The Beginning of HOPE

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In the fall of 2000, we, Don and Dy Anne Long, began to see the enemy inching his way into our son’s life.  Our son, Dustin, was a licensed Student Pastor at this time.  Although we were praying parents, we did not fully comprehend Satan’s strategy against our family targeting our son, our only child.  

 

In the summer of 2001, we reeled as we watched our son deliberately walk away from God and choose a very lucrative job that would ultimately take him down a road of self-destruction.  However, his decision to walk away from God indicated to us there was deep inner pain.  We saw a deeper force operating than just his decision to walk away.  

 

Neither we nor our son could have ever known where the years ahead would take him and us.  For the next 22 years, we walked a painful road.  Eventually, the road became victorious and included our son’s return and his continuing restoration:  twelve years as a prodigal and ten years in restoration.  

 

Dustin went into deep sin and rebellion against us, the church, his family, and anyone who had anything to do with God.  We feared for his soul, but we held on to God’s promises.  The long nights and dark days took a toll on us physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.  God has truly been faithful, and our son has more than made up for everything.  

 

From this journey, we have purposed to not waste our pain.  Our intention and passion has always been to one day use our story for God’s Glory.  Our desire is to bring hope to hurting parents and families with prodigals who feel no one understands their pain.  

 

Stemming from our broken, compassionate hearts, along with the encouragement and blessings of our Pastor, Rev. Anthony Mangun, we began HOPE Prodigal Ministry in July of 2014.  The response has been greater than we could have ever expected.  

 

In the spring of 2015, HOPE Prodigal Ministry partnered with World Network of Prayer (WNOP) to become a global ministry.  It is estimated that over 300 churches, along with prayer groups and individuals, have united with HOPE Prayer in 41 states and 32 countries.  

 

When our son returned, our deepest passion was his restoration and complete healing.  We were determined he would feel the love that God had placed in our hearts for his soul every day until he “got it!”  This required more sacrifice on our part than we had anticipated, but God gave great grace in this process.  We all grew together in God!  We feel this mission, without a doubt, has been our most rewarding assignment from God.  We are truly privileged to be trusted with the healing of our family.  

 

The journey of restoration was completely orchestrated and ordered by God through prayer, fasting, and His Word.  No one else could have created a better plan.  God led the way day by day as we sought His wisdom.  Our story is for His Glory.  

 

Our son now assists us with HOPE Prodigal Ministry, bringing great joy to our hearts.  He along with Tim Heard (another returned prodigal) have now founded HIGH Hope Ministries, a very effective ministry for prodigals.

 

We are blessed to say that Dustin is an intercessor with his father and a group of men on Tuesday and Thursday nights.  They also meet for prayer on Sunday mornings at 8:00 before service. 

 

Today, because of how God has changed our lives, our perspective, and our outlook toward the journey with prodigals, we now say, “It is a privilege to be the parents of a prodigal.”  What the enemy meant for evil, God has turned for good.   Our situation is not completely healed.  We have precious grandchildren who need healing.  We know that the same God who has been faithful and imparted unto us His wisdom, will be faithful as we trust Him on continuing our journey and mission.

 

If you have a beloved prodigal, don’t give up.  God will never give up.  He and our prodigals need you praying and believing until.  We are here for you.