When Colleen Nunn was two years old, her father went missing in action during the Vietnam War. For 13 years, her family lived with the hope that he might return home. Although she grew up without memories of her dad, God faithfully placed people in her life who showed her His love and pointed her to Him.

In this episode, Colleen shares how her mother’s faith, her grandmother’s godly example, and the work of the Holy Spirit helped her come to know God as her present Heavenly Father. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when an earthly dad is absent, God is near, faithful, and at work.

Key Takeaways

A godly grandmother’s love and example can leave a lasting spiritual legacy.

God faithfully provides for His children, even in ways we may not recognize until years later.

Children need the freedom to process grief in their own way and in their own time.

When an earthly dad is absent, our Heavenly Father is present, providing the comfort, guidance, and help we need.

Scripture Mentioned:

Psalm 27, Proverbs 9:10, Luke 11:9–13, Romans 8:16

How to Connect

Absent Dad Present FatherColleen’s story is one of 30 true stories featured in Absent Dad Present Father, offering biblical hope and pointing readers to God, the Father of the fatherless.

Order your copy at PerspectiveMinistries.org

Perspective MinistriesLearn more about resources and support for widows, single mothers, and fatherless children at PerspectiveMinistries.org

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What happens when a twelve-year-old girl loses her father just days before her thirteenth birthday?

In this heartfelt conversation, Lori welcomes Absent Dad, Present Father contributor Susan Richcreek to share how the loss of her father shaped her life and how God faithfully stepped into the role He promises in Psalm 68:5 as Father to the fatherless.

Susan shares what it was like to lose her father to cancer at age twelve and how that loss impacted her growing up. Together, Lori and Susan discuss God's promise to be a Father to the fatherless, the unique challenges children often face after losing a parent, and the practical ways God faithfully provides comfort, wisdom, and guidance through every season. They also encourage mothers and fatherless children to trust God's character and His faithful presence, even when life does not unfold as they hoped.

Key Takeaways

• God faithfully steps into the lives of the fatherless as the perfect Father

• A personal relationship with God brings strength through grief and every season of life

• Even when we do not understand God's plan, we can trust His character

• God's gentle presence often meets us in ordinary moments when we need Him most

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Resources

Absent Dad, Present Father

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Learn more about Perspective Ministries and resources for widows, single mothers, and fatherless families. Website: https://perspectiveministries.org

What happens when a father leaves? How does that absence shape a young man's heart, and how does God redeem the pain?

In this powerful conversation, Lori Apon welcomes author, speaker, and founder of You Can Mentor, Zach Garza, to share his story of growing up after his father left when he was in middle school. Zach speaks honestly about the anger, fear, and deep longing for attention, affirmation, and acceptance that marked his childhood.

More importantly, he shares how God patiently led him from an orphan mindset to the security of knowing Him as Father. Through godly mentors, forgiveness, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Zach discovered that his past did not have to define his future.

This conversation offers practical encouragement for single and widowed moms raising sons, fatherless young people, and anyone who wonders whether God can redeem generational pain.

In This Episode

Why father wounds often create a longing for attention, affirmation, and acceptance.

What Zach means by an "orphan spirit" and how God invites us into true sonship.

The power of mentors in the life of a fatherless child.

Why forgiveness brought freedom instead of bitterness.

How God can transform generational patterns into a legacy of hope.

Key Takeaways

Practical encouragement for moms raising sons without an earthly dad.

Moving from an Orphan Mindset to Sonship

Understanding how God can transform generational patterns into a legacy of hope.

Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness

Resources Mentioned

Absent Dad Present Father

The Impact of a Mentor Part One Episode 50 with Zach Garza

The Stages of Growing up without a Dad Part Two Episode 51 with Zach Garza

Tell Me About Your Father by Zach Garza

You Can Mentor National Network for Christian Mentoring

Connect with Perspective Ministries ⁠perspectiveministries.org

Whether your child's story includes death, divorce, abandonment, addiction, or another form of father absence, God has not forgotten them. He is still writing their story. He is patient, faithful, and able to become the Father they need. As Zach reminds us, what the enemy intended for evil, God can use for good.

What happens when your father is alive but absent?

In this heartfelt conversation, Lori Apon welcomes Kayla Norman, one of the contributors to Absent Dad, Present Father, to share her powerful story of growing up with an inconsistent father because of addiction. Together, they discuss the disappointment of broken promises, the lifelong gift of a mother who refused to speak negatively about her children's father, how children often carry burdens no one sees, and the journey of learning to trust God as the perfect Father. Kayla's testimony is a beautiful reminder that although an earthly father may be absent, God is always present, faithfully redeeming every part of our story.

Key Takeaways

Whether you are raising fatherless children, healing from your own father wounds, or longing to better understand God's heart as Father, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and lasting hope.

• God can redeem the pain of an absent dad and reveal Himself as the perfect Father

• A mother's integrity and grace can have a lifelong impact on her children's healing

• Your past does not determine your future when your identity is found in Christ

Resources

Absent Dad, Present Father

Connect with Perspective Ministries

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that when an earthly father is absent, God is always present. Hope grows when it is shared.

In this conversation, Lori is joined by her son, Evan Apon, to discuss anger among boys growing up without a father. What can feel like sudden outbursts or emotional shutdown is often something deeper—unexpressed grief, frustration, or questions of identity.

Together, they offer perspective from both a mother and son, helping you better understand what may be happening beneath the surface. You will also hear practical encouragement on how to respond with wisdom, create a safe place for conversation, and guide your son toward handling strong emotions in a healthy and God-honoring way.

Key Takeaways:

-Anger often reveals what is beneath the surface

-Boys process emotions differently than girls

-Create a safe place for honest conversation

-Lead with calm and invite healthy outlets

Other Resources:

• Understanding Emotional Changes in Fatherless Young Men with Guest Evan Apon Podcast Episode 134

• Anger in Grief Podcast Episode 204

Connect with Perspective Ministries: perspectiveministries.org

Every child will eventually encounter influences competing for their heart and mind. Friends, teachers, coaches, social media, music, podcasts, and culture all have influence, but only one voice will always lead them in truth. In this episode, discover practical ways to help your children develop discernment, recognize the voice of God, and build a foundation that will guide them long after they leave your home.

Key Takeaways

Teach your children to recognize God's voice through His Word

Choose your children's influences with intentionality

Surround your children with godly friendships and mentors

Raise children who follow God's voice, not just yours

Connect With Us

Perspective Ministries exists to encourage widows, single mothers, and fatherless children through biblical guidance, practical resources, and tangible touches of care.

Learn more at:

• perspectiveministries.org

• Follow Perspective Ministries on social media for encouragement and resources.

• Subscribe to the Raising Fatherless Kids podcast so you never miss an episode.

If today's episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who is raising children in today's culture. Your support helps more widows, single mothers, and fatherless families find biblical hope and encouragement.

Scriptures Mentioned: Genesis 3, Ecclesiastes 1:9, 1 Kings 12, John 14:6, John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13:20

Amy Vliet grew up in Japan as one of 15 children adopted by missionary Betty Vliet, founder of Ebenezer Children’s Home. Although Amy never knew her biological father, her mother taught her from an early age that she had been handpicked by God and could know Him as her Heavenly Father.

Amy shares how that foundation carried her through the questions of growing up without a dad and, years later, through the loss of her husband, Russ, to cancer. Her story is a testimony of God’s faithfulness through generations and the truth that He is Father to the fatherless.

Key Takeaways

-One step of obedience can impact generations.

-The importance of helping adopted and fatherless children understand their stories through a biblical perspective.

-A mother’s example of faith makes a lasting impact through Scripture, prayer, and family routines.

-God is faithful to be Father to the fatherless.

Scripture Referenced:

Psalm 61:2, Psalm 68:5

How to Connect

Absent Dad Present Father

Discover Amy’s story along with 29 other testimonies of God’s faithfulness in Absent Dad Present Father

Perspective Ministries

Learn more about resources and encouragement for widows, single mothers, and fatherless children through Perspective Ministries.

Raising Fatherless Kids Podcast

Subscribe to Raising Fatherless Kids and share this episode with a mom or family who needs the encouragement that God is faithful to be Father to the fatherless.

Many boys and young men carry an unspoken question in their hearts: Do I have what it takes?

As mothers, we often express love well, but we may not realize how deeply our sons need to know that we believe in them. In this episode, we explore the powerful role a mother's words play in shaping her son's identity, confidence, resilience, and understanding of his God-given purpose.

Whether your son is thriving or struggling, your belief in him can become an anchor that helps him navigate failure, overcome insecurity, and grow into the man God created him to be. Today’s episode offers practical ways to separate identity from behavior, speak truth over your son, and point him toward his ultimate identity in Christ.

If you have ever wondered how to encourage your son without ignoring his weaknesses, this conversation will equip you with biblical wisdom and practical encouragement.

Key Takeaways

A mother's belief helps shape her son's confidence and sense of purpose.

Speak truth about who your son is becoming, not just who he is today. Your son's worth is ultimately found in Christ, not in performance.

Small words of encouragement can have a lifelong impact.

Even when a father is absent, a mother's belief can help stabilize a son's sense of worth.

Scriptures Mentioned:

Proverbs 6:20–22, Ezekiel 18, Gideon (Judges 6:12), Peter (Matthew 16:18)

Resources Mentioned

Previous episode on freedom from the sins of the fathers and understanding Ezekiel 18.

Connect with Perspective Ministries

If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another single mother who is raising a son. Your encouragement may be exactly what she needs today.

For more resources and encouragement for widows, single mothers, and fatherless children, visit Perspective Ministries.