The Bridge Between Us: Loving Your LGBTQ-identified Child Without Compromising Truth – Details, episodes & analysis

Have you ever wonder if what you say really makes a difference?  

In today's episode, Mark Nelson, Executive Director of Exchange Ministries, joins Melinda and shares an awe-inspiring testimony of God's powerful intervention in his life.  

Mark's testimony is fuls of Holy Spirit inspired moments that leave you wanting to know more. 

Listine in to discover:

*how words spoken over Mark made a life changing difference for him

*ways that we can speak life over our loved ones

Connect with Mark: 

Exchange Ministries

Next Week: Tune in as we Mark shares Part 2 of his transformation story. 

Thank you for listening to The Bridge Between Us! Remember, God has entrusted this journey to you, as you engage with Him He will equip you for each next step.

Please share this episode with others. 

If you haven’t left a review for The Bridge Between Us Podcast, please take 1-3 minutes to do so.  This helps other parents to know if this is the right podcast for them.

Welcome to The Bridge Between Us Podcast, where we navigate the challenges and opportunities of walking alongside LGBTQ-identified loved ones from a Biblical perspective. Hosted by Melinda Patrick, today’s solo episode is all about being your own advocate as you build a support team for your personal journey.

In Today’s Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• The importance of a support system and how Jesus’ story of raising Lazarus teaches us that no one walks the journey alone.
• The need for Godly counsel and guidance in your healing process.
• Signs to look for that indicate you might need professional help, including counselors or therapists, to aid you through grief or trauma.
• How to interview a counselor to ensure they align with your Biblical convictions and are a good fit for your needs.
• Practical questions you should ask potential counselors to be your own advocate.
• The role of trusting in God’s process and finding freedom not just for your loved one, but for yourself too.

Key Scriptures Discussed:

• John 11:44 – The story of Lazarus: Jesus doesn’t expect us to walk alone.
• Galatians 6:2 – Carry one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ.
• Romans 8:28-29 – God works all things for our good and transforms us into the image of His Son.
• Proverbs 11:14, 20:5, 24:6 – The wisdom and safety found in seeking godly counsel.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a support team of friends, prayer warriors, counselors, and more is essential to emotional and spiritual healing.
• A biblical counselor can provide guidance and a fresh perspective when you're stuck in grief or difficult circumstances.
• As a self-advocate, you have the right to interview and find the right counselor who aligns with your values.
• Healing and freedom aren’t just for your loved one—they’re for YOU too. Your journey is just as much about your own transformation.

Red Flags: Signs You May Need Help

Melinda shares some red flags to watch for to determine if you might be struggling with grief or trauma:

1. Difficulty remembering the last time you laughed or enjoyed time with loved ones.
2. Struggling to engage in activities you once loved.
3. Feeling emotionally drained by everyday tasks.
4. Avoiding people or conversations.
5. Trouble celebrating others’ successes.
6. Feeling overwhelmed by bitterness, guilt, or sadness.

Questions to Ask Your Counselor:

• How does your Christian faith influence your approach to therapy?
• What’s your view on marriage and gender?
• What do you believe about homosexuality, and how does that affect your counseling approach?
• Do you see the Bible as the final authority in your practice?

These questions will help you determine if a counselor aligns with your faith and values before diving deeper into the therapeutic process.

Resources Mentioned:

• Restored Hope Network
• Helpful previous TBBU episodes:  Eps 89, Eps 41

Want to Connect?
Melinda loves to hear from listeners! If you’re navigating your own journey, need encouragement, or want to share your story, feel free to email Melinda at melinda@melindapatrick.org.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need it.

Until next time, remember:
God has entrusted this journey to you. As you engage with Him, He will equip you for each next step.

*Disclaimer:
The opinions and advice shared on this podcast are intended for informational purposes and are not a substitute for professional counseling. Always seek appropriate guidance and support for your personal needs.

It will never happen to our child, our family, or in our school.  Words from almost every parent across America.

Until it does.

January Littlejohn and her husband thought the same thing until one day, everything changed.

Listen in to Melinda Patrick’s conversation with January Littlejohn and learn how to be a voice for your child and family - in the church and at home. 

Connect with January Littlejohn: 

 https://donoharmmedicine.org/share-your-concern/

Dr. Miriam Grossman notice to schools: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IECbkuP4QZ20ZOdfrF3DtILlMGqO2Leq/edit

Resources mentioned:

Christian Resources on Gender Ideology

Books and articles:
The Church Transgender Response Guide – https://childparentrights.org/church-transgender-
response-guide/

For the Body by Timothy Tennent

When Harry Became Sally – by Ryan Anderson

Lost in Trans Nation – by Dr. Miriam Grossman

Perfected with Love– by Walk Heyer –

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/mary-hasson-parents-pastors-transgender-
gender-ideology-person-and-identity/

Organizations:

The Person and Identity Project- https://personandidentity.com/
Focus on the Family – https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/transgender-resources/
Identity Project – https://identityproject.tv/
Family Research Council – https://www.frc.org/sexuality
Eden’s Redemption – https://edensredemption.org/
Sex Change Regret- https://sexchangeregret.com/

Help 4 Families by Living Stone Ministries – https://livingstonesministries.org/help4families/

Documentaries:
Dysphoria – https://www.fearlessfeatures.org/dysphoria
In His Image – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3YKpnrzmqc
Tranzformed- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebodf8rWpv4
Mary Hasson speech- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S96KBTBiYuA
Videos – https://identityproject.tv/watch/how-can-i-respond-to-a-child-or-friend-with-gender-
confusion

Resources to inoculate young children:
Articles:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/kids-navigate-transgender-ideology/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/tips-talking-kids-transgender/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/talking-to-your-children-about-transgender-
issues/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/8-things-parents-gender-transition/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/different-pronouns-explaining-lgbt-pronoun-
usage-to-our-kids/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/reinforce-your-childs-sexual-identity/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/what-is-gender-identity/

Children’s Books:

God Made Boys and Girls- Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender

No More Secrets

I’m Glad God Made Me a Girl

Elephants Are Not Birds

God Made Me in His Image: Helping Children Appreciate Their Bodies – by Justin and Lindsey
Holcomb

He is He – by Bethan Bomberger

She Is She – by Bethany and Ryan Bomberger

In the Image of God: A Story of Identity and Value

Secure Daughters, Confident Sons: How Parents Guide Their Children into Authentic Masculinity
and Femininity

As a parent, you want to do everything possible to set your child up for success.  

In this episode, Ashley Little shares how God used her parents, brother, and others in her healing journey.

A reminder for us all: every person's healing is different. God's ultimate goal in recovery is to draw us into a personal relationship with Him.  Don't become so fixated on the healing that you miss out on the grandest adventure:  an intimate relationship with the God of all creation.  

Listen in and discover ways to:

*pray for your child

*take practical steps in the healing journey

*handle triggers

*be a safe place for your loved one

Please share this podcast with a friend, your pastor, youth pastor, and ministry leader.  

If you want to subscribe to The Bridge Between Us Newsletter, click here.

Watch Ashley's documentary 'The Greater Love' here. 

Other mentions in the podcast:

The Amazing Love Event

Sy Rodgers

Psalm 84: 10 - Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Even though they were armed and equipped, Scripture tells us the children of Ephraim ‘turned back in the day of battle’.

Psalm 78 also tells us why: They did not keep the covenant of God, refused to walk in His laws, and forgot His works and wonders that He had shown them.

Listen to learn one tip you can begin applying to your life today to ensure you don’t turn back on the day of battle.

Please share with a friend.  We are stronger together!

Are you weary in hope?  Is the flame of your faith down to an ember?  

Listen in today as The Bridge Between Us host Melinda Patrick and Founder of His Wonderful Works, Dee Barnes, talk about how Truth, spoken to Dee from an unlikely source, set her free and :

*why testimonies are so important

*the differing views on Christian doctrine, identity, and homosexuality

You will be encouraged and discover how to better love and pray for your LGBTQ-identified loved one. 

Links to ministries mentioned in Eps 2:

His Wonderful Works, Inc.

Restored Hope Network

Joe Dallas

Changed Movement

Portland Fellowship and the 4 Lanes download

Laura Perry

Subscribe here for The Bridge Between Us Newsletter.

Each week I will give one tip to equip us to walk this journey with boldness, strength, and compassion. 

Today’s tip comes from Episode 1 – Holding On To Truth In A Shifting Culture

Daniel 11:32 states: Those who do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. NKJV

ESV  - but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action

Listen in to learn one tip you can begin to apply in your life today.

Walking in the tension of grace and Truth can be one of the most difficult feats of a Christian parent with an LGBTQ identified child.  

It's only possible with the Holy Spirit as our guide. 

In Episode 1 of The Bridge Between Us, as you listen in you will learn:

*the biblical definition of love

*how to walk in Truth

*the importance of holding firm to truth in a shifting culture 

Download the prayer for your journey, here. 

Please share this podcast and head over to Apple podcast to rate and review. 

It will never happen to our child, our family, or in our school.  Words from almost every parent across America.  

Until it does.

January Littlejohn and her husband thought the same thing until one day, everything changed. 

Listen in to Melinda Patrick's conversation with January Littlejohn and learn what questions you need to be asking, signs you need to be looking for in your school system, and what you can do to help your child.  

Connect with January Littlejohn: 

 https://donoharmmedicine.org/share-your-concern/

Dr. Miriam Grossman notice to schools: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IECbkuP4QZ20ZOdfrF3DtILlMGqO2Leq/edit

Resources mentioned:

Christian Resources on Gender Ideology

Books and articles:
The Church Transgender Response Guide - https://childparentrights.org/church-transgender-
response-guide/

For the Body by Timothy Tennent 

When Harry Became Sally - by Ryan Anderson

Lost in Trans Nation – by Dr. Miriam Grossman 

Perfected with Love- by Walk Heyer -

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/mary-hasson-parents-pastors-transgender-
gender-ideology-person-and-identity/

Organizations:

The Person and Identity Project- https://personandidentity.com/
Focus on the Family – https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/transgender-resources/
Identity Project - https://identityproject.tv/
Family Research Council - https://www.frc.org/sexuality
Eden’s Redemption - https://edensredemption.org/
Sex Change Regret- https://sexchangeregret.com/

Help 4 Families by Living Stone Ministries - https://livingstonesministries.org/help4families/

Documentaries:
Dysphoria - https://www.fearlessfeatures.org/dysphoria
In His Image - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3YKpnrzmqc
Tranzformed- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebodf8rWpv4
Mary Hasson speech- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S96KBTBiYuA
Videos – https://identityproject.tv/watch/how-can-i-respond-to-a-child-or-friend-with-gender-
confusion

Resources to inoculate young children:
Articles:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/kids-navigate-transgender-ideology/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/tips-talking-kids-transgender/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/talking-to-your-children-about-transgender-
issues/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/8-things-parents-gender-transition/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/different-pronouns-explaining-lgbt-pronoun-
usage-to-our-kids/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/reinforce-your-childs-sexual-identity/
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/what-is-gender-identity/

Children’s Books:

God Made Boys and Girls- Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender

No More Secrets 

I’m Glad God Made Me a Girl 

Elephants Are Not Birds 

God Made Me in His Image: Helping Children Appreciate Their Bodies – by Justin and Lindsey
Holcomb 

He is He – by Bethan Bomberger 

She Is She – by Bethany and Ryan Bomberger

In the Image of God: A Story of Identity and Value

Secure Daughters, Confident Sons: How Parents Guide Their Children into Authentic Masculinity
and Femininity