It is our great honor to have you joining us for. Welcome! There is something cool about being first. Whatever the first is the first to sing a new song, discover something that blesses humankind, or reach the top it s thrilling to be part of something for the first time. Well, to our knowledge you are part of the first international livestream event for blended families in the world. The first stepfamily event to bring together people of different continents, countries, states, cities, and churches. And the first to declare that blended families have blessings and can be a blessing to those around them. And why are we doing this? Because FamilyLife Blended believes that with God s help every family, no matter what it s configuration, can be a conduit of Christ s redeeming power and grace. Your home is no exception. Your family may have experienced a few bumps and bruises and a few hiccups along the way, but being blended doesn t mean you can t also be a blessing. It is our hope that this day will encourage and inspire your family journey as you move deeper into God s grace. We want to educate you about healthy stepfamily living and equip you with practical tools that will strengthen your relationships. And we want to encourage you to challenge your church to be increasingly mindful of stepfamilies. Your family is a redemptive work in progress; your church can be a redemption center for blended families. Join the movement and let s put more blessings in being blended. For the Kingdom, Ron L. Deal Director, FamilyLife Blended PLAN TO CONTINUE HELPING YOUR MARRIAGE AND STEPFAMILY THRIVE. Make sure you are connected to a local church community. Take a few minutes to learn about stepfamily resources at FamilyLife.com/blended. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily doses of inspiration and learning throughout the year. HELP YOUR CHURCH START OR GROW THEIR MINISTRY TO STEPFAMILIES BY: Starting a small group. Contact a Ministry Advisor. It s free and they can help you as you minister in your church. 1-800-FL-Today Attend the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry this year in Nashville. 2 15 #Blended17
THERE ARE NO SECOND CLASS CHRISTIANS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO FIRST CLASS CHRISTIANS. JUST SINNERS IN NEED OF A CROSS. 8:30-10:30 CST SESSION ONE WORSHIP 1: When God Redeems Your Story Don Peslis & Sandi Patty 2: A Dynamic Marriage Jeff & Lakita Wright 10:30-10:50 CST BREAK 10:50-11:45 CST SESSION TWO 3: Compassionate Parenting Gil & Brenda Stuart 11:45-12:45 CST LUNCH 12:45-2:15 CST SESSION THREE WORSHIP 4: Get a New You Tim Lundy 2:15-2:35 CST BREAK 2:35-4:00 CST SESSION FOUR WORSHIP 5: Dedicated to the Journey Ron Deal 14 UNLOCKING THE FUTURE 3 #Blended17
DEDICATED TO THE JOURNEY Ron Deal DON PESLIS & SANDI PATTY JEFF & LAKITA WRIGHT Don has helped young people build strong minds and bodies for nearly three decades. He currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Ministries at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City. Sandi Patty is one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time. In addition to her prolific musical career, she is also the author of seven books. Jeff is CEO of UMI, the largest Christian publishing and media firm serving African American churches. Lakita has been a leader in abstinence and character education since the early 90s, speaking across the country and consulting around the world. The Wrights have three adult children and an active ten-year-old son. GIL & BRENDA STUART TIM LUNDY Gil and Brenda are sought after speakers with a passion to encourage marriages and blended families. Willing to speak the obvious from their own stepfamily adventure, they share their dirt under the fingernails experience. 4 Tim Lundy is the Lead Pastor of Christ Community Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has been in ministry for over 27 years. He has been married to his best friend, Lea, for over 26 years and they have five children at home, as well as two adopted daughters. 13 #Blended17
GET A NEW YOU Tim Lundy BRIAN GOINS Brian is a really cool guy and the Sr. Creative Director in Content Development at FamilyLife. He doesn t look that bad, but you wouldn t know he never gave us his picture. He s married to Jen and has three kids that think he s okay, well, except the teenagers. We suggest laughing at his jokes because he may need some encouragement. MICHELLE HILL In 2005, Michelle landed on staff with FamilyLife. For the last 15+ years, she has been mentoring young women and is passionate about helping them find their identity in God. She also has a fascination for snowflakes and the color yellow. JOSH CHILDS RON DEAL Ron L. Deal is the Director of FamilyLife Blended, a division of FamilyLife, and is the author/coauthor of numerous books. He is one of the most widely read and referenced experts on stepfamily living in the country. Boiled down, Josh Childs is a storyteller. Whether it s writing, acting, on the spot improv, or even hosting, to be a storyteller is the greatest of honors. It is a tool Jesus used to make God famous, so Josh happily follows that example every opportunity he gets. HEIDI PETAK GRACE CHAPEL WORSHIP 12 Heidi Petak is an actor, writer, voiceover artist, and adjunct college professor at Williamson College, using creative methods to help people learn to communicate in more life-giving ways. Grace Chapel Worship is a community of gifted artists who love to worship God and love serving the church. They value authenticity and passionate biblical 5 response to God. #Blended17
WHEN GOD REDEEMS YOUR STORY Don Peslis & Sandi Patty Pick up your All-Access Digital Pass for $25 at the resource center or online by going to blendedandblessed.com/all-access and keep the experience going. TOP 3 REASONS YOU WANT TO TAKE HOME THE BLENDED & BLESSED ALL-ACCESS DIGITAL PASS 1 2 3 You had to use the restroom in the middle of a talk and want to find out what you missed. You didn t drink enough coffee this morning and you were nodding off during one of the key messages. You were abducted by aliens and you re not sure how much of the program you missed. SERIOUSLY, WE ALL FORGET MUCH OF WHAT WE HEAR. What if you could view the key messages from today again to retain and learn more, or even invite another couple to watch them with you. The All-Access Digital Pass lets you take the five key messages from the event home with you. You will be able to stream these messages anytime and as many times as you want over the next year. 6 11 #Blended17
COMPASSIONATE PARENTING Gil & Brenda Stuart A DYNAMIC MARRIAGE Jeff & Lakita Wright 10 7 #Blended17
We are so glad that you ve invested in your family by attending. We pray you will leave this event with the practical, biblical help you need to strengthen your family. But most importantly, that you will leave with hope knowing that you are not alone. You are a valued part of God s kingdom and our community. Now...imagine the truths and hope you ve experienced here spreading...imagine other families of every shape and size finding help for their specific needs in the exact season they are in. You can help make that vision a reality by partnering with FamilyLife! Helping EVERY Family Thrive, One Home at a Time 8 Stepfamilies, single parent homes, first-time newlyweds, and first families all have one thing in common: they need a biblical foundation and a community around them to support healthy growth with accountability. And sadly, we live in a society that is increasingly pulling away from both of these values. Since 1976, FamilyLife has been creating events and resources to help all families not just survive, but thrive. And every outreach like Blended & Blessed is made possible by donations from those who share the vision in fact, donors to FamilyLife are the reason this entire event is available at no cost for everyone attending. YOU can become a part of this help for families. Your gift can: help make FamilyLife events like, Weekend to Remember and The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry available to families like yours... create more FamilyLife Today and FamilyLife Blended radio broadcasts filled with practical, biblical answers to the challenges families like yours face every day make hundreds of resources available for free, 24/7, at FamilyLife.com, including content created specifically for blended families ensure the creation and availability of a wide variety of books and video resources like The Smart Stepfamily, Life in a Blender, and the soon to be released FamilyLife Art of Parenting and more! When you partner with FamilyLife, YOU help more families strengthen life s most important relationships... with God, your spouse, and your children. WATCHING VIA LIVESTREAM? To make a gift online, go to FamilyLife.com/giveblended, or call 1-800-FL-Today to make your donation by phone. Thank you! CALL CENTER HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm IF YOU HAVE BENEFITED FROM WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED TODAY AT WILL YOU PASS ALONG HELP AND HOPE WITH A GIFT TODAY? 9 #Blended17