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About First Stone Ministries

Our Calling

The Mission

Offering hope to individuals struggling with sexual and relational sin, and those who love them, through effective, compassionate, and biblically steadfast ministry.

To Minister

We empower and equip people to escape isolation and flourish in their personal lives and families by offering biblical guidance and tools for healthy relationships. We specialize in ministering to those with unwanted same-sex attraction, sexual behaviors, and identities.

To Educate

To educate churches and Christians how they may respond biblically, compassionately, and knowledgeably to those impacted by homosexuality, relational and sexual sins, and abuse.

Our History

Our origins go back to 1976. Originally founded as Fishers of Men Evangelistic Corporation by Frank and Peg Rogers. The intent was to be evangelism until the family learned of their son’s homosexuality. Having discovered that there was no local help for the hurting parents, they began putting their ministry focus on ministry to parents and the healing of homosexuality. In 1981, the ministry's name was changed to First Stone Ministries and incorporated as The First Stone Ministries, Inc.

First Stone is a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization, independent and non-denominational. First Stone Ministries was one of the founding ministries of Exodus International in 1976. We were a founding member of the Restored Hope Network of which we are a member ministry.

Since its founding in 1976, First Stone Ministries has been an independent nondenominational, Christ-centered, para-church organization. We were a part-time ministry until 1991. Since then, we have been a full-time ministry that is governed by a Board of Directors to ensure financial and ethical accountability.

Throughout our history, First Stone has been under a few different directors. The Rogers turned the ministry over to a man that truly compromised the work. Then, in the early 90s, the Board of Directors, removed that man and selected Jeff and Lezlie Janes to do the work. They offered a great combination of talents. Jeff was an ordained minister and Lezlie was a licensed social worker. Together they brought in staff, training, appropriate ethical strategies, and intake procedures. They brought First Stone into being a full-time ministry.

Then, in 2000, Jeff and Lezlie determined to move to Israel, and they selected Jeff’s assistant director, Stephen Black, to assume the ministry mantel. Stephen added to the flourishing of the ministry by bringing his strength and vision to move the work forward. Stephen served as Executive Director until the Summer of 2023. He departed and started his own ministry work of travel, public speaking, and ministry.

In September 2024, the First Stone board appointed Laura Leigh Stanlake to be the new ministry director. She has served the ministry since the Summer of 1993. In September 1997, she came full-time as women’s minister doing biblical counseling. Her primary focus has been coordinating the Living Waters and Living Free Groups since 1999. In addition to her new role with the ministry, she is co-writing curriculum to be used with our primary support group.

First Stone Ministries is a member of the Restored Hope Network.

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