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spring 2026

Three weekends. Three unique Journeys. One shared goal:

restoring hope for your family

Come to one, come to all

Each Spring retreat is designed to meet families in a specific season of need offering a clear path forward for parents facing intense challenges. Equipping parents to navigate the transition into young adulthood with confidence and healthy boundaries, and providing understanding, encouragement, and practical tools for adoptive families. Featuring Guest Speakers Dr. Jim Burns, Frances Forgioni and Chelsea Cameron as well as singer and songwriter Rory Feek – We’re creating space for connection, encouragement, and hope and would love for you to join.

Whether you attend one of the retreats or more, each weekend offers meaningful teaching, guided discussion, and a supportive environment where parents can gain perspective and return home with renewed hope and practical next steps.

What You'll leave with

Families in Crisis Conference

Led by Mark Gregston

Gain insight into your teen’s behavior, how to shift unhealthy patterns, and move from reacting in crisis to parenting with confidence and purpose.

Overcoming the Struggles with Your Adopted Teen

Featuring Chelsea Cameron and Rory Feek

Gain insight into trauma-informed parenting, attachment, and how to respond with empathy to your adopted teen.

Adulting Past The Teen years

Featuring Dr. Jim Burns & Frances Forgioni, LCSW, LAC

Learn to redefine boundaries, transfer life skills, affirm growth, and maintaining a healthy relationship as your child steps into adulthood.

Welcoming special guests

Dr. Jim Burns

Founder of HomeWord, Author, Speaker & Podcast Host

Frances forgioni

LCSW, LAC over 30 years of experience working with teens

chelsea cameron

Adoption Specialist + Advocate, speaker & adoptive parent

Rory Feek

Musical Guest – singer, songwriter & storyteller

The details

Where: The event will be held on the Heartlight Ministries Campus located at 7345 E. Highway 80, Longview, Texas 75605.

Cost: $500 a couple // $200 individual parent

Marriott Courtyard // 1125 East Hawkins Parkway, Longview, Tx 75605

Hilton Garden Inn // 905 East Hawkins Parkway, Longview, Tx 75605

Flying in? Local Airports Include Longview Airport (GGG) Shreveport, Louisiana (SHV) Tyler, Texas (TYL) or Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and drive the 160 miles to Heartlight.

Your hosts

Mark Gregston, the Founder of Heartlight Ministries, began his trek of helping families 50 years ago, and has touched the lives of thousands of families and teens as he has helped them through the most difficult times of their life. More of a story-teller than an author, Mark has penned 25 books, all dealing with parents who have lost hope with their families. The Parenting Today’s Teens radio program and podcast is heard on over 2,000 radio outlets, and listened to by hundreds of thousands. His insight, wisdom, and wit, combine together to help parents learn practical ways of engagement that change a family’s current destructive path.

Mark leads these events with his team of wise and experienced Heartlight Staff that are actively involved with the Heartlight program, where over 3,500 teens have lived and changed through the years. Blake Nelson, the Executive Director of Heartlight, along Melissa Fulling, one of Heartlight’s Licensed Professional Counselor, join forces with Mark and bring a life changing retreat.

Blake Nelson

Executive Director of Heartlight Residential Boarding School

Courtney Lafleur

LPC, co-host of Parenting Today’s Teens Podcast

Layne Smith

LPC, Director of Heartlight Residential Counseling

Melissa Fulling

LPC, Heartlight Residental Counseling