Saturday’s Breakout Sessions

Darby Strickland

Morning Session 1 hour with Q&A - When Oppression Touches Our Children: A Mother’s Cry for Wisdom and Hope
Mothers living under oppression carry not only their own pain but also the ache of watching their children bear its effects. Fear, guilt, and confusion can press in—how do you protect them, shepherd their hearts, and entrust them to the Lord when your own world feels unstable? In this talk, we will open God’s Word to offer mothers biblical wisdom and comfort. 

Afternoon Session 45 minutes – Walking with Grown Children and Generations in the Wake of Abuse
The effects of oppression often continue into adulthood. Grown children may struggle in their relationships, become distant, or even repeat harmful patterns. In this breakout, we will explore how to speak honestly with adult children about abuse, respond wisely when they resist or minimize, and engage with hope as a mother or grandmother facing generational struggles. You will be reminded that while you cannot control every outcome, Christ offers truth and grace for you and your family across generations.

Dr. Heather Evans

Why Me? Finding Hope In A Difficult Place
Discovering how to find your voice through lament and consideration of where we are placing our hope.

Betsey Iannarelli

Finding Hidden Treasure Through Hands-On Creation
Expressing hope through the creative process.

Christopher Menges

Legal Considerations
Judge Menges will answer questions and provide needed information to address legal issues related to domestic abuse.

Sacred Spaces

From Pieces To Peace – Re-Creating The Attributes Of Our Creator
Sacred Spaces is a place to seek the Lord through an interactive, meditative experience.

Our Speakers

Joy Forrest

Joy Forrest is the author of Called to Peace: A Survivor’s Guide to Finding Peace & Healing After Domestic Abuse and the Called to Peace Companion Workbook. Joy holds an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been active in counseling ministry since 2005. She has been an advocate for victims of abuse since 1997 and is a certified advocate with the NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Darby Strickland

Darby Strickland is a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), where she’s served since 2003. She holds a Master of Divinity degree with a counseling emphasis from Westminster Theological Seminary. Darby brings passion and expertise in helping the vulnerable and oppressed, especially women in abusive marriages.
Darby is the author of Is It Abuse? (P&R, 2020) and When It’s Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma and Walking Faithfully with Sufferers (P&R, 2025), as well as several minibooks.

Heather Evans

Heather Evans is a compassionate Social Worker, Therapist, Author, and Speaker dedicated to amplifying voices, inspiring hope, and fostering posttraumatic growth. With a global perspective, she specializes in working with trauma survivors, caregivers, and communities, advocating for the marginalized and promoting trauma-informed healing.