You are so young, innocent and precious. You took on so much that was not yours to carry. You must have felt alone and scared not knowing why or understanding. I am so sorry that you were hurt so many times and by so many. It’s ok now, you are safe. We are safe! You are no longer alone, we are never alone. We are loved, I promise you no one will ever hurt you again. It is ok to let it go. When you are ready, we can set it down and let go of it together. You grew up and have become a very strong and beautiful woman with a huge heart! I Love you, Little Angel!

– Aleasha

"Each week, God’s healing power is completely transforming the lives of women through the ministry of Women of Courage. When women gather to hear testimonies of how God has touched wounded and very secret areas in the hearts of others, faith begins to grow. It becomes clear in a very personal way that God understands, God cares, and God has the power to completely restore our lives. In the warmth of God’s love, with the guidance of God’s holy Word, in the security of a trusted circle, and in the embrace of sisters who sincerely care—scores of women will continue to find freedom as women of courage."

— Charles Crouse, pastor

"Women of Courage has been one of the greatest ministries of healing and restoration we have witnessed in our church and community. Women of all ages, abused as children and yet still suffering, have found hope, healing, and friendship through this ministry. With the enormous numbers of women who have been abused sexually and have hidden it away, bringing untold pain and bondage in their lives, Women of Courage is a vital and effective ministry. Truly an Isaiah 61 ministry—bringing release from bondage and healing broken hearts, restoring the crown of beauty in their lives!"

—Rev D. Kenworthy, senior pastor

"In the past few years, I have seen Women of Courage facilitate healing in the lives of women in our church and in our community, unlike anything I have seen before. This ministry has provided a safe place where many could share their stories for the very first time. I am thankful for the ministry that God has placed on Charlene’s heart to develop. God has used Women of Courage to do mighty things in freeing women from their past and finding victory and freedom in him!"

— Rev. Allen White, associate pastor

I took Women of Courage about one and a half years after coming back to the God of my heart. As I began, I wondered why I was there. My sexual abuse was when I was 4 or 5 years old. Yes, there were side effects of it as I began to wet the bed. When I was 9 or 10 I had to have a cystoscope to correct the damage...I had forgotten about that. I had gained a lot of weight in the 3rd grade I was 136 pounds. I understand now that I need to pray for forgiveness. However, my newest abuse was from a covert narcissist. He never hit me there was a lot of verbal abuse and sexual abuse when I did something he didn't like! It was Charlene who helped me realize that it was abuse and I needed to forgive. I thank God so much for the ladies I cried with and for, the raw truths, the prayers and encouragement and congratulations for small victories Thank you ladies so much! Charlene, you are responsible for teaching me how to let go of hurt, unforgiveness and all the side effects of my current abuse. I love you isn't enough....I will show you the love I have for you by showing God's love just like you taught me!

– Lesa

I was led to class with a friend who I felt we had some common issues. I didn't know what to expect, but after my first class there was a flood gate of tears that wouldn't stop! Charlene told me I was at the right place. That set me on a road to recovery even though I wasn’t really aware I needed it! Let the healing begin! Week after week, sharing and opening up, and with a feeling that I belonged to something that was going to make me whole and healthy! So my childhood abuse/molestation was the reason I chose men that lead to dark places of sex, drugs and parties. But in the darkest time, I met a very wealthy man that groomed me to be his other fake wife, and sadly I was broken enough to do it! Women of Courage helped me cleanse, and healed me from all of my past mistakes! I know I am now worthy and loved by Jesus, who brought me to His glorious light!! Finally, I am not defined by my past, but I am the Strong Warrior Princess I was meant to be all along!! Psalm 144….I am truly grateful for Charlene, Women of Courage, and the ladies that were beside me!!!

– Mia

I was nervous going into the lesson on healing the Mother/Father wound in our Forgivness lessons. Everyone in the group had heard about some of the abuse from my dad. I knew that was the expected parent for me to focus on during the group exercise. However, I knew that God and I had been working on healing that wound for several years and had been making progress. Finally as we broke off into pairs, I became obedient to God’s nudging and focused on the wound that still needed God’s healing touch, my relationship with my mom. I was so cynical going into our pairs. I just “knew” my partner was going to give me platitudes to try and help heal the deep, deep wounds that were festering in my heart. As we began the exercise and I started to reveal my heart and all that I longed to say to my mom, I felt my heart begin to open. Then it was my partner’s turn to talk for my mom, My partner heeded the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. She said things about my mom that I hadn’t ever re-vealed so I knew the Holy Spirit gave her those words to say! I fell apart and cried like I hadn’t cried before over this area of my life. God truly reached inside of me and ripped off the scab and began the healing process. That same night was my weekly call to my mom. Most weeks, I find a reason to not call her. However, that day after class, I found myself looking forward to calling her! Instead of calling her with a list of reasons why I couldn’t stay on the phone, I cleared time out so I could focus on her. We talked for almost an hour that night! It was wonderful! I have spontaneously called her since then as well. I find that I no longer analize everything she says, looking for the ulterior motive. I am less critical of her overall. Is our relationship perfect? No. Are the deep wounds completely healed? No. Is this a work in progress? Absolutely! Have I finally gained ground in this healing journey? YES! Through Women of Courage, God has opened a doorway of healing for both me and my mom. I have struggled with these wounds for quite some time, so it is freeing to not be carrying around all that bondage anymore! As God continues to remove the bondage, the more free I become!!

– Marilyn

"After a lifetime of sexual abuse, self harm and alcoholism, I found myself drowning in the deep end. I had just fled domestic violence that was mostly marital rape while I was unconscious. The Lord provided for my son and I as we slept on a couch for three months. It was my first time on my own and as a single mother. Miracle after miracle God gave me a place to live and sustained me. During these months I was unknowingly struggling with a dangerous sex addiction that I had likely always had. One day at church my life coach led me to meet Charlene. She told me about Women of Courage. I thought, “No Way! There is a book on healing from this?” God already knew he was placing that group in my church before I did and his timing was perfect! I met a small group of women with different yet similar stories to mine. They have become my support and the Army God sent to help me on my healing journey. These women sat with me in my mess week after week! I showed up every week and sometimes I was the only group member that week, but that was when the Holy Spirit met me there the most! With each chapter I learned God’s Word and would heal a bit more. I learned and broke soul ties and I shed the guilt and shame. I learned forgiveness for myself, God and others. One night, on Revival Night at church, I was divinely delivered from my addictions. I literally felt the oppression and bondage break off of my body! Now I am in recovery and aspire to help other women heal from domestic violence, abuse and addiction. I want to show others that healing is possible through Jesus!"

– Emily

My walk with Jesus began in the Spring of 1984 and my healing began in the Fall of 1984. You would think that by this time I would have walked thru everything, that I would be finished with this process. I met Charlene two years ago at a table where I was talking about a group that I would be leading. She gave me two brochures on her group, Women of Courage and here we are! I went into group not trusting any of the ladies that were there. That is how I began my time in Women of Courage! Because of the length of time I had been working on my healing with Jesus, you might think this was a waste of my time or of the leaders time. It was not a waste of any ones time because Jesus does not waste our time! He does not ask us to do something that is not for our good, even when we can’t see it yet!! I knew that I needed to be in this group, I just did not know what it would look like! I knew that I had found myself praying for the weather to be good enough to allow me to get out of my house every Monday night to go to group. I prayed that my sister or I would not be sick on Mondays. This group I was not sure I wanted to be apart of or even knew why I was there! I pushed to be there as many Mondays as I could and Jesus did more healing and polishing of those areas that I had been working on for years. I was finally set free! I no longer take the blame or responsibility for the abuse that happened in my life by the people that should have protected me! I do take responsibility for my actions since then, for walk-ing around in anger that ran so deep there are no words for it. But now I am free of it! I love balloons floating in the air and masks made from paper! I have never felt as free as I did the night we released the balloons. When you feel bound up or wrapped up, there are no words to describe the freedom you feel as you re-lease that balloon. ( I had asked them to write carefully with a marker all their pain, hurt, forgivingness and dreams on their balloon before releasing it!). Thank you, Women of Courage for polishing, taking out the dents, unwrapping the butterfly, opening up the rose and so much more! I so thank you for the six months of in-depth work that we did together with Jesus directing it!

– Debbie

I came to this group in a funny way! I am a sister and caregiver for another member of Women of Courage. When groups were about to start, I had not looked before my sister did. She signed up for this group before we chatted! The thing is my sister is in a wheelchair and needs help going places. She could not go without my help. The great thing is God knew I needed to be there too! I figured God had me there so I was going to learn and grow. There were so many great lessons and I didn’t expect the emotions that came even from the 1st class. I think what hit me the most was the forgiveness lessons. I had already forgiven my step-dad. He and I got to meet and chat long before he passed away. What I didn't realize is that I was angry and hurt at others. There was no help, no counseling, it was just swept under the rug! This group has given me a place to talk, it has also given me a place to see that we are not alone! I can’t say enough how amazing this group is for any kind of abuse. We cannot do life alone! Don’t stop going and growing with Jesus by your side!

– Wendy