A woman found more than a roof over her head when she turned to a church for help. She found hope through Christian Family Solutions’ Member Assistance Program (MAP).

When Christy was searching for help, she was simply looking for a roof over her head. Before being referred to Christian Family Solutions, she, her husband, and her son had been staying in temporary housing, sometimes in a church, a garage, or a hotel, as her husband’s alcohol addiction continued to worsen. The emotional toll weighed heavily. Her son, then 17, was becoming increasingly distant. “We were in survival mode,” she said.

This desperate season set the stage for the help she never expected to find. Not just shelter, but healing through counseling and faith. Homeless and navigating the chaos of her abusive and alcoholic husband, she sought support at a local church. She didn’t know it then, but this would lead to something far more life-changing.

The pastor at Salem Lutheran in Scottsdale, Arizona, referred her to Christian Family Solutions through the Member Assistance Program (MAP). What Christy found was not only a safe place to process her pain but also a renewed relationship with Christ and a counselor who walked with her through one of the hardest seasons of her life.

“I was nervous. I was scared. I didn’t know what to say,” Christy recalled. But her CFS counselor provided steady encouragement and both mental and spiritual care. “You can tell it’s not just a job for her,” Christy said. “She’s got these fruits [of the Spirit], and you can sense it in her smile and how she’s filled with love and truly cares.”

Each session began and ended in prayer, a rhythm that anchored Christy’s healing. “Having someone listen to you, and having the Word of God behind it, just brings that counseling level up so much higher,” she said. “Every time the session would end, there was so much peace. I felt like I could conquer the world.”

As Christy began her sessions, her husband’s health rapidly declined. He was hospitalized with complications from alcoholism and passed away. Christy’s sessions during this time became a crucial part of her support system. “She helped me process not only years of abuse but also the grief of losing him,” Christy shared. “I don’t know how I would’ve walked through that without her and without God.”

Alongside counseling, Christy also experienced growth in her faith. She found herself diving deeper into Scripture, attending church, and building spiritual routines. “The more I read the Bible, the more I went to church, the more real it became. God became more present in my life.”

Through this journey, she found peace, strength, and clarity. “I noticed that I’m a lot calmer. I’m definitely smiling more. I feel like I’m closer to Jesus.” Her son, who had also been struggling, began to thrive again. As Christy healed, she was able to reconnect with him and their relationship grew stronger.

Christy’s story reminds us that God meets us right where we are. Sometimes in the middle of chaos, sometimes in the form of a pastor or counselor, and often when we least expect it.

“The Lord can still bless even in the middle of messiness,” Christy said. “He’s always present.”

You can partner with MAP!

The Member Assistance Program (MAP) helps churches, schools, and organizations support the mental health and wellness of their members and staff. Through MAP, members gain access to affordable, Christ-centered counseling when they need it most.

Learn more about MAP

Donate to help cover the cost of MAP sessions