Our Mission

FINDINGbalance exists to help women find Jesus in the middle of their struggles with eating disorders, disordered eating, and other food and body image challenges.

A hand turning the page of an open Bible on a white quilted bed, with a bowl of oatmeal topped with bananas, strawberries, and cinnamon nearby, and a wooden spoon.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create safe spaces for women to walk toward freedom in Christ-centered community, resulting in a Kingdom impact and cultural shift.

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Our Core Values

  • A hand writing in a notebook with a yellow marker, with an open Bible and a cup of coffee on a white quilted bedspread.

    Jesus at the Center

    Jesus longs for an intimate, conversational relationship with us. Together, we practice listening to Him asking “Jesus, what do You want me to know about this?” Then, we seek to follow what we sense Him saying.

  • Two women sitting outdoors, one holding a book, holding hands, and praying together.

    Connection & Community

    Unhealthy habits thrive in isolation. Healthy community heals shame. As we journey the hills and valleys together, our hearts connect. With proper care, guidance, and the support of healthy community, individuals can know freedom.

  • Brown leather sofa with a white decorative pillow featuring pom-pom fringe on a beige wall, next to a black floor lamp with a white lampshade.

    Safe Spaces of Grace

    Everyone is unique and worthy of being seen, known, and heard. God doesn’t tally our successes and failures to determine who receives His love or forgiveness. He gives all goodness freely. We strive to model this by creating safe spaces and extending grace.

  • A person with long curly hair, wearing a beige shirt, sitting on a dark sofa with a notebook in their lap, gesturing with her palms open in a receiving position.

    Authenticity & Truth in Love

    Your story matters. As we walk together to encounter, experience, and respond to Jesus, we pray lies will be uprooted and replaced with biblical truth as your unfolding story becomes filled with, and fueled by, the Holy Spirit.

  • A woman with blonde hair sitting on a wooden window seat by a large glass window, writing in a blue notebook, with a potted plant beside her.

    Gentle Curiosity

    Having gentle curiosity with others and ourselves sets us free from the pressure to come up with the right advice, a perfect response, or feeling the need to "resolve" a problem. This approach promotes increased tenderness, love, and care.

  • A person mixing paint colors on a palette with a small brush, surrounded by tubes of paint on a wooden table.

    Fun & Creativity

    Nothing’s more fun than serving God with people you love. We believe in working hard, playing often, and deep belly laughs. God is creative; we are created in His image, and creativity brings vibrance and freshness to our life, reminding us of our uniqueness in His Kingdom.

  • Cozy bedroom corner with a bed, white and yellow pillows, a wooden side table with a mug and books, woven basket with sticks, colorful patterned rug.

    Balance

    You can’t pour from an empty cup. God created us to worship Him in every area of life through praise, prayer, service, work, study, play, rest, nourishment, movement, and relationships. We seek godly balance in all areas.

  • Person reviewing a financial report or statement, holding a paper booklet and writing with a pink pen.

    Stewardship

    We receive God’s gifts gratefully, nurture God’s gifts responsibly, share God’s gifts justly and charitably, and return those gifts to God abundantly. We share our personal freedom stories to inspire hope and validate what God can do.

Our Team

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair in a braid, wearing a turquoise T-shirt and black lanyard, standing in front of a red brick wall wearing a turquoise T-shirt with the words "fully known. fully loved." printed on it.

    Chrissy Kirkman

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PODCAST HOST

    With experience as a software analyst, marketing director, worship leader, and Christian life coach, Chrissy brings 23 years of diverse ministry and professional skills to FINDINGbalance. A former participant in Fb’s Lasting Freedom program, Chrissy has firsthand experience of the struggle faced by those battling food issues, and the courage it takes to seek help. No longer a captive of "diet culture", Chrissy is passionate about sharing the truth she’s found, and helping others find HOPE and tools to break free from eating and body image issues. Chrissy lives in Kansas City, MO and is married with one son.

  • A smiling woman with curly blonde hair, glasses, and earrings, standing outdoors in front of a brick wall, wearing a turquoise T-shirt with the words "fully known. fully loved." printed on it.

    Liesl Dunlap

    BOOKKEEPER & BOARD TREASURER

    Liesl is the office manager for a private practice therapist in Tennessee and holds a Bachelor's of Science in Biblical Studies from Emmaus Bible College. A former participant in Fb's ChristFed and Lasting Freedom programs, and co-leader of a Lasting Freedom alumni group, Liesl understands the challenges people face with food and body issues. Her heart's desire is to share how being in the Word and having a relationship with Jesus allows us to walk in true freedom. Her freedom story and financial background make her a valuable asset to our team. Liesl lives in Tennessee and is married with three children.

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a turquoise T-shirt with the words "fully known. fully loved." printed on it, standing outdoors with a red brick wall in the background.

    Tammy Boyd

    PRAYER GROUP COORDINATOR

    Tammy holds a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from William and Mary and a Master's degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University. When a friend introduced her to FINDINGbalance, Tammy began to recognize the impact of her lifelong struggle with food. She participated in the Lasting Freedom program with a group and on her own as part of her healing journey. Tammy desires to share with others the hope she's found and encourage those on the road to recovery. Tammy is married with two boys and resides in Leesburg, Virginia. She enjoys blogging, writing, baking, and, most of all, making her kids laugh.

  • Woman wearing a gray cap and striped blazer sitting in front of a piano, smiling at the camera.

    Constance Rhodes, ACC

    FOUNDER & SPIRITUAL MENTOR

    Constance founded FINDINGbalance in 2002. She is the author of Life Inside the Thin Cage: A Personal Look into the Hidden World of the Chronic Dieter, and The Art of Being: Reflections on the Beauty and the Risk of Embracing Who We Are. A former marketing director for what is now Capitol Christian Music Group, Constance's experience in the entertainment business helped shape FINDINGbalance as a media-based resource for those seeking freedom from eating and body image issues. To learn more about Constance's new coaching and artist development practice, visit www.truevoice.co.

  • A woman with light brown hair and glasses smiling outdoors, wearing a navy blouse with pink floral patterns and a silver necklace.

    Dr. Alisa Shanks

    BOARD CHAIR

    Alisa is a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of Colorado since 2004. She is passionate about university mental health having worked at Biola University, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and now Colorado Christian University in Lakewood where she is the Director of the Larry Crabb Center for University Counseling. Dr. Shanks has focused her career around three passions: her faith, eating disorders, and university mental health services, and believes in full eating disorder recovery. Alisa has been married since 2000 and has two sons.

  • A woman with short brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a denim jacket and earrings, with trees and a brick building in the background.

    Diana Ugoretz

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Diana studied Human Resources Management at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and has worked in the areas of payroll and finance for more than eighteen years. She currently handles the finances for her church and a nonprofit in her community. A former participant in Fb’s Lasting Freedom program, Diana experienced healing through Christ-centered community. She desires to see others experience this same freedom by being secure in who God designed them to be. Diana lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Tom. They have three children and three grandchildren.

  • A woman with long blonde hair smiling outdoors, wearing a white and blue patterned sleeveless top.

    Sarah Joy Smith

    BOARD MEMBER

    God connected Sarah Joy & FINDINGbalance after she co-founded the Holy & Whole Conference. Her passion is mentoring teen and young adult women to know their identity in Christ through her ministry, JoyFully Fit + Free. Her certification as a Non-Diet Christian Advocate enables her to help women push back against the lies of the enemy and begin their journey to truth & freedom. Sarah Joy brings a diverse background of volunteer work in the areas of fundraising, administration, and event planning. She resides in Fort Worth, TX with her husband. They have three sons and one daughter-in-law.

  • A young woman with long brown hair is smiling and wearing a blue t-shirt that reads "hope strength recovery".

    Taylor Coote

    GRANT WRITER

    Taylor holds a Master's of Social Work from Spring Arbor University. She previously worked with United Way and other nonprofit organizations through grant writing, grant management, and strategic planning, with a focus on eating disorder fundraising. After being introduced to FINDINGbalance in 2014 through her own healing journey, Taylor desired to one day help and encourage others in their own journey to freedom. Now a stay-at-home mom, Taylor is devoting her free time to using her gifts and talents as a Fb volunteer. Taylor lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their two children.

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    Beth Ask

    PRAYER GROUP LEADER

    Beth is a Registered Dietitian, women's ministry volunteer, and founder of the "Eating Disorders Day of Prayer". Her struggle with food issues, both personally and professionally, led her to find peace, comfort, and hope through God's Word. Beth is passionate about supporting others in prayer as they walk through the difficult journey of an eating disorder. God called Beth to start the "Eating Disorders Day of Prayer" during NEDA week for believers to come together and pray over those who struggle, for their loved ones, and for those on the front lines leading them to freedom. She is a wife and mother residing in Pennsylvania.

  • A woman with glasses sitting on a beige and brown striped armchair, smiling at the camera, with a white pillow with the word 'love' written on it beside her.

    Rebecca Feere

    PRAYER GROUP LEADER

    Rebecca is a Certified Christian Life Coach who helps women find hope and healing in body image, disordered eating, and eating disorder recovery. She holds a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from Moody Theological Seminary and is a graduate of FINDINGbalance’s Lasting Freedom program. Having walked her own recovery journey, she brings deep compassion and understanding to the women she serves. Rebecca lives in Southern Ontario, Canada, with her husband of 27 year. They have two adult children. She enjoys reading, walking her dog Moe, studying God’s Word, and leading worship. Her greatest joy is guiding women toward a deeper experience of God’s grace and love.

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    Jill Palmer

    PRAYER GROUP LEADER

    Jill holds a Master’s in Psychology & Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA and has worked with children, teens, and families in inpatient and outpatient settings. She found FINDINGbalance through a recovery devotional referral, which led her to the Lasting Freedom course, prayer groups, and Old School Food Freedom podcast that supported her own healing journey. Jill is passionate about pointing others who struggle with eating and body image issues to their true identity in Christ and His healing love. Jill also enjoys being a wife to a husband who loves all things soccer, and a homeschooling, taxi cab driving mom to six beautiful children, including a set of quadruplets!

  • A woman with a bob haircut smiling outdoors with pink flowers and greenery in the background.

    Marissa Menth

    PRAYER GROUP LEADER

    Marissa is a lover of Jesus with a deep heart for encouraging her sisters in Christ and interceding for them and their families. She has worked as a professional chef for 20 years and has traveled internationally. These days, she enjoys pet sitting, hiking, and roller skating. Her testimony includes overcoming disordered eating, addiction, and unhealthy habits through the power of Jesus Christ and with the help of trusted professionals. She now finds joy in walking alongside others who are battling eating disorders and pointing them to the One who brings true freedom and healing. Marissa often shares her faith in Jesus with others and inspires them to draw closer to the Lord.

Doctrinal Statement

As an organization shaped by a biblical worldview, we feel called to serve all individuals equally with the love and truth of Christ, regardless of their personally held views on faith, gender, race, sexual orientation, or other factors.

We believe:

  • Every person deserves to receive quality, whole-person care by skilled, caring professionals.

  • Individuals are deserving of this care regardless of their personal faith, beliefs, worldview, sexual orientation, or lifestyle.

  • Eating disorders and body image issues are complex issues with a variety of unique factors at work in each individual.

  • A balanced treatment approach is one that gives appropriate, evidence-based attention to an individual’s whole person wellness, including biological, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and relational health.

  • Jesus’ Gospel is one of love and grace, not rigid rules and legalistic standards which lead to shame and hiding.

  • When relapse happens, grace is more powerful than shame in moving forward.

  • God grants each individual free will and allows us all to make choices that can be life-giving or life-robbing.

  • Brokenness is a factor of the human condition, and we are all fellow journeyers toward the life of freedom God desires for us.

  • With proper care, guidance, and with the support of healthy community, individuals can fully recover from bondage to eating issues.

As a Christian organization, we hold to the following doctrinal beliefs:

  1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God.

  2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; that He was born of a virgin, knew
    no sin, died on the cross as the atonement of our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf.

  4. We believe in the Holy Spirit who indwells, sanctifies, and empowers every believer in Jesus Christ.

  5. We believe that man was created in the image of God, fell into sin in Adam, and that human beings do not have the power to save themselves from sin, including addiction.

  6. We believe that salvation is a free gift of God, provided by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Timeline

The history of FINDINGbalance spans over twenty years and was shaped by more people than we can mention in one place, including board members, staff, volunteers, donors, colleagues, and most importantly the thousands of precious souls we’ve had the privilege of serving - and learning from - since 2002. While not an exhaustive retrospective, this timeline highlights some of the key moments in our history, and a few of the amazing people who have helped get us where we are today.

A timeline of a FINDINGbalance's history and achievements from 1991 to 2012, including milestones like founding a website, launching social media groups, hosting conferences, and launching campaigns, with notable events highlighted in green and blue.
Timeline infographic illustrating key milestones from 2013 to 2025+ for the organization FINDINGbalance, including program launches, anniversaries, leadership changes, and new initiatives.