About Us

Phone: (815)335-1405

E-mail: shelly@winnewlife.com

This ministry was created by Shelly Spickler, Director of Women and Children’s Ministries, at New Life Bible Church in Winnebago, IL.  After learning of her young teen daughter’s sexual abuse, Shelly and husband and family faced trials of heartbreaking turmoil and anguish.  They fought a full range of emotions as they struggled to gain justice and healing for their daughter, and for themselves.  

It was through this time of great stress that their family faced their greatest struggles, they questioned the sovereignty and the goodness of the God they devoted their lives to serving.  Shelly wondered, “How could a good God allow this to happen to my child?” and also, “How can I serve a God who would allow this?”  She cried out to God with anger, anguish, and at her breaking point screamed inside of herself, “I hate You, God!”  

Immediately, Shelly repented and broke to God’s healing power of forgiveness beginning with the unusual act of offering forgiveness to God.  “Father,” Shelly prayed, “I know You don’t need forgiveness, You are Holy.  And, I know You are in control, but You are not responsible for this act of evil.  I forgive You for allowing this to happen to my child.”  It began the healing process and a process of submission to God and to the governing authorities involved.  Although Shelly, her husband, and her daughter were not able to reach legal justice in this battle, they were awed to find healing, forgiveness, and great strength as they cried out to God.  They began to extend grace and forgiveness to the young man involved and are devoted to praying prayers of mercy and blessing for him.

Early in this very private crisis which their family faced publicly in their church and small town, women regularly approached Shelly and shared their own, or their daughter’s, stories of sexual abuse.  As comforting and supportive as those stories were, they were also very overwhelming and humbling for Shelly.  She didn’t feel like she could offer those women the healing power of Jesus Christ that she knew was available, because she hadn’t completely found healing and hope for herself or her own daughter.  As God healed Shelly and her daughter, Shelly began a journey of education, prayer, and hope for other women’s healing which inspired her to begin this ministry.  Her prayer is that these women  and others will share their “back stories” to minister to victims and their mothers.  May God heal the hearts of all victims of sexual abuse and empower them to live lives of love and forgiveness as testimonies of faith, obedience, and God’s love.

The ministry began as a place for women to share their stories of sexual abuse, but expanded to include any back stories that a woman may have.  Whether it be abuse, addiction, illness, grief, infertility, heartache, or even God’s amazing grace in her life, women are welcome to tell their stories here.  Please consider submitting your back story.

 

To contact us: