"Encourage one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13).
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

"But with You there is forgiveness" (Psalm 130:4). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).


She was raised in an ungodly home where she experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse from her mother’s boyfriend as well as his step-dad. Due to this ongoing abuse Yvette ran away from home when she was fourteen and lived on the streets.

She describes her life for the next 20 years as a series of addictions to alcohol, drugs, tobacco and sexual immorality. She had an abortion, as well as two children by two different men in abusive marriages. Many would call her life a "hopeless cause."  But with God there are no hopeless causes!

A friend invited Yvette to church and for the first time in her life she heard the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness. Thus began the major overhaul that is the process of spiritual transformation. After a couple years of staggered spiritual growth she came into our church with a tremendous amount of baggage that often contributed to her wavering Christian experience.

Over the next several years Brooksyne and I, along with the congregation, spent a great deal of time praying with her and sharing specific Scriptures pertinent to the current trial she was facing. She spent a lot of time in our home – we wanted her to witness a Christian family setting.

Yvette continued to experience great loss in her life and was homeless for a period as well.  She did tremendous battle with the enemy who still greatly desired to have her. But her heart was tender and Jesus desired to have her far more than Satan because He wanted to take the ashes of her life and turn them into something beautiful, and He has done just that.

Due, in part, to her lifestyle prior to becoming a Christian, both of her children followed in her path and entered a sinful lifestyle that was similar to hers. I recall as her pastor, along with our church, frequently praying for her children but seemingly to no avail. Since there were no visible signs of change I must admit my faith was often weak, but we continued to pray. To the left is a photo of her son Joey and daughter Nicole.

Following our departure from New England in 2001 Yvette continued to grow in her faith and from a distance we witnessed and periodically had a role in her continued transformation. Nicole and Joey, have also accepted the Lord and are in active Christian service as they both attend Bible College.

Yvette met Wayne as she worked at a Christian rehabilitation center called Teen Challenge. Wayne received Christ and renounced his old way of life while he was a student of Teen Challenge. Following his graduation he became a staff member.  In January 2006 I had the privilege of conducting their wedding ceremony. They both are serving the Lord together and helping others to find the restoration and new life that Jesus Christ offers to all those who turn to Him.


In Christ there is complete and continual forgiveness! There’s no hopeless cause. He is able to save to the uttermost. A statement from a book I read many years ago by Max Lucado comes to mind. He uses it to conclude a powerful redemptive story of a wayward child. It’s God’s call to all: "Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn’t matter. Please come home."

Update 5/30/11

This Memorial Day weekend Wayne and Yvette drove down from New England for a visit. They continue to serve the Lord and are preparing to launch a church plant in the inner city of Springfield, Massachusetts, as the Lord directs them.

Yvette's daughter Nicole is a student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and will soon complete her studies. She and her husband had their first child several months ago.

Yvette's son Joseph is a youth pastor in Philadelphia and last summer married Lori, the daughter of Phil and Carol Menditto, who were friends of ours at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in the seventies. Here are some photos from Joey's wedding last June (open page then scroll down).




Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer:  Loving Father, Yvette's story inspires me and spurs me on to pray for my loved ones who just don't get it.  Though I've prayed year after year after year and have felt great frustration at their willful defiance to spiritual truths I want to pray again. They are not hopeless causes, but rather fragile lost souls who have yet to recognize or acknowledge their need for redemption from a life of sin. Thank You, Jesus, that You save the vilest offenders who surrender their will to You.  All who come to Christ are miracles of Your grace and I commit my loved ones to You once again believing You for their miracle of redemption. In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

A personal word from Yvette: I want to encourage those who are struggling to keep on pressing forward, do not give up, and don’t lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5&6).  God is faithful to those who earnestly seek Him and put Him first (Hebrews 11:6 and Matthew 6:33).  When you’re praying for your loved ones don’t give up when you don’t see instant results or outward change. God works where only He can see the thoughts and intents of the heart (Galatians 6:9).

Yvette singing "Breathe"

For information on becoming a Christian

Teen Challenge is a powerful ministry with a long history of presenting the delivering power of Jesus Christ.

More Life Stories

Max Lucado, “No Wonder They Call Him Savior” (Portland, Oregon; Multnomah Press, 1986) p. 73  "Come Home"  This outstanding story can be read online as well.

"In Heaven's Eyes" McHugh, Phill © 1985 River Oaks Music Company (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 2005306