Participant Comments

Participant Comments from 2005

A Gift from the Lord

“I want to express my appreciation to you and the folks at Vision Forum for an absolutely excellent Father-Daughter retreat. My daughters and I attended last year’s retreat and while much of this year’s content was similar, the cohesiveness, urgency, and sincerity of the speakers was amazing. The Lord wrapped this retreat in an exquisite package tailored to every person in attendance. What a delight and blessing it was to open that package. God bless you, your family, and those assisting you in your vision for the family.”
-James S.

The Big Picture

“I really do not know where to begin. I thought last year’s conference in St. Louis was outstanding...but this conference surpassed even that. My daughter, Gabrielle, and I were immensely blessed, not only with the testimonies of all the speakers, but the quality of the time we spent together has enriched out lives and has drawn us even closer together than I ever thought possible.I am a blessed man to have a daughter whose heart is turned to her father. This retreat helped Gabrielle to see a bigger picture and have a greater understanding of what it means to be set apart and to stand alone...All I can say is “thank you” Vision Forum. All the efforts you do are changing lives and families. I will always remember this special time together with my daughter.”
-Jack D.

A Beautiful Setting

“I would like to take this opportunity and express my appreciation for the efforts of you and your staff in making the Father/Daughter retreat such a tremendous success! My daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the speakers and testimonies and, of course, the serene backdrop of Callaway Gardens made the event absolutely beautiful. We will always cherish our special time together and the wonderful blessings bestowed by our Lord.”
-Gary F.

Thank You for All the Little Things

“Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to spend such a special time with our Daddy. My three sisters and I were inspired and encouraged by the weekend, hearing the speakers, and meeting so many precious girls. When we were singing all together before the sessions, it just thrilled my heart. The sound of a room full of saints, singing with all their hearts, was so beautiful.Thank you for all the little things that made it so special, the picnic baskets, and the fresh flowers at the Tea...and the scones, those were really good scones!Also, I was touched by the humility of each of the speakers. The Lord used each of their talks in such a powerful way, but each one gave honor to the Lord. God bless you all, and thank you for being used of the Lord to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.”
-Katie M.

Moved and Inspired

“Around three months ago, I was deciding whether to attend, once again, Vision Forum’s Father/Daughter retreat. Nina and I had attended last year in St. Louis for the 2004 event and were truly moved and inspired. After looking at the website description of this year’s event, and realizing that only one tape set of the event had ever been produced (2003), I was thinking that maybe the same messages and activities were presented every year. However, in the back of my mind, I knew that this was an important event that focused in on the father/daughter relationship and that Nina and I needed continual encouragement in this area. So...I signed up to attend.We were not disappointed. Not only were there a couple of new inspiring speakers, but also Scott Brown’s daughter, and the Zes daughters gave different presentations this time which touched upon slightly different areas of the helpmeet daughter life and more pointed discussions took place about finding godly husbands. In addition, we were able to network with old friends. [We were] inspired to see how God is allowing us to make connections throughout the country for building up our courage to walk God’s way.And last, but not least, Nina and I grew ever closer, with Nina being more emboldened to support and further her father’s vision for our family due to the “in the flesh” testimonies and declarations of so many fellow helpmeets at the conference.”
-Kurt F.

A Wonderful Weekend

“Thank you and Vision Forum for a wonderful weekend. My daughter and I have always had a close relationship, but I believe this past weekend’s retreat galvanized our relationship in a way that might have taken years to accomplish otherwise!”
-Vic P.

“Thank You” from a Mom

“I am a wife/mother of 2 attendees of the retreat. My husband and daughter returned totally elated about the entire weekend. They had a terrific time and were very blessed. My husband took some video footage during the retreat, and, shortly after they returned last night, we sat around and watched. Callaway Gardens is beautiful and they had so much fun touring the grounds. The Father/Daughter games and contests were hilarious (my husband had my daughter sit in a chair at home and sang, ‘You are My Sunshine’). The speakers blessed my daughter and husband.Thank you! Vision Forum is a blessing to us!”
-Anne P.

We Learned So Much

“What a great conference! My daughter, Melissa, and I had a wonderful time. We enjoyed every aspect of the conference and learned so much.Melissa and I both understand much more clearly the role of a daughter in the family. This was especially helpful to me, as my wife and I have recently been discussing her (and her younger sister’s) future. The Lord has been at work in our home over the past 1 1/2 years, slowly but surely changing our hearts and lives as we have come to understand what it is He has for us. The information presented further clarified the biblical reasons for what we have been learning and implementing as a family during this period of time. It is very encouraging and reassuring to me as the father and leader to have this information. The Saturday morning ‘Messages from Daughters’ were especially helpful.It was great to see so many like-minded families from all over the country!Keep up this great work!!”
-Bill M.

A Time to Evaluate

“The retreat was a fantastic experience. It was an opportunity to critically evaluate my roles and responsibilities as a father as I really haven’t before. While I knew of Vision Forum Ministries from some of our home school purchases, I really hadn’t received their vision as a ministry. As much as the weekend was about sharing with my daughter some valuable time and attention, it was equally as valuable for me in evaluating myself and my leadership as a father in light of the values that Vision Forum and I share, but had not truly focused on.”
-Sean M.

A Grateful Daughter

“Thank you so much for all of your time and effort to put together this Father & Daughter Retreat. I am and was immensely blessed. I have learned how to be cheerful, serve my mother and father, support my father’s ministry, and to be thankful. I feel very thankful to God, Mamma, and Papa for letting me go on this wonderful trip. My heart over flows with gratitude. I cannot say all the things that fill my heart.God bless you.”
-Morgan P.

A Special Time

“We had heard great things from some friends who attended the St. Louis Father/Daughter Retreat last year, and we had also listened to the ‘Best of the Father/Daughter Retreats’ CD from Vision Forum (and also the fantastic message ‘What’s a Girl To Do?’). As a result, we went with anticipation, and our expectations were exceeded. It was a very special time for my daughters and for me. Thank you for all of the effort expended in organizing the retreat and then running it.”
-Ron W.

Dramatic Positive Impact

“Thank you for all of the work that you put into the Father/Daughter Retreat this past weekend. Everything was wonderful, down to the very last detail of the high tea, the picnic, and all of the sessions.I doubt that I could ever express how wonderfully and profoundly the retreat impacted me and my daughter. My daughter said that she would give me her heart and would serve as my helper! I promised to her that I would protect it and cherish it until such time as the right man for her is found. I committed that I will be with her, guiding her and helping her to clearly see the vision of what God intends for her to become as a lovely Christian lady.The speakers and their messages really challenged and encouraged both me and my daughter. It was wonderful to be surrounded by girls that want to reflect God’s beautiful view of what a young lady should be, rather than the world’s ugly view. It was very encouraging to me to talk to other Dad’s who have to deal with the same issues and who have the same values related to those issues (family-integrated churches, youth groups, etc.) The weekend had a dramatic positive impact on my relationship with my daughter, and also greatly encouraged me to work harder as a husband and father....I thank the Lord for Vision Forum and for the uncompromising stance you take for beautiful femininity rather than godless feminism. May God continue to pour blessings into your ministry.”
-Lawrence H.

Inspiring, Convicting, and Encouraging

“What a wonderful experience for my daughters and I. The setting and the hospitality were perfect. I was impressed by the ability of the staff at Callaway to serve such a large group in such special way. The messages were inspiring, convicting and encouraging and our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will apply the truth of His word to the hearts of each of the men and their daughters that attended. Thank you for all of your hard work in making the weekend possible.”
-Jim V.

A Vision for Femininity

“We greatly appreciate all of the effort put forth by Vision Forum.... My daughter and I had a wonderful weekend, and I especially appreciate the testimonies given by the other girls. I feel like this helped to give my daughter a vision of what a godly young lady “looks like.”Please allow me to say again that your ministry has so greatly blessed our family and this past weekend was the best time my daughter and I have experienced in our father/daughter relationship! Thanks again for all of your hard work.Many blessings!”
-Greg A.

A Motivated Father

“The girls and I really enjoyed the retreat. The setting was outstanding, the message was clear, and the testimonies were inspiring. I look forward to the next time you are at Callaway when my daughters will be older and better able to understand the message. Until then, I am motivated to be training these principles into them until they can be reinforced with another Father/Daughter Retreat....”
-Jeffrey S.

A Changed Man

“We were so blessed to hear the purpose of daughters and fathers. I am a changed man.”
-Doug C.

Participant Comments from 2004

Tremendous

“Thanks to you all for a wonderful retreat. It was tremendous. I knew it was all going to be worth it when that cool wind blew through the outdoor pavilion Friday night and my 11-year-old daughter got chilly and snuggled in tight next to me. As the evening went along, it got late and she laid her head on my shoulder. Throughout our time Friday evening and Saturday, we held hands, hugged, talked, laughed, and giggled — what a blessing! On top of it all, we received wonderful teaching on — and a renewed vision for — our respective callings as father and daughter. Thanks to all the staff for their hard work.”
-Jeff D.

A Whole Different Perspective

“I’m writing another e-mail in regard to the retreat. One gentleman expressed his heartfelt blessing of seeing daughters who were living out God’s Word! It gave him a whole different perspective on the reality of the Christian walk for the father to lead his daughter(s) along.”

Wonderful Beyond Expectation

“We were greatly blessed by attending the retreat. I believe that God appointed this time for Elizabeth and I. He abundantly answered five desires of my heart for my relationship with Elizabeth. The whole experience was wonderful beyond expectation. Thank you for all of your work in putting this together. I know it will have a long lasting effect in the lives of those of us who could attend.”
-Randy S.

I Have to Hear My Father’s Voice

“I am so grateful the Lord allowed my dad, sister, and I to attend the first-ever Father and Daughter Retreat! What a blessing it was for just the three of us to be together, play fun games, learn much from those who shared, sing to the Lord, and experience the special high tea (a first for our dad!). A lesson God taught me from one of the activities (when my dad had to lead me through the obstacle course and I was blindfolded), is that I have to stay near to my dad in order to hear his voice and follow his wishes. If I’m out away from him, or if there are any walls between us, I will not be able to discern his desires for me and will become easily distracted by other voices. One line that really stood out to me from Mr. Phillips was that ‘wise daughters will recognize that their future happiness is inextricably linked to their satisfaction in the present.’ The Lord convicted me that I must be content and joyful where He has me now. So thank you for all the planning, encouragement, and wisdom you shared with us. As you have given, may God give back graciously to you!”
In Christ, Jennifer L.

Thanks from the Mom Who Was Not There

“Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all the prayer, concern, and hard work that went into making this past weekend a blessing to families far and wide. My husband and daughter — Graham and Lauryn — were immensely blessed by the event and I am enjoying the “side effects. We thank God for you; may He abundantly bless your ministry.”
Sincerely, Bonise A.

Thank You

“Just wanted to thank you for the recent Father and Daughter banquet. Would especially like to give thanks to all the “grunters” who did all the behind-the-scenes work! May our great Lord continue to bless your ministry. God Bless.”
-Todd S.

A Daughter’s Heart Turns

“I want to thank you ever so much for the Father and Daughter Retreat that you put on. That conference changed the entire mind focus of my life. I knew all the things about being a homemaker, being a helpmeet, having children, and raising them for the glory of God. Nevertheless, there was still rebellion in my heart. There was no love at all for the calling God had set before me. This retreat changed all that. I am not sure any particular speaker had an impact, but I think all of the speeches put together made an impression on my heart, and not just my mind. Before, I could always reason why my character was not what it should be, or why I wasn’t like a certain person. Now I have faced the plain, simple truth that there is no excuse for not exhibiting the work of Christ in your life when you claim to be a Christian.

“Nikkae Huber’s words really hit home with me. I did not love my siblings, and even considered them a bothersome nuisance. Now I delight in them, and am learning to love them. However, I have spent over ten years sowing seeds of selfishness and hatefulness. I see them taking effect too, and it will be a long time before I can overcome those evil seeds I have planted, and instead plant seeds of kindness and love. The simplest act of kindness from me makes their day. Even saying ‘good morning’ and giving my sister a hug sets her singing.

“A daughter truly does affect the atmosphere of the home. I never realized how bitter and un-peaceful I had made my home. The thought that I was responsible for that hurt me deeply. I always thought that when I got married it would be different. It wouldn’t have. In fact, it would have been worse. Before, it was a chore to serve in the house; now, it is one of the most joyful things to me. Now I enjoy my work, and am diligent and getting it done perfectly. I don’t have to have my mother come along behind and tell me all the things I miss, although I might not always do things the right way from now on. I have sown bad seeds and it will take time to overcome them, but every time I hold my tongue in patience, or take a few extra seconds to wipe down the sink, I am gaining victory over my past sins. Truly everything I do now will be done unto the Lord.

“One last thing that I would like to share with you is that my father truly has my heart. I have entrusted it to him to keep until he should see fit to give it away. Yes, he may make mistakes and even hurt me, but I know that underneath it all, he loves me deeply. I am his first-born; he didn’t sleep for three days when I was born because he was so excited! My heart has not been his. I have given it to other people and to the things of the world. I wanted to be an actress, not his loving daughter. Now I see Hollywood for what it truly is: a place of broken hearts, a place where the girls did not give their hearts to their fathers, or perhaps they were hurt and allowed bitterness to rule their lives. I do not want to become like those people. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my father will guard and protect my heart more than anyone else in the world can. I know this because Christ’s love is in him, and I know he only has the best in store for me, for my own personal safety. And I love him for it. God has changed my life, and I can never express how utterly and completely free I feel, how much joy I have in my life. I am truly “homeward bound.”

The Beauty of a Daughter’s Love

“My father, sister, and I attended the Father and Daughter Retreat in San Antonio last weekend. First of all, I want to thank all the men and women who made the 2003 Father and Daughter Retreat possible. I enjoyed it immensely and especially was moved by the four young ladies that spoke on Saturday morning. It was helpful and touching to hear other young women so dedicated to serving God by supporting their fathers! I was so inspired that I wrote the poem below. I want to dedicate this poem to everyone who helped make the Father and Daughter Retreat such a wonderful learning experience. I also would like to dedicate it to my father Mark F., who I thank in advance for guiding me in finding ‘A Godly Wise Husband.’”

A Godly Wise Husband

Daughters, daughters hear my voice, give your hearts away,
But not to the handsome man in New York, or the foolish boy in L.A.
Not to the man who wants money, and not to the one who seeks fame,
Not the boy who won’t care for you, but just wants someone to blame.
Not to the man who drinks beer all the time, and just wants someone to beat,
Not to the man who thinks you are his slave, and demands you bow at his feet.
Not to the man who hides behind you, or thinks that you are his mother,
And not to the man who just wants to “play” or watch football and golf with his brother.
Not to the man who will send you to work, and your children to schools full of “boy/men,”
But first give your heart to God, then your father.

-Andrea F.

A Daughter Speaks Out

“A tool in the hand of Almighty God... this indeed describes last weekend’s Father and Daughter Retreat. For past months, I have been struggling with some issues of submission to my father’s vision. I find it hard to obey his commands and wishes, preferring my own way. But God, ever faithful to help us in our distress, pressed upon my father the need for the two of us to go to this retreat. So we went and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.Through the speakers I was encouraged not just to submit, but to delight in my father’s God-given vision. What a blessing to be the daughter of a man with purpose and goals for my life! What a blessing to be different from the world, for in so being there is a unique opportunity to share of Christ!The retreat was renewing. I have begun to view everything in my life as a gift, not a problem. I have asked God to let me see even the smallest duties as special and to be glad for any chance to serve. There is so much more to learn, however, God is ever working in me for His glory and honor. He will indeed use the seeds sown in a great and mighty way!Thank you to everyone who made the retreat possible and especially to Mr. Phillips and the young ladies and fathers who spoke. It was so encouraging to hear of others pursuing God’s vision for their lives and know I am not alone! Praise be to the Lord who is turning the hearts of the children to the fathers all over the nation!”
-Elizabeth S.

A Critical Juncture in My Daughter’s Life

“Thank you for putting together this weekend’s Father and Daughter Retreat. My daughters understand the importance of the home and the rich blessings that God affords through His ordained structure of family life. They are seeing acquaintances, however, who do not understand or who understand only with their minds and not their hearts, pushing for “freedom” and focusing more on their personal desires rather than accepting God’s plan. They are seeing others — even friends — who do not have parents willing to guide them aright in the area of relationships. This weekend came at a critical juncture in my daughters’ lives and served as a wonderful time of affirmation.”