In 1985 I was worn out physically, emotionally and spiritually. I had served as associate pastor, youth pastor, family counselor and most everything in between. But, I had finally come to the end of myself. You noticed I used the word "I" a lot and then I said "finally." Those are both really key words here. One day I told Mary “I” could not "do it" one more day. I resigned my position as pastor with no idea what we would do. Though we had always worked together, Mary was, as we say, "still standing." She had not yet reached the end of Mary. It was only days though until she came to the realization that her identity had been wrapped up in being the pastor's wife. She came down pretty hard.

We spent several weeks on a farm owned by one of my deacons down in South Georgia where I built a barn and Mary washed clothes by hand, etc. It was hot. I mean hotter than I had ever known it could be. Now I knew when I resigned from the church that something was wrong, but it was there on the farm that I realized that God did not really need Phil and what I could do for him. It was there in a field that I said, "OK, God, if this is the Christian life, you can have it.I quit." It was as though God said, "FINALLY."

In the weeks that followed, we came in contact with two books and a friend that changed our lives. I read Handbook to Happiness and Release of the Spirit, and at about the same time, a friend of Mary's got her to thinking about what her relationship with God was really all about. We both, within a few days of each other, came to the place of accepting our Co-Crucifixion, Co-Resurrection and New life in Christ.

With our new understanding of life and what it really is, we wanted a ministry that would allow us to work together. It would have to allow Christ to express Himself through us in the context of sharing our new passion. At that time, we considered several ministry opportunities, but found nothing that fit what we believed Jesus wanted to do through us. It was in November of 1987 that Safe Place was born. In the early days, we did a number of things as we had plenty of time and no one really knew we were there. As the ministry has grown and we have become more aware of how Jesus wants to express Himself through us, our focus has become more like a laser beam. In 2001, the ministry house where we have the Kairos Two-Day became a reality. Because of the growth of the ministry here, we now only take a few couples' conferences teaching the identity truths wrapped up in Galatians 2:20 and the Kairos Two-Day.

We have never been so excited about the future and look forward to whatever God does in and through us.

Celebrating Life and Marriage in Christ,

Phil and Mary