Are you walking through questions of sexuality, codependency, or watching someone you love struggle—and wondering if freedom is possible?

In this powerful episode, Emily shares her raw and honest story of navigating same-sex attraction, deep codependency, and the lies that held her captive for over a decade. Like so many of us, she tried behavior modification—cutting off the “fruit” of sin—only to discover that true transformation comes when God addresses the roots of the heart.

Through vulnerability and truth, Emily shows us that freedom is possible when we place God first, surrender daily, and walk in community. Her journey isn’t just for those struggling personally—it’s a message of hope for parents, friends, and anyone who longs to love well and experience God’s power to transform.

• The difference between cutting off fruit and digging up roots.

• How codependency hides in friendships and relationships.

• The role of godly community and accountability in healing.

• Practical steps to guard your freedom and walk in surrender.

• Encouragement for parents carrying the weight of their child’s choices.

• Emily’s Book: What Good Little Church Girls Don’t Always Look Like: Understanding Struggle in Light of the Gospel 

• Connect with Emily: • Instagram: @RebirthMinistries • Website: rebirthmin.com

• Melinda’s Book: The Daring Rescue

• ReStory Ministries 

“There is always hope. Even if it doesn’t happen in your timeline, God is still working.” – Emily

This isn’t just another episode… it’s a milestone. Today we celebrate 100 episodes of conversations where faith, family, and identity intersect — and where God’s truth and love meet in powerful ways.

When The Bridge Between Us began, the goal was simple: ✅ Help one parent feel less alone. ✅ Give one family hope. ✅ Keep one heart connected to Jesus.

God has done that — and so much more.

In this special episode, Melinda looks back at key lessons learned from the past 100 conversations, honors the guests and listeners who have made this community what it is, and shares four powerful reminders for standing firm in God’s truth while loving without fear.

4 Key Takeaways from 100 Episodes

1. Never underestimate the power of listening. Testimonies build faith, compassion, and wisdom for how to pray for and love others well.
2. Trust God’s timing and ways. His methods are often unexpected but always purposeful.
3. Grace and truth are not enemies. Both are essential for real transformation.
4. We’re not so different from those we’re praying for. Healing starts with letting God minister to our own hearts.

Daniel 11:32b — “But the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”

Reflection Challenge

This week, take one intentional step to celebrate what God has done in your life on this journey. Grab a journal or note card and answer:

• How has God strengthened you along the way?
• How has He revealed Himself to you?
• What Scripture has He given you to stand on? Write it out and commit it to memory.

Episode Resources

• 📖 The Grace & Truth Paradox by Randy Alcorn
• Related Episodes:
• Garry Ingraham
• Dee Barnes
• Ashley Little
• Wilna van Beek and Ryan Willey
• Kathy Grace Duncan
• Subscribe to The Bridge Between Us Newsletter

🎧 Listen now to be encouraged, challenged, and reminded that you are not alone — and that God is faithful for every step ahead.

When someone you love wrestles with sexual or relational brokenness—or when you’re facing your own shame and questions—where do you turn? Too often, Christians feel unprepared, isolated, or powerless to help. Parents long to rescue their children, but instead end up feeling overwhelmed. Individuals struggle silently, afraid to bring their pain into the light.

In this episode of The Bridge Between Us Podcast, host Melinda Patrick sits down with author and speaker Amy Reardon, who shares her deeply personal journey of same-sex attraction, shame, and healing. Amy’s story is honest, vulnerable, and full of hope. Having walked through brokenness herself, she now ministers to women from all walks of life, pointing them to the freedom and intimacy found in Jesus.

• Hear Amy’s story: growing up in church, unexpected relationships, marriage struggles, and a turning point that brought her back to Christ.

• Learn how shame loses power when we bring it to God.

• Discover practical ways to cultivate intimacy with the Lord—even if you’ve never known what that looks like.

• Gain encouragement as a parent or loved one walking alongside someone in their own healing journey.

Healing is possible. Freedom is real. And your story doesn’t disqualify you—it can become the very tool God uses to help others. Whether you’re a parent longing for your child to experience wholeness or an individual carrying hidden shame, this conversation will remind you: God is faithful, He goes before you, and He provides everything you need for the journey.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Amy Riordan:  Walking In Freedom Ministries

Longing For Intimacy: Hope For Women Struggling With Same-Sex Attraction by Amy Riordan

**For more information or to register for the IN-person RHN Hope Conference Watch Party in Conyers, Ga:  Email [email protected]

You can check out the speakers and workshops here: Restored Hope Network Annual Hope Conference

What do you do when your child comes home and says, “Mom, Dad, I have same-sex attraction” or “I want to embrace an LGBT identity”? For many Christian parents, these moments stir deep conflict and fear. But what if conflict is not something to avoid, but an opportunity to grow in love, truth, and grace?

In this episode, we dive into the heart of family conflict and discover how to handle disagreements without retreating or overreacting. Our guest. June Hunt, unpacks biblical wisdom on conflict resolution, identifying different relational “types” we encounter—attackers like the wolf, snake, and hornet, and avoiders like the turtle, chameleon, and weasel—and explains how to navigate these personalities with courage and compassion.

You’ll also hear powerful personal stories of growing up in a broken home, overcoming bitterness, and learning the power of forgiveness. Most importantly, we’ll explore how Christ transforms our relationships when we surrender our need to win and instead choose to love.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why conflict in families is unavoidable—and how the Bible prepares us for it

• How to identify common conflict “types” and respond wisely to each

• Why forgiveness is essential even when others haven’t changed

• How Christ’s power makes true heart transformation possible

If you’re walking through tension with your kids, spouse, or extended family, this episode will give you practical tools and biblical hope for healing.

Resources Mentioned:

• Key Scriptures: John 16:33, Proverbs 14:25, 29:25, Romans 8:29, 2 Peter 1:3

• Conflict Resolution: Solving Your People Problems by June Hunt

June 1st @ 3pm EST- Melinda Patrick will be speaking with the Exchange Ministries Parent Group. This group is led by Mark Nelson.  

*You may join in person at Trinity Church, Deltona, FL or on Zoom. 

For more information, email: [email protected]

June 20-21st - His Wonderful Works is hosting an in-person watch party for the Restored Hope Network Annual Conference:  

Please email:  [email protected] to register.  

$30/day or $50 for both days.  This includes a box lunch. 

In today's episode, not only does Patti Height share the riveting 'next chapter' of her story, but she also answers one of the most asked questions we receive from parents, family, and friends:  "How can we best minister to those in the LGBTQ community with grace and truth?" 

Listen in and discover:

*God's heart for your loved one

*ways to minister to the one in front of you

*why pressing into Jesus for your joy is not just important to you but also to your loved one

Patti Height is a gifted communicator of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is passionate about the word of God and seeing Jesus set people free. Through her own personal experience of secretly identifying as gay in her heart and mind at twelve and then coming out in her twenties, then getting radically and miraculously saved at 36, she has seen the hand of God at work in a very personal way. In 2012 Patti founded Out Of Egypt ministries, where she travels the country and internationally, in churches, high schools, colleges and other venues, equipping Christians to bring the gospel, via grace and truth, to the LGBT+ community. 

Connect with Patti:

Out of Egypt Ministries

Those who experience same-sex attraction or gender confusion aren't the only ones who fall into the trap of the Enemie's lies.  

Our guest today, Patti Height, is all too familiar with the bondage that comes from believing and living in the deception of homosexuality. 

Listen in to today's episode with Patti Height as she shares Part One of her God-story.  

Connect with Patti:

Out of Egypt Ministries

If you are needing some extra hope and encouragement this week, here are the top 10 Episodes for Moms (not in any particular order):

Eps 27 Encouragement and Hope For All Moms: The Grieving Mother, The Mother Who Has Been Blocked Or Distanced From Her Child, The Mother Who Struggles With Mom Guilt and the Mom Who Is Doing Her Best To Stand Strong

Gretchen Stockman – Help For the Parent Who Has Been Estranged From Their Child {Eps 78}

Alicia Michelle – How To Show Up With Emotional Confidence with Family and Friends During The Holidays {Eps 72}

Billie Jauss - To The Christian Parent With An LGBTQ-Identified Child: How To Tackle The Disturbing Thoughts That Keep You Up At Night {Eps. 51}

Lori Margo: Tracking God – Positioning Ourselves to See God In the Midst Of A Difficult Season {Eps 48}

Sarah Frazer – Navigating Through Life When This Isn’t What You Signed Up For {Eps 46}

How To Overcome Grief When It Is Impacting Your Life and Relationship With Your LGBTQ Identified Child {Eps 41}

Taking Territory Back: How To Release the Power of God In Your Prayers For Your LGBTQ+ Loved One, Part Two with Lindsey Kiser

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity {Eps 31}

Eps 9 – The Loudest Roar: Living In The Unshakable Victory Of Christ with Judy Dunagan

Connect with Christy Summers:

Redeemed Seasons

Lindsey Kiser - a returning guest on The Bridge Between Us and author of Piercing The Night is extending invitation to band together as the Psalm 68 army of women in the place of intercession to contend for our LGBTQ loved ones and the generations.

“The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host. The kings of the enemies’ armies, they flee, they flee! She who tarries at home divides the spoil [left behind].” Psalm 68:11-12

For more information or to register: 

Frontier Company

To purchase Lindsey's book:  

Piercing The Night: Strategic Intercession To Set the LGBTQ+ Captives Free

Previous TBBU episodes with Lindsey Kiser:

Eps 37 - Piercing The Night: Strategic Intercession To Set The LGBTQ+ Captives Free

Eps 38 - Taking Territory Back: How To Release The Power of God in Your Prayers For Your LGBTQ-Identified Loved One

Please share this episode.   

*This shownote contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will make a commission at no extra cost to you.​

Do you ever feel that if you stop praying for your loved one they won't come to know Jesus or that God will stop pursuing your child? 

In today's Bridge Between Us episode, author and Executive Director of Restored Hope Network, Anne Edward, is joining Melinda Patrick. 

Anne has a story that hopefully will allow parents to take a deep breath and rest as they continue to trust Jesus for the outcome of their loved one. 

Melinda and Anne also talk about the importance of community and how you can find that through Restored Hope Network.

Anne Edward--formerly Anne Paulk--is the executive director and a board member of Restored Hope Network which is a coalition of over 50 ministries, pastors, spiritual mentors, and licensed therapists in the U.S. supporting individuals who are dealing with unwanted LGBT issues in their lives and who want to align with their values.

Anne left lesbianism years ago because she wanted to align with her faith and found greater meaning, identity, emotional, and relational thriving than in her prior experience. For decades, she has advocated for men and women who are in various stages of dealing with unwanted same-sex attractions through writing books, articles, and giving radio, TV, and print interviews. Some of these included Oprah, Good Morning America, The Gospel Coalition, Focus on the Family, FamilyTalk, Newsweek, People, CBS Evening News, Coral Ridge, the 700 Club, and the Brad Dacus Show.

To connect with Anne Edward:

Restored Hope Network

To connect with Melinda Patrick:

www.melindapatrick.org

Discount code for RHN Hope 2025 - Bridge25  (**Code expires on May 9. 2025)

More information regarding RHN Hope 2025 watch parties: RHN watch parties

Prior episodes mentioned:

Andrew Rodriguez

Gretchen Stockman

Dean Greer with Living Waters

Kathy Grace Duncan with Portland Fellowship