Meet Briana
From going up in a Christian home to having my worldview shattered by the hard realities of life, I’ve learned a lot of lessons about myself and God.
At the heart of everything, I want to bring others out of the pain-driven cycles derived from childhood and into the light and freedom God offers them.
My Story
Childhood Years
I grew up on farms in Nebraska and Kansas. My dad taught us the value of integrity and hard work. Mom worked at the Christian school we attended. She patiently taught me how to cook (she truly thought I would never learn!) and the importance of devotional time. My grandparents were missionaries with Child Evangelism Fellowship; much of my early summers were spent in VBS, 5-day clubs and Christian camps. I became a Christian at a young age and the missionaries’ stories I heard from my grandma ignited a passion in me for missions! Little did I realize at that young age that I was predominately driven by fear of God’s discipline and rejection.
Teenage Years
By this time, I had “perfected” outward righteousness while raging and rebelling on the inside. I went to a Christian school, was top of my class, active in my youth group, and an excellent “performer” of Christianity. I even won awards for Christian service! It was in these years my addictive sins began and, though the shame was immense, I could never get free. Looking back now, I see the battle: wanting to be free from such shameful and guilt-ridden sins but also needing those sins to help cover my emotional pain – pain of feeling lonely, rejected, unchosen, not pursued or sought out.
College Years
I met friends of less conservative Christian walks who challenged my theology and view of God. I was jealous of the freedom from guilt and rules in which my friends seemed to walk. It seemed everyone was happier than I. After pursing a biblical and mission education, I was excited to begin a life of service to God in Africa.
Missionary Years
Almost as soon as I got to the field, I became victim to an extremely godless culture. My worldview was shattered. I had obeyed God. I had left all my friends and family and followed Him to another land to tell people about Him! He is supposed to protect me!!! The devastation of that pain – less about what happened to me than that God allowed it to happen – shattered my spiritual and emotional life. I felt condemned, unloved and shut out from God. Being a strong farm girl and having lived a life time of ignoring and covering pain, I thought I could do the same overseas. Within 3 years my PTSD was so intense I had to return to the States for a year of counseling. Even there, God wasn’t getting to my heart. The Christian counselors got my brain to a point it was functional and off I went again, eager to prove my value and earn God’s approval. This time it took less than 2 years before I was back home, crazy depressed, fearful and broken. I needed a miracle. Praise God I found it in Caring for The Heart (CFTH) counseling in 2019!
Current Years
While on a Leave of Absence from SIM (mission organization), I started counseling with CFTH which truly revolutionized my view of God, Christianity, prayer and pain. Through the counseling, God has set me free from fear, depression, shame, addictive sins, satanic oppression and much more! A year later, I began training under the CFTH model. In August 2021 I officially completed my training. I love to watch Jesus redeem pain and set people free. Life, light, joy and relationship are truly at the heart of our Father’s desire for us. Jesus can bring COMPLETE freedom; He and I both really want you to experience that!
As it is a lay-counseling ministry, I am not a licensed psychologist. My office is a 501c3 ministry that is completely donation funded.
