FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Samantha Nelson, (866) 260-8958
Email: Help@TheHopeOfSurvivors.com
Web: http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com

April 3, 2008 – Thompsonville, IL:  Hope & Healing comes to Bloomington, MN!

The Hope of Survivors will host a Hope & Healing Conference at the Holiday Inn Select Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport located at 3 Appletree Square (I-494 & 34th Avenue South) in Bloomington, MN, on Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, 2008.

The purpose of the conference is to provide information and encouragement to those who have been abused by members of the clergy (of any denomination). The conference is primarily for adult female victims of clergy/pastoral sexual abuse and their spouses, however, anyone who desires to learn more about clergy sexual abuse and prevention is welcome to attend. Advance registration is required. Registration deadline is 5/22/08. Please register (after April 7) at: www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com/registration.asp. There will be a $40 non-refundable charge at the time of registration for meals (lunch & dinner) served on Saturday, June 28.

Speakers include: Steve & Samantha Nelson, Co-Founders of The Hope of Survivors; Tom Lemon, Chairman of the Board of The Hope of Survivors and President of the MN Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Jennifer Schwirzer, counselor and member of the board of directors of The Hope of Survivors; and a special music concert by Stephanie Dawn.

Topics include: What is clergy/pastoral sexual abuse? How does this happen? Is there an imbalance? Who is vulnerable? What are the vulnerabilities? Why is this not an affair? How do we prevent this? Where is God? How to start over? How should the church respond? There will be testimonies, inspiring messages and much more!

The Hope of Survivors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of pastoral sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as providing educational and informational materials and seminars to pastors and churches worldwide. To learn more, please visit our web site, http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com, or call (866) 260-8958.

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