You have a story.
Experience authentic community where people are heard, loved, and healed together.
Are you aware of its impact?
What if shame was not a reason to hide
but an invitation to greater freedom?
Welcome to The Journey.
Life is a path marked by hurt, hope, and redemption.
At Open Hearts Ministry, we train you to engage people along that journey in deeper and healthier ways.
Through a safe and confidential group process, our curriculum leads you through your own stories of pain, disappointment, and abuse, equipping you to share the care you receive with others. We teach you to share and listen honestly. We show you how to practice compassionate self-care. We seek to love like Jesus, with empathy and forgiveness.
What is The Journey?
For over 30 years, people have gathered at the shores of Lake Michigan to experience the Journey. In 2025, we will also be offering The Journey in New Braunfels, TX. This unique, all-inclusive setting offers worship, lodging, meals, teachings with Open Heart’s lead team of trainers, and intensive group counseling. An evening of celebration festivities concludes the event. This 5-day training (Sunday lunch -Thursday evening w/Friday checkout), is designed for anyone seeking soul-care and growth in leading effective small groups.
Join The Journey in Texas - March 30-April 4, 2025
“God took me to a level I didn't know was hidden in my story. My leaders and group were amazing in drawing it out with love and compassion, my heart did a 180. Journey has changed my life, I am forever grateful.”
- 2019 Journey Participant and Current Journey Leader
Tell Your Story
In a Journey Group, you will be invited to share your story in a safe and compassionate setting. What are the experiences, events, and traumas that have left an impact on your life? As you share, it is our hope that you will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for your story, as well as an increased awareness of grace and a deeper intimacy with the Author of your story.
Change Your Community
With a current network of Journey leaders headquartered around the world, Open Hearts Ministry exists to meet the needs of your community with our curriculum—facilitating trainings from New Braunfels, Texas to Istanbul, Turkey. In the United States, we host a twice-a-year Journey at Maranatha (Muskegon, MI) to help your church or organization embrace stories of harm with greater curiosity and compassion.
Find Healing
Life is a path marked by hurt, hope and struggles. At Open Hearts, we train you to engage people along that journey in deeper and healthier ways. We help you create authentic community where people are heard, loved and healed together.
Our Mission
At Open Hearts Ministry, our mission is to train people to cultivate communities of care where stories of pain and abuse can be spoken, heard and redeemed.
“I had a core belief based on my history and childhood that men could not be trusted.”
“For the first time in my life I experienced what it was like to receive words of affirmation and encouragement from men.”
— A Journey Group Participant