JACK AND REBECCA SYTSEMA are both ordained Christian
ministers who have been involved in
international prayer
ministry since 1993. They have
also been involved with
many autism groups over
the past several years.
JACK serves as Director of Operations for Benjamin's Hope, a first-of-its-kind community model designed to address the multifaceted needs of individuals and families affected by autism and developmental disability. For some, this facility (currently under construction) will be home -- a safe place to live and participate. For others, Benjamin's Hope will provide grace-filled opportunities to learn, worship, socialize and have fun. For the community, this will become a partnership of people with and without disabilities who choose to come together to enjoy life in rural West Michigan. For more information, please see the video below made by founder Krista Mason featuring her son, Benjamin.
Jack received his Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, and Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary
.
REBECCA currently serves as Director of Children of Destiny,
and works as a freelance author and editor. She has
coauthored eight Christian books to date. A list of
her books can be found by clicking
here. She works from home where she is first and
foremost mom to three great boys: Nicholas (15, full-syndrome
ASD), Samuel (12, moderate ASD), and Trey (typically
developing 9-year-old).
We
first became interested in autism when our then 2-year-old
son, Nicholas, was showing signs of developmental delay
coupled with intestinal difficulties in mid 2000. In
January, 2001, he was diagnosed with autism. We believe
in the power of prayer and believe that God’s
hand is firmly on Nicholas’ life. We have implemented
several other interventions for Nicholas, including
the gluten- and casein-free diet, several biomedical
interventions, and an intensive program of Applied Behavior
Analysis.
A few years later we received a similar diagnosis for our middle son, Samuel. We have also implemented several interventions for him as well. While
each intervention has helped them come to new levels
of success, we firmly hold to the belief that the most
powerful intervention we have brought into our sons'
lives has been to give them over to God and allow Him
to order our steps. Although the
path has been a difficult one, we have seen steady progress
as God works new miracles day by day. God has yet to
disappoint us in any area with which we have fully trusted
Him!
