S.T.A.R.T.  Seeking Transformation And Restoration Together  

Mission: To instill a vision and stir a passion among God's people to seek to restore God's design for sexuality within the souls of His people and offer hope of restoration to a sexually distorted society.

Our sexuality,  masculinity and femininity are intricately interwoven into the very fabric of our souls.  The health and well being of our sexuality is directly related to our capacity to worship God with intimacy and integrity.

Satan has strategically directed his attacks upon distorting and damaging our sexuality.  His attacks have been directed through child sexual abuse,  incest, homosexuality,  sexual promiscuity,  lust,  pornography.

S.T.A.R.T. seeks to provide direct ministry toward those who are sexually broken.  Ministry will be conducted through individual therapy,  group and marriage therapy.  S.T.A.R.T. envisions starting a residential treatment ministry for men struggling with sexual addiction and homosexuality.  Men will come for a period of one month to 12 months,  depending on their treatment needs.  For men who have completed the program,  they will be able to come to the S.T.A.R.T. house during times of temptation, struggles or relapse. S.T.A.R.T. will be a 24 hour a day refuge and loving support.

Also there are plans to develop a ministry to adolescents where they can come for counseling, support, instruction and love when they are confronted with personal conflicts regarding sexuality.  Sexual immorality,  crisis pregnancy, questions, relational struggles,  STD's., etc.  Young people will identify S.T.A.R.T. has a place to come to in seeking answers to sexual struggles.  Communicating God's truth concerning sexuality in a loving and supportive context.  Each week there will be group times for young men and women to learn God's design for sexuality in a creative, fun and challenging context.  Crisis counselors will be available throughout the week.  Hopefully.  it will become a "hangout" for young people.  There is a property available for this ministry.

In addition to providing direct supportive ministry, S.T.A.R.T. also will provide teaching,  training and equipping for Christian communities,  churches and ministries.  S.T.A.R.T. will provide training resources and presentations addressing the following areas:

 1. Helping,  parents,  churches and youth ministries promote within children a healthy, exciting and comprehensive understanding of God's design for sexuality.  God's design for sexuality is both morally right and personally satisfying.  God's community needs to offer more instruction and insight than "don't think of it (sex) or do it until marriage.

 2. Train and equip churches to ministry to sexually wounded people.  Those struggling with sexual addiction, sexual identity,  sexual abuse and spouses and family members of "strugglers".  Resources and training will be provided for lay counselors,  supporters, group facilitators.  Instruction will also be provided for Church leadership in assisting them in responding and ministering to sexual "strugglers" in a restorative and redemptive manner.

The initial founders of S.T.A.R.T. are Mike and Barney Swihart.  Mike and Barney are brothers who combine over 30 years experience together in helping men who struggle with sexually addictive sin. Sexual brokenness is an issue that has deeply impacted both Mike and Barney's life in the past. They are men who have a  heart for those who struggle with the fear and shame of sexual abuse and brokenness. Both men are passionate communicators who will share their insights from a Biblical and practical perspective.

Barney Swihart has been in private practice for the past 17 years and holds degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Mary have three children. He grew up in Northern Indiana and graduated from Grace College with a degree in Counseling Psychology. Barney also conducts seminars nationally on the subject of Sexual Addiction. Barney found God's freedom from sexual addiction some years ago and the passion of his life since then has been to bring a message of hope and freedom to men and women who are struggling with issues of sexual sin and brokenness.

Mike Swihart has over 20 years ministry experience in ministering to sexually wounded Christians.  He also, has found God's gracious freedom from sexual addiction and distortion in his own life.  Both he and his wife Bevan has sought and found God's transformation and reconciliation in the redemption of their souls and their marriage of 22 years.  Out of the gratitude and graciousness of God's loving redemption in their lives,  they are committed to investing in God's transformation of others and seeing them restored and committed to reinvesting in the transformation of others.  An integral part of S.T.A.R.T.'s mission is to focus on the transformation and restoration of fellow strugglers and assist them in engaging in the ministry of transformation and restoration of other strugglers.  S.T.A.R.T. is committed to leading,  equipping,  supporting and loving others to fulfill our mission. Mike Swihart has been in private practice for the past 20 years and holds an MA degree in Biblical Counseling from Grace Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Bevan have three children. Mike also grew up in Northern Indiana and currently resides there. Mike is also a graduate from Miami Christian College.