Episode 136: Brothers Ian Calk (28, RM, in faith journey), Gareth Calk (25, RM, stepping away).

Summary: My friends Ian and Gareth Calk (brothers) share the journey as Latter-day Saints navigating their faith. Ian has gone through a faith crisis and is currently active LDS. Gareth has stepped away. While neither brother is inviting others to follow their path, I believe it is helpful to hear their story so we can better understand why some of our members step away giving us better insights to minister to them. I believe the Good Shepherd knows His sheep well enough to know why one left and where to find them. Yes, I think this increases the chances someone will return if the person ministering to them understand the full story behind their journey. Ian explains what a faith crisis is like in this article: https://iancalk.blogspot.com/2019/06/understanding-crisis-of-faith-for-those.html Ian co-founded (with his friends Jenn Mack and Andrew Sturgess) RISE, an LDS LGBTQ support group in Atlanta. https://www.facebook.com/Rise-Atlanta-LGBT-Mormons-and-Allies-162728337716159/ Ian has spent countless hours getting to know our LGBTQ friends through private interviews which has been transforming to him. RISE meets every other month in a different LDS member home in the Atlanta area usually hearing from one of our LDS LGBTQ members. Thank you Ian and Gareth for sharing your journey. Honored to have you on the podcast. You two are great friends.