Walking with Love and Truth: Supporting Parents When a Child Enters a Same-Sex Engagement

At our ministry, we often walk with Christian parents who find themselves in places of deep emotional and spiritual tension. One particularly painful situation is when a child—raised in a loving, faith-filled home—shares that they are engaged to someone of the same sex.

For parents, this moment can bring a flood of emotions: grief, confusion, fear, even guilt. But it can also be a spiritual opportunity—an invitation to reflect Christ’s love more deeply than ever before, without denying the convictions that have shaped your family and faith.
If you’re a parent navigating this situation, we want to come alongside you. This isn’t a formula or a one-size-fits-all approach, but a way of responding that seeks to balance grace and truth, as Jesus did (John 1:14).

1. Affirm your love without affirming the engagement
One of the most important things your child needs to hear is something they’ve hopefully always known: “I love you” That love is not conditional on agreement. It doesn’t hinge on lifestyle choices. It is the love of a parent—steady, unwavering, rooted in God’s love for them.

Ephesians 4:15 calls us to “speak the truth in love.” That means your child can know exactly where you stand on biblical marriage—without ever having to wonder if they still have your heart.

Affirming your love does not require you to affirm the engagement. It’s possible to say:
“I love you more than words can say. I can’t support this engagement because of what I believe marriage is, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I will always be here.”
That kind of love—honest and unshakable—can leave the door open for future conversations, even if the present one is difficult.

2. Respect their partner without compromising your beliefs
Your child’s partner may become part of your life, at least for a season. And while you may not be able to affirm their relationship, you can show kindness, respect, and hospitality.
Romans 12:10 encourages us to “outdo one another in showing honour.” This doesn’t mean celebrating what we believe is outside God’s design—it means honouring people as made in His image, worthy of dignity and care.

Welcoming a partner into your home or life doesn’t have to signal agreement. Done with the right boundaries in place, it can instead communicate:
“We value you as a person. We may see things differently, but you are not an enemy. You are someone we are willing to know and care about.”
This is how we keep conversations open—by refusing to let disagreement turn into distance or disrespect.

3. Remain faithful to Christ without pressuring your child
As a parent, it’s natural to want to persuade—to fix what feels broken. But often, what your child needs most is not another argument, but a safe place where they are heard and loved.

1 Peter 3:15 urges us to be “ready to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.” That readiness includes moments when you’re not speaking at all—just being present, praying, and trusting that the Holy Spirit is still at work.
Let your life speak as much as your words. Let your prayers speak when words can’t.
You don’t have to deny your convictions to stay in relationship with your child. But neither do you have to force those convictions in every conversation. Be faithful. Be prayerful. Be present.

4. Trust God with what you cannot control
This is where faith becomes real—not just theology, but trust. Trust that God sees your child. Trust that He is patient and kind and powerful to save. Trust that you are not alone in your grief or your hope.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” That promise is for your child, too. Even now.
As a ministry, we’re here to remind you that love and truth are not enemies. And your child’s story is not finished. God has not left your family. He is still writing redemption into every chapter.
 
We’re here to walk with you
If you’re in this place—hurting, unsure, trying to navigate love and conviction—we want you to know: you are not alone. Our ministry exists to support families just like yours. We offer prayer, mentoring and support, biblical resources, and—above all—a listening ear.
Your love for your child can be faithful and unconditional, just like God’s love for you. And while you may not affirm every choice they make, you can still be a source of light, truth, and grace in their life.

We’d be honoured to walk with you on this journey, contact us today.