The Desert Sanctuary

Check in with us as we talk about elections.

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here. 

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We continue our series on Ex-Pastor’s wives and daughters with Bex.

How Religion Lowers our Expectations

The World I Want to Live In

What Kind of Father is the Christian God?

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply!  You can read more about the author here.

Sarah Caton grew up in a small Mormon town in Utah. Her family wasn’t Mormon, though. Her parents were there on a mission to convert Mormons into fundamentalist Baptists.

As a young child, she whole heartedly believed in the family faith and even wanted to become a missionary when she grew up. She taught Sunday School, played the piano for church, and did everything she could to save souls for the Lord. But her main problem was she dared to ask questions and point out inconsistencies whenever she saw them. And then she feared being ostracized if anyone knew she was beginning to have doubts.

In her memoir, Deconstructing- the Memoir of a Preacher’s Daughter, Sarah describes what it was like to be a preacher’s daughter who asked all wrong questions, taking readers on a journey through the struggles she faced and the decisions she made, and ultimately the deconstructing of her faith.

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here. 

Jessica is a DV survivor and advocate, as well as a recovering people pleaser (still working on that one). She is currently homeschooling her three kids and is in the beginning stages of becoming a birth doula. Jessa is passionate about advocacy for women, especially survivors of abuse within the church. In her spare time she loves to play volleyball, read, paint/craft, and work on jigsaw puzzles.

An Open Letter to Christians

In Honor of my Friend

A Prescription for Healing

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  He has three children that are grown.  You can read more about the author here.  

Former Pastor’s Wife

I was in ministry from age 5- 35. I was raised in the independent fundamental baptist cult. Went to Bible college at Pensacola Christian College for a year. Was married at age 19 and have been married for 26 years.  We moved to NY state to help start a church. We were assistant pastor and wife for 9 years and head pastor for 3 years. We have four kids three are now young adults and our youngest is a junior in high school. I home schooled for 14 years. I am currently in college with the goal of becoming a therapist focusing on religious trauma. I am also currently working as a special education assistant teacher in a moderately cognitive impairment middle school classroom. 

An Open Letter to Christians

In Honor of my Friend

A Prescription for Healing

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.  

ATN has grown into the VOICE for traumatized children and their families, schools, and communities. With a membership that reaches around the world, we are proud to be the premier support, education, and advocacy system for those raising or educating traumatized and attachment-disordered children.

Remaining true to the vision of our founder, Nancy Spoolstra:

Our focus is on helping children impacted by trauma and struggling with attachment by equipping the adults — the parents, caregivers and teachers.  

Today, our Board of Directors and a growing team of staff, consultants, and volunteers reach out to families and schools who are meeting the needs of our most precious resource — our children — who struggle with the impacts of their early trauma.

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply!  You can read more about the author here.

Podcast

Jennifer Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker, and advocate, known for her musical talents and commitment to social causes. With a rich history spanning over two decades, Knapp has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Her career includes the remarkable achievement of selling over one million albums with her first three releases: the Gold-certified “Kansas” (1998), “Lay It Down” (2000), and “The Way I Am” (2001). Alongside this commercial success, Knapp has been honored with four Dove Awards and garnered two Grammy nominations.

Hailing from Kansas, Knapp’s musical journey has taken her across the globe, sharing stages with renowned artists like Jars of Clay and gracing the prestigious Lilith Fair Tour in 1999 and 2010. Her artistry has been lauded for its poignant exploration of the human experience intertwined with themes of spirituality.

Despite reaching the pinnacle of her career, Knapp embarked on a transformative hiatus in 2002, only to return seven years later with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for music. Her comeback album, “Letting Go” (2010), debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart, marking a triumphant return to the spotlight.

In addition to her musical endeavors, Knapp is a trailblazer in advocacy, notably becoming the first major artist in the Christian music realm to openly discuss LGBTQ+ identity. This courageous stance sparked national dialogue and led to appearances on influential platforms like Larry King Live and the TEDx stage. In 2012, she founded the non-profit organization Inside Out Faith, dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights within faith communities.

Continuing to evolve as an artist and activist, Knapp recently completed a master’s degree in theological studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, further solidifying her commitment to advancing social justice through music and discourse.

Jennifer Knapp’s multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication to advocacy make her a true Renaissance woman, inspiring audiences worldwide with her music and message of inclusivity and acceptance.

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.  

Rick Pidcock is a writer, poet, musician and speaker who creates new worlds of awareness that foster converging love. He approaches every article, book, album, or presentation as a conversation to cultivate awareness of the complexity, depth, and union within and among us.

After twenty years of leading worship in churches, Rick embarked on a season of spiritual healing where he learned to face his wounds and discover the wonders he had long been suppressing. His journey led him off the stage and drew him home.

He began producing music under the artist name Provoke Wonder, releasing his first full album “Consider the Stars” in 2020. Prior to the album’s release, it was featured at the 2019 BioLogos National Conference, where Rick led a session to share his story and a few songs from the album.

He graduated in 2021 from Northern Seminary with a Master of Arts degree in Worship, where he received the Academic Achievement award.

His first children’s book, What If?, is scheduled to release in 2023.

Rick completed a Fellowship with Baptist News Global, where he is a weekly contributor. His writing has also been featured at the American Academy of Religion, BioLogos, the Bucks County Beacon, the Center for Christogenesis, and Real Clear Religion.

Mark Wingfield, who is the Executive Director and Publisher of Baptist News Global, said: “I hope you’ve come to love the writings of Rick Pidcock, our former Clemons Fellow who is a keen analyst of American religion. Rick’s analysis and opinion pieces are some of our most-read content. And they always produce reactions.”

Rick is a stay-at-home dad and lives in Greenville, SC with his wife and five kids.

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply!  You can read more about the author here.

Anonymous Andrew Podcast: Life and the Choices We Make! A personal journey podcast. Focusing on dating and relationships.

After leaving a three year relationship that I endured deception, infidelity, gaslighting, co-dependency and more, I find myself wandering alone in the desert of empty romance. Needing to break a pattern of dating behavior that brings me to my knees. This podcast explores all aspects of romance from online dating, organic dating, self-love, self-respect, choosing the right partner for a relationships and so much more. Learning to sustain a healthy relationship. Should one should stay in a relationship if it was a poor choice. I have been choosing poorly and making many of these

Cultimatum: The Culture of Cults & Human Trafficking

From the studio of Anonymous Andrew Podcast, we present “Cultimatum,” a new podcast show that uncovers the hidden world of cults and human trafficking. We delve deep into the tactics, brainwashing, and recruiting methods used by these groups, shedding light on their shocking practices. Our podcast is more than just an exposé; it’s a sanctuary for survivors and ex-members who have escaped these organizations. We give them a platform to share their stories, knowing that many are traumatized and that their journeys to recovery are arduous.

Hosts:

Anonymous Andrew: Our main host who guides the discussions with sensitivity and insight.

Melody: A former cult member who co-hosts the show, providing a unique and personal perspective.

Mission: Awareness: Raising awareness about the prevalence of cults and human trafficking, not just in the U.S., but worldwide. Support: Offering a beacon of hope for those still trapped in these dangerous environments, encouraging them to break free and rebuild their lives. Education:

Educating the public on the methods and dangers of these groups, helping to prevent future victims.

What to Expect: In-Depth Analysis: Detailed explorations of the tactics and brainwashing techniques used by cults and human traffickers. Survivor Stories:

Hear firsthand accounts from survivors and ex-members, sharing their harrowing experiences and paths to recovery.

Expert Insights: Interviews with experts in the field, including psychologists, law enforcement officials, and activists.

Global Perspective: Understanding the impact of these groups worldwide and the efforts being made to combat them.

Join Us: We invite you to join us as we explore the harsh realities of these groups while also providing a message of hope and resilience for anyone affected by them. If you are a survivor of a cult or human trafficking and would like to share your story, please reach out to us. Together, we can raise awareness, support survivors, and work towards a safer world for everyone.

Tune in to “Cultimatum”: The Culture of Cults & Human Trafficking” and become part of our mission to shine a light on these dark corners of society and offer hope to those in need

Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward,  Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity.  He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community.  He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston.  His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.

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