InFocus Ministries

I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in the midst of brokenness and emptiness, realizing what a mess I had made of my life. As I replayed the videotape of my story, I saw myself in the driver’s seat of life. I focused on my career in basketball coaching to climb the ladder toward success and fulfillment. I managed to pursue an adulterous affair with my current wife Monique, who was one of my players, which led to the destruction of my first marriage and the break up of a family.

In the fall of 1991 as God showed me that the only certainty in life is found in relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ.

Little did I know that the Lord was using the circumstances of my life (previous divorce, shaky relationship with Monique, career) to slowly rip away the layers of pride which shielded me from Him. Suddenly after so many years of basketball coaching success my teams in Friday Harbor struggled to win one game. Monique and I continued to have many ups and downs in our relationship. I was living hundreds of miles from my children and missing them terribly. There was so much uncertainty in my life.

I no longer had everything under control, and I had no direction. I was completely lost and felt a complete emptiness in my heart and soul. The things I had put my faith in were crumbling right before my eyes.

Monique was now attending Seattle Pacific University and in October of her first quarter she attended an old fashioned tent meeting on campus. A black preacher from Alabama preached the gospel message and Monique accepted Christ as her Savior the very first night. She called me to tell me of Jesus’ love and forgiveness and invited me to come down to here this same preacher the next night. I didn’t hesitate and made the trip to Seattle.

As I sat and listened to the preacher share of Jesus’ unconditional love for me and I felt Him begin to lift the burdens of my life off my shoulders. He offered me, through Jesus, forgiveness of my sins, freedom from my shameful past. I said YES to Jesus that night and began a relationship with my Savior, the Creator of heaven and earth.

My early walk with Jesus involved fellowship in Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church and eventually church membership, something I had never really experienced in my life. It felt good to be a part of God’s family and be involved in youth ministry, serving with my wife Monique (we were married in summer of 1992) as a middle school group leader.

This involvement and good feelings faded as our Bibles became dusty and our lives more busy. Our walk with the Lord was carnal and our marriage relationship began to suffer as two self centered people grew apart. Our first child Ellie was born and daughter Erin came to live with us in Friday Harbor. Our family was growing but our marriage relationship was headed toward isolation instead of oneness.

Monique dropped the bombshell on our relationship announcing that she was unhappy and felt it best that we separate for a short time. I was shocked and really didn’t know what to do. I watched her pack up her things, move out and begin to become more and angrier with me.

The Lord used these circumstances to lead me to a “crisis of belief’, a point where I confessed the sin of laziness to God and gave Him complete control of my life. There was nothing I could say or do that would bring Monique back to our home. In a moment of complete brokenness on our front deck, I heard the Lord say softly to me, “just keep on loving her.” This is just what I did in the days ahead. She would attack and I would share how much I loved her.

On a night when I thought divorce was inevitable, Monique called to check on Ellie and then out of her mouth came these words, words from our Lord, “if you think there is any hope for our marriage, you get over here right now and pray with me.” Needless to say, I hopped in the car and drove over to see her.

We prayed and prayed, held each other and cried for hours. The Lord began to heal our relationship and work His miracles in our hearts. Monique came home with me that night and the Lord Jesus has been on the throne of our lives ever since.

We had the opportunity to attend a FamilyLife marriage conference about three months after our crisis, and for the first time we heard of God’s blueprints for the marriage relationship. God used the projects and biblical teaching throughout the weekend to continue to apply His healing salve to our marriage. We experienced the depth of His love, mercy and forgiveness.

Monique and I attended our second “Weekend to Remember” conference and felt God calling us to the staff opportunities session. Here our Lord began charting the course that led us to pursue full time Christian ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ. Our ministry journey began with this great organization.

Currently we have branched out to develop marriage and family ministry in the northwest with InFocus Ministries. Our hearts still beat passionately for Christ and his healing power which was demonstrated in the reconciliation and restoration of our marriage and family. We believe that nothing is impossible for God!

Contact Us
Vic and Monique Woodward
P.O. Box 3092
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360.378.8435
360.298.1138 cell