

www.Prodigal-Ministries.com

from the desk of our chairman

Larry PlumChairman, Prodigal Ministries