72

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Go to www.heavensrainmovie.com Click the �“Discuss�” buttonAnd choose a discussion topic:

�• Touched by the Story�• Share Your Story�• Victims�’ Rights�• Victim Recovery�• Prison Ministries

Or Join us on Facebook or Twitter

at �“Heaven�’s Rain�” and �“Brooks Douglass�”

We would love for you to join the Heaven�’s Rain Community and share your thoughts about the movie, discussion guide, and story. �– Julea & Brooks Douglass

Host a Heaven�’s Rain ScreeningGroups nationwide are uniting to spread the message of hope and healing by hosting a Heaven�’s Rain movie screening. The event can be free for attendees or a fundraiser for your organization or another worthwhile non-profit in the community.

�“It was a true honor to host Brooks Douglass and to show his amazing film. The movie is an incredibly compelling account of Brooks Douglass�’ personal triumph over tragedy, injustice and unfathomable loss. I couldn�’t help but be deeply moved, as were the 650+ advocates, prosecutors, police, victims, and survivors of homicide who were in atten-dance at the showing of the film. I encourage all those who support and work with victims to host a showing of this remarkable movie.�”�– Barbara LaWall, District Attorney, Tucson, AZ

The Heaven�’s Rain Event Kit Includes:

One Heaven�’s Rain DVD(running time: 97 minutes)

Public exhibition license for a single public screening event

Heaven�’s Rain Event Guide. This 15-page guide includes helpful

tips for hosting a screening and spark-ing a meaningful discussion.

Access to publicity materials

GO TO www.heavensrainmovie.com/events.php for more info.

© 2011 Heaven�’s Rain Productions. Do not duplicate or distribute without permission. I

Discussion and Reflection Guide:For Group Leaders and Independent Study

A Journey Toward Peace and Purpose

By Julea Douglass, Ph.D.

with Brooks Douglass & Richard B. Douglass

68

c. Goal 3:

1____2____3____4____5____6____7____8____9____10Not close at all Getting There Goal Achieved

4. What areas do you want to continue to grow in and improve?

5. What if anything, do you feel is holding you back from reaching your goals/hopes?

6. Have you noticed a difference in your relationships since the discussion group? If so, how have they changed? (If you already discussed this in a previous question, skip this question.)

7. What else do you want to share with the group since the last time we met?

V

For Richard B. DouglassYour love lives on

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you,that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

- Matthew 5: 44-45

64

Prison (the same man who plays the warden in the movie) called Brooks to tell him Glen died that evening

of liver disease. Brooks called his former assistant Margaret to tell her the news. She responded, �“Aren�’t you

glad you met with him when you did?�” These words deeply struck Brooks. If Brooks had not met with Glen

and if Glen not expressed genuine remorse both Brooks and Glen would have gone to their graves with deep,

unresolved regrets.]

12. [Individual answers. May include prayer, support, courage, determination and a plan.]

13. In Luke 17: 1-4, Jesus instructs us that no matter how many times someone does wrong, we must forgive

those who repent. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.

Action Step

This is one of the most important re ections in this guide. If you are familiar with guided imagery, walk

your group through this process aloud. Start by asking the group to close their eyes; then read the situation

and questions out loud slowly. Pause (at least 20 seconds) per question to allow participants enough time to

process the situation and to develop the visual in their imaginations. Ask participants to write down answers

to the questions after you have completed the guided imagery together.

Brooks would say that the process toward forgiveness may take many years. Don�’t be surprised if your par-

ticipants aren�’t ready yet to act on their Action Step.

In the next class, open by saying that the path to forgiveness may take years and is only effective if it is genu-

inely heartfelt. Then ask:

�• Has anyone re ected on your Action Step from last session about sitting across the table from someone

you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? If so, how did that affect you this week?

�• Did anyone make steps towards forgiving someone or seeking forgiveness? If so, what did that feel like

for you? How do you think it felt for the other person?

Chapter 8: Reaching Restoration

1. There is a new levity in Brooks�’ body language. He stands taller, his shoulders are relaxed, he has a slight grin

and his eyes twinkle. Relief is apparent.

2. Brooks�’ confrontation was successful. Though it ended differently than he ever imagined �– with Glen�’s re-

morse and Brooks�’ forgiveness �– Brooks is free of the anger and hatred that enveloped his life.

3. Leslie is initially guarded, frustrated, and distracted, but Brooks is renewed. He stands closer and for the rst

time in the movie �– looks her straight in the eyes. At rst Leslie is taken aback by his apology, but then she

softens. In his candor and their hug together, Brooks is nally able to give Leslie the comfort she desperately

needs to begin her own healing process.

[If you didn�’t do Chapter 1: Recognizing Broken Relationships, refer back to the Chapter 1 questions (page 3)

and supplemental answers (page 55) for additional insights into Brooks and Leslie�’s relationship.]

4. [Individual answers. There is no right answer to this one. It is all in the eye of the beholder.]

5. [Individual answers. In Isaiah 41:10, God says, �“Do not fear, for I am with you�… I will strengthen you and help you.�”]

6. Joseph realized that if his brothers had not betrayed him and sold him into slavery, he never would have

risen within the Egyptian government. As an Egyptian leader, Joseph was able to save thousands of lives by

devising food rations before the country ran out of food. He says to his brothers, �“You intended to harm me,

but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, saving many lives.�” Joseph forgave his

brothers and gave them food to take care of themselves and their families.

IX

-69,>69+From Brooks Douglass

I was 13 when this photo was taken and I will never

forget it. My father Richard B. Douglass had just n-

ished writing his rst book My Way, God�’s Way. I wrote

a short paragraph that he used in one of the chapters. As

this photo was being taken, he said, �“We can use this for

the rst book we write together.�” So Dad, here it is! Of

course, I never dreamed I would write our book without

him here, nor that I would have the honor to write that

same book with my wife Julea.

My father was a devoted pastor and writer. He pas-

tored his rst church when he was 16 and published

more than 2,500 articles in his short 43 years. I re-

member many nights when I was a kid waking up at

4:00 A.M., seeing the light on from under my door, and

hearing my father�’s typewriter clickety-clacking with an

occasional ding of the bell when it reached the margin.

I�’ve kept many of the articles he wrote and want to thank

the Rocky Mountain Baptist News staff for providing us

with some of the columns we didn�’t have. Julea was able

to nd an applicable article my dad wrote for each lesson

in this guide.

My father�’s work provided the backbone not only for my career and life but now for Heaven�’s Rain and ulti-

mately this discussion guide. As I have spoken across the country, I have often repeated how the opportunities I

have had in my life are greatly because of the people my parents were. When I rst started campaigning for the

Oklahoma State Senate, I was 26 years old. I looked every bit of 18, and frankly I don�’t think people took me very

seriously at rst. I can�’t tell you how often I knocked on someone�’s door and heard, �“If you�’re half the person your

mom and dad were, you will be OK.�” I owe so much to the legacy they left for me. One of my main reasons for

undertaking this entire project and playing the role of my father in Heaven�’s Rain was to pay tribute to my parents

and to continue to share their love and example with others.

I want to thank Julea for her tireless work in developing the Heaven�’s Rain Discussion and Re ection Guide.

She�’s done a tremendous job of making sense of so many parts of Heaven�’s Rain �– and even my life �– that I�’m

not sure I really understood until I read what she wrote. I couldn�’t have accomplished this project without Julea.

From her initial support of my desire to move to Los Angeles and take up screenwriting, acting and producing to

ultimately sitting down and writing this discussion guide, she has been with me every step of the way. She jumped

in with both feet as I was writing the Heaven�’s Rain screenplay then moved our family to Oklahoma while we shot

the movie. She has paid a tting tribute of her own to my parents by so thoughtfully writing this guide.

Julea and I tried to incorporate much of the wisdom of my parents in this guide. We hope you nd something

that is meaningful for you in every lesson. Thank you for going on this journey with us.

Richard and Brooks Douglass, October, 1976

62

�• Who has a goal of working to resolve a con ict? (Look for a show of hands. People don�’t need to re-

spond with their plan unless they feel compelled. Include this in your prayer requests at the beginning

or end of the meeting.)

Chapter 6: Forgiving Ourselves

1. Brooks may have been able to go for help or he may have walked in on the scene and been shot and killed

immediately.

2. [Individual answers. Participants may not want to share this aloud. This lesson and the two to follow are

especially personal. Participants may feel vulnerable and choose to keep these responses to themselves.

Though they don�’t need to share with the group, they should still consider sharing with their partner in the

Think-Pair-Share.]

3. [Individual answers. The answer should total 100%. For example, 75% Relive + 25% Relieve = 100%, indicat-

ing this is a pervasive, ongoing concern for the individual.]

4. [Individual answers. Participants should choose a number between 1-10 indicating how close they are to

feeling peace.]

5. [Individual answers. May include talking to the person/people they associate with the regret, seeking coun-

seling, writing a letter, trying to make amends, seeing the situation from the other person�’s perspective, ask-

ing for forgiveness, strengthening their relationship with God.]

6. Before the woman went to Christ, she likely felt great guilt, regret, shame, and self-loathing. After being with

Christ, she likely felt relief, peace, resolution, and hope.

7. As Christ responded to this woman, He would meet us with an open hand and open heart. He loves us fully

and unconditionally. He would forgive our decisions and past. He would give us a new and renewed life in

Him. His words in this example are powerful and cleansing: �“Her many sins have been forgiven �– for she is

loved much�” (Luke 7:47). �“Your faith has saved you; go in peace�” (Luke 7:50).]

8. In this chapter the Apostle Paul writes to the elders of the Ephesian church about the power of Christ�’s love

and forgiveness. Paul stresses how Christ dwells within our hearts through our faith in Him. We are not

capable of fully understanding the breadth and length, depth and height of the love of Christ and fullness of

God. We are strengthened and renewed not by our own capacity but through our faith in God the Father and

Jesus his Son.

Action Step

In the next session, ask:

�• Who followed through with their Action Step and made an effort to relieve your regrets? (Look for a

show of hands.)

�• Who wants to share that experience with us?

�• For those who didn�’t follow through with their Action Step, what keeps you from making an effort to

relieve your regrets?

Special Note to Crime, Loss, and Abuse Survivors:

9. [Individual answers. Participants may not be able to relate to this. For those who do, they may hold a deeply

personal, guilt-laden response. This question may be better discussed one-on-one rather than in the group.

Follow up and ongoing support is very important.]

10. [Individual answers. Create a handout with local resources of churches, victim recovery and support groups

including contact information, phone numbers, and Website addresses.]

XI

05;96+<*;065

Welcome to the Heaven�’s Rain Discussion and Re ection Guide: A Journey Toward Peace and Purpose. We hope you nd this guide comforting and inspirational as you learn more about the movie, yourself, and God�’s pur-pose for your life.

After watching Heaven�’s Rain, some feel an instant connection. People who have lost a loved one or experienced tragedy and grief themselves can feel their own emotions played out in Brooks�’ and Leslie�’s life story. Others can-not imagine enduring such pain and loss. They have not experienced a tragedy so great, and while they sympathize with and support Brooks and Leslie, it�’s hard to put themselves in their shoes.

This Heaven�’s Rain Discussion and Re ection Guide is designed to encompass the universal emotions and ex-perience of joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, loss and healing. While you may not have experienced a loss as profound as Brooks�’ and Leslie�’s, we can all relate to a yearning to nd peace and purpose amidst disappointment, uncertainty, and challenges.

GUIDELINES

Each chapter is designed to be a 75-90 minute discussion and/or self-re ection. A discussion group is most effective when blanketed in mutual respect and opportunities for every member to speak and be heard. We recommend using the �“Think-Pair-Share�” method to keep everyone involved. After seeing the clip, participants write responses to the rst four to ve questions (think) and talk about their answers with a partner (pair & share). Members then reconvene as a whole group to talk about what they learned and to create the foundation for the rest of the lesson.

Con dentiality is crucial. Trust amongst members is the linchpin to a meaningful experience. Remind mem-bers that all conversations are to remain within the group and not be discussed outside the group.

Throughout this guide, we ask God to join us in the journey. He is essential to this story, Richard�’s lifework, and Brooks�’ healing. Each lesson has a �“Faith Walk�” with scripture to support and reinforce the theme. We recommend you start and end each lesson with prayer. God promises us in Matthew 18:20, �“for when two or three come to-gether in my name, there am I with them.�” Invite God to be present in the discussion.

If your group does not have time for all eight lessons, we suggest choosing four to eight lessons most important to members. It is not necessary to do the lesson before to be prepared for the next lesson. Although each lesson can stand on its own, the last two lessons �– Feeling Forgiveness and Reaching Restoration �– go well together.

Please schedule time before starting the guide to see all of Heaven�’s Rain movie, which can be viewed in 97 min-utes. We also recommend seeing the movie again after you have nished the guide. People consistently tell us that the movie is more powerful for them the second time after they become more familiar with the characters and story.

We would love to hear about your experience with the movie and this guide. Please feel free to e-mail Julea directly (julea@heavensrainmovie.com) and/or join the discussion on our website (www.heavensrainmovie.com/discuss).

We wish you peace and purpose�….Respectfully, Julea & Brooks Douglass

58

8. In these verses, Paul says he was �“given a thorn in his side, a messenger of Satan, to torment me,�” meaning a temp-

tation or burden that was hard to overcome. When Paul pleads with God to take the burden away, the Lord responds,

�“My grace is suf cient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness,�” meaning God does not need to remove the

burden because His strength is more powerful than the burden. With this, Paul says, �“for Christ�’s sake, I delight in

weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in dif culties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.�” If we

invite God to join us in our suffering and pray for his support, he will give us strength to endure and overcome.

9. [Individual answers.]

10. [Individual answers.]

11. I Corinthians 2:9 refers to Isaiah 64:4. God�’s plans for us are not communicated through sight or sound or even human reasoning but through his Spirit, which lives within us.

Action Step

In the next session Ask:

�• Who followed through on their Action Step and interviewed a friend or family member about the ben-e ts and costs of pursuing one�’s passion? (Wait for a show of hands.)

�• Does anyone want to share what you learned from that interview?

�• How has examining the impetus and role of your passion affected your decision-making around that passion?

Chapter 3: Identifying Family In uences

1. [Individual answers.]

2. [Individual answers.]

3. [Individual answers. They may be mixed emotions, e.g., joy and loss; excitement and apprehension; anger and fear.]

4. Brooks�’ parents were consistent and predictable. While not perfect, they modeled unconditional love for each other, their family, their congregation, and their community. They worked hard to maintain a Christ-like life of compassion, generosity, servitude, emotional control, and seeking God�’s will in their decision-making. In Heaven�’s Rain ashbacks, Brooks�’ father Richard implants several applicable life lessons modeled in his words and actions. For example:

a) The snow ake scene. Brooks says this was one of the only times he ever saw his father cry. Richard had spent dozens of hours typing his thesis on a manual typewriter. There was no backup disc or �“re-print�” option. Seeing his paper cut into snow akes represented hours and hours of trying to recreate his nished work �– and their family was scheduled to move to Brazil in a few weeks leaving little time to nish it again. Brooks�’ snow ake decision was an innocent act of kindness, not a malicious decision. If Brooks had known it was wrong, his father certainly would have reacted differently. In this case, Richard took deep breaths, paused, looked his son in the eyes, forgave him, and advised him about future deci-sions (�“Next time, ask Mommy and Daddy for paper�”). In this example, Richard modeled compassion, unconditional love, and emotional restraint in the face of disappointment and anger.

b) A boy throws a rock at Leslie. Brooks chases and punches the boy. His father doesn�’t pun-ish him. Brooks had a history of ghting with local kids. Sometimes provoked; sometimes not. In this case, Brooks was standing up for his sister. His father was initially angry, but upon hearing Brooks�’ motivation, Richard cools down and empathizes with Brooks�’ perspective and decision-making. He tells Brooks to pretend like he got in a lot of trouble.

[Ask: Do you agree with Richard�’s decision to allow/encourage Brooks to try to deceive his Mom? Why or why not?]

3

*OHW[LY��!�9LJVNUPaPUN�)YVRLU�9LSH[PVUZOPWZWhat relationship(s) are broken or damaged in your life? Are you ready to try to improve the relationship(s)?

Behind the Scenes:

Heaven�’s Rain depicts the constant contrast of joy and pain, life and death, good and evil, before and after. The audience witnesses the Douglass family�’s idyllic days then their tragic disintegration. To Heaven�’s Rain authors Brooks Douglass and Paul Brown, Brooks�’ memories of his childhood in Brazil were his Paradise Lost, a place with a golden sun, lush green vegetation, security, freedom, and unconditional love. With the introduction of evil, the Douglass family was expelled from innocence into a new realm of regret and responsibility.

As with the fall of Adam and Eve from the original paradise, nothing was ever the same again. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, their eyes were opened to a new reality, and their hearts closed to the capacity for unguarded love. They felt shame, mistrust, anger, and aggression. The purity of their love for God and each other was lost in a moment.

In the movie, Brooks and Leslie struggle to communicate and connect. Their love runs deep, but their conversations remain on the surface. They avoid eye contact, are quick to anger, and too busy for compassion. As Leslie says later, �“Brooks just kind of ran away,�” leaving much of their relationship behind �– broken and untended. It is not until the last scene of the movie that they are able to make eye contact again and to open their hearts to a renewed relationship.

Think-Pair-Share Questions (For Groups: Before discussing the clip as a group, take a few minutes to an-swer the following ve questions for yourself then pair with a partner and take turns sharing your responses):

1. What observations did you make from this clip and the movie about Brooks and Leslie�’s adult relationship?

Clip Summary:

1) Young Brooks and Leslie play in the sheets and laugh.

2) The scene flashes to mod-ern day Leslie, who says: �“We used to be buddies when we were kids, but everything�’s changed�… since that night.�”

3) Next scene: Brooks and Leslie flee the house after the crime, injured and without their parents.

4

2. In a Dateline NBC interview, Brooks re ected on past relationships and said: �“I look back, and I was just building this coat of armor�… that was killing me and killing my marriage, my friendships, everything. At the end of the day, it was protecting me, but also keeping me away from the people that I love.�” In the movie, how does Brooks�’ �“coat of armor�” protect him? How does it hurt him?

3. Are there broken or damaged relationships in your life? (Think about someone �– a close friend, family member, or co-worker �– with whom you were close to once but have lost that connection.)

4. Can you relate to a �“coat of armor�”? How so? If not, how do you protect yourself from hurt or disappointment?

5. What would it take to mend a broken relationship? What would you need from the other person? What would you need to give that person?

Faith Walk

At the core of most broken relationships is fear �– a fear of loss, disappointment, or vulnerability. Often that fear is expressed as anger or avoidance (also known as �“ ght or ight�”).

6. If you have experienced a broken relationship, how has fear affected the situation? What do you fear you have to lose in this relationship?

7. What do you have to gain if you are able to repair this relationship?

57

than human weakness and fear. As He said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, �“My grace is suf cient for you, for

my power is made perfect in weakness.�” Through Christ�’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter goes

on to make wise decisions in the future and becomes a courageous and positive example for others �– though

he still fell short sometimes.

9. [Individual answers]

10. [Individual answers]

Action Step

Ask participants if they would like to share what their action step will be.

In the next meeting, follow up on action steps. Ask:

�• Who followed up on your Action Step from our last class to do one thing �– large or small �– to nd peace

in your broken relationship?�” (Wait for a show of hands.)

�• If so, how did it feel to take that step?

�• How do you think it felt for the other person?

Follow-up about nding a spotter to be supportive. Ask:

�• Who reached out to talk with a �“spotter�” this week?

�• If so, how did that feel for you?

�• How do you think it felt for your spotter?

Encourage people to identify a spotter if they have not already done so.

Chapter 2: Finding Purpose

1. [Individual answers. If participants are not currently pursuing a passion, ask them what they would pursue

if they had more time or interest to do so.]

2. [Individual answers. Often passions stem from early childhood in uences, natural talents and interests,

professional positions, and/or signi cant events.]

3. [Individual answers.]

4. [Individual answer. If necessary, Ask: �“How do you think your pursuit of your passion may impact time

commitments and balancing work life, family life, and other responsibilities?�”]

5. Paul�’s parents were likely prominent Roman Pharisees, which allowed Paul greater privileges as a Roman

citizen and led to a quality education and a path toward leadership amongst Pharisees. God recognized Paul�’s

relentless spirit and chose to use this passion to bolster Christianity in the region and ultimately throughout

history. In his lifetime, Paul traveled throughout the Middle East, converted hundreds of nonbelievers to

Christianity, passionately supported budding churches throughout the region, withstood being stoned and

nearly six years of prison terms, and in the process authored at least seven and possibly as many as 14 books

of the 27 books of the New Testament. Paul�’s suffering, dogged survival, and loyal servitude to spreading the

Gospel gave us First and Second Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and other books of the Bible

that will forever serve as a source of direction and inspiration in the Christian walk. ]

6. [Individual answers.]

7. [Individual answers. Some people replenish themselves through positive habits like eating well, exercising,

and sleeping enough. Others replenish through reading, quiet time, and Bible study. Some feel refreshed

after talking with someone.]

56

e) When Nicole mentions that Ake is in the same prison, Leslie�’s eyes are wide with fear. �“What?�…. Ake is here?!,�” she asks desperately. Brooks replies, �“Don�’t worry; I�’m taking care of it.�” Brooks leaves Leslie again while he goes to confront Ake.

Brooks and Leslie�’s coping mechanisms are in con ict with each other. Leslie needs comfort; Brooks needs con-frontation. Brooks is restless; Leslie is alone. After Brooks meets with Ake, he is nally able to rest and begin to let go. In the last scene, for the rst time in the movie and in the many years since the crime, he is able to truly comfort his sister.

2. Imagine trying to hug someone who literally wore a coat of armor. Would it be a warm and comforting hug? Or would it be stiff and nearly impossible?

After Brooks�’ parents were killed he joined the military in his early twenties. He needed money for college and vowed to himself that he would never be victimized again. He would learn to ght �‘evil�’ and protect him-self and others. This need to protect himself and others carried over into his personal life. In the movie, we see him vivacious by day �– joking with others and carrying on his professional life �– but in his private life his marriage is crumbling, he feuds with his sister, he can�’t pay his bills, and he drinks alone.

His �“coat of armor�” protects him by allowing him to seek a successful career, ght for victims�’ rights, and ultimately confront Glen Ake. He marries his high school sweetheart because beneath his armor is a man who genuinely wants to love and be loved. He misses his childhood home and wants to recreate that sense of family and security.

Yet, his coat of armor is lonely. Even amongst company, he is still alone. His friendships are shallow, his wife is tired of �“trying to help him ght his ghosts,�” and his sister feels abandoned. Brooks is distracted by his longing for the past and his quest for justice. He has learned to be resilient and self-reliant but now nds himself struggling to develop lasting and meaningful relationships with others.

3. [Individual answers]

4. [Individual answers]

5. Though each situation is different, most relationship repairs begin with empathy and perspective taking. If the offender or the offended takes the time to truly try to understand what the other person is thinking and feeling, s/he can begin to let down defenses and start to identify how to meet the other person part way.

In Brooks�’ life, Glen Ake met him half way by taking responsibil-ity for his actions and expressing genuine heartfelt remorse. If Glen had not made a deliberate effort to seek God and forgiveness, it is unlikely that Brooks would have ever felt the freedom of forgiving. Glen had to make the rst move. The rst move is crucial to relation-ship repair.

In Brooks�’ relationship with Leslie, Brooks had to work on his own anger and regret before he was mentally and emotionally prepared to support Leslie. Possibly if they had sought comfort in each other, they both would have been prepared sooner, but in Brooks�’ case, he had to heal rst before he could help Leslie heal.

Notice the chain of events. Ake sought forgiveness; Brooks forgave. Brooks felt redeemed and could then comfort his sister. What chain of events could your rst move affect?

6. [Individual answers]

7. [Individual answers]

8. Unconditional love understands and forgives. Peter was imperfect. When faced with challenge, he failed. He later regretted his decision but the damage was done. He betrayed his beloved. Yet, Christ�’s love is stronger

Empathy - Direct identi cation

with, understanding of, and vicari-

ous experience of another person�’s

situation, feelings, and motives.

5

The disciple John reminds us: �“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he loved us rst�” (I John 4: 18-19). Even after the fall in the Garden of Eden, God promises us the potential for perfect love. Throughout the New Testament, we have Christ�’s example of unguarded, unconditional love �– even when He knew He would ultimately be betrayed.

8. Read Matthew 26:31-35 and 26:69-75. After his disciple Peter let Him down, Christ continued to trust and care for his friend. What can we learn from Christ through his relationship with Peter?

Application & Reflection

Refer back to question 5: What would it take to mend a broken relationship? Reaching resolution is dif cult, messy, and often painful work. Maybe you feel ready to delve in head rst to repair this relationship. Maybe you�’re ready for baby steps. Or maybe it�’s not possible to contact this person due to distance, death, or safety concerns.

9. What is one step �– large or small �– you can take towards nding more peace around this relationship? (ex-amples: writing a letter, visiting or doing something to try to see it from the other person�’s perspective)

When taking risks, it�’s always good to have a spotter, someone who�’s got your back and can help you keep your balance. Gymnasts have spotters when they try a new, dif cult move. Recovering alcoholics have sponsors as they progress through the program.

10. Who can be a spotter for you as you address this relationship? (It can be someone in the group, in your fam-ily, at church, work, in your community or your circle of friends.)

Action Step

Make a commitment to do one thing �– large or small �– to nd peace in this relationship in the next week. Share with your spotter or the group the result of your experiment.

6

3,::65:�3,(95,+�¶�9LJVUJPSPUN�)YVRLU�9LSH[PVUZOPWZBy Brooks Douglass

Relationships are messy and they are so because

they involve people. Yet they are what make our

lives worthwhile, whether it is with our family, our

friends or our relationship with God.

Few people will ever go through what Leslie and

I experienced together. We loved each other very

much and had been very close, but everything

changed after the murders of our parents. We

were separated, and no one realized that we could

have helped each other more than anyone else. It

ultimately made things far more dif cult because

when we were together there wasn�’t a sense of com-

fort. We rarely discussed the crime but our time to-

gether only reminded us of the guilt and pain we both carried inside us. We both wound up left to ourselves, trying

to gure out how to hang on long enough to put as many good experiences and memories as we could between the

crime and ourselves.

Leslie and I dealt with what happened in different ways. She was told to suck it up and not talk about it. I made

myself too busy to think. Most of what I did was outwardly very positive �– graduating from college and law school,

joining the military, and getting elected to the State Senate �– but inwardly I was falling apart. My life was in com-

plete chaos. I was broke and had managed to drive away or separate myself from all the people I loved most and

who loved me. Leslie and I both had an amazingly strong need for a family but sought to ful ll that need from other

people rather than from each other. She got married at 20 and I married at 21. Both marriages ended in divorce in

less than ve years.

I ultimately had to deal with my own demons by facing the anger, hate and guilt before I could begin to restore

my relationship with Leslie and my rst wife. With my rst wife, the string of broken promises, neglect of our re-

lationship and my failure to move forward emotionally destroyed our marriage. We never recovered. With Leslie I

apologized and asked her to forgive me for not protecting her that night. It was then that I learned of her feelings

of guilt and I began to get a glimpse of life through her eyes.

I�’ve learned a couple of things about restoring relationships. One is that we have to learn to see things from the

perspective of others. Rarely is one person entirely to blame. We may be hurting people without even realizing it.

Even if we don�’t agree we can still seek to understand and acknowledge their hurt.

I also learned that I have to accept human nature as it is. I place expectations on others and they do the same

with me. I let people down by not living up to their expectations, whether reasonable or not and they do the same

with me. It�’s even harder when hurtful behavior is repeated. Just when we begin to feel we can forgive and move

on, painful wounds are reopened. I have to accept that others can�’t be perfect - and neither can I.

My rst wife and I did not reconcile. But we were ultimately able to nd the capacity to forgive each other and

reach a level of friendship and respect. We have both gone on to build new, strong and loving families. Leslie and I

have gone through the normal ups and downs that any brother and sister go through. But we remain very close and

support each other completely. She was instrumental in writing and making Heaven�’s Rain, which in turn, I think

and hope, has helped her gain a new perspective on the struggles she has faced and why.

55

+0:*<::065�8<,:;065�(5:>,9:-VY�.YV\W�3LHKLYZ

Each group brings its own personality and approach to the lesson questions. Below are responses to supplement

your group discussion. We would recommend that you answer the questions for yourself rst and then look to

these answers for additional information.

Chapter 1: Recognizing Broken Relationships

1. In childhood, Brooks and Leslie were carefree and unguarded. Brooks looked out for Leslie and she relied on

and con ded in him. After the crime, their comfortable camaraderie was lost. Like many victims of crime,

their ability to connect with others was somewhat severed from the pain and shame that comes with trauma

and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In adulthood, they are quick to anger, avoid eye contact, and

guard themselves against further hurt and disappointment. For example:

a) In the scene in Leslie�’s kitchen, Brooks urges Leslie to go to the execution. Leslie�’s arms are crossed

(body language for guarded and oppositional). Brooks says, �“this is for Mom and Dad.�” Leslie replies,

�“Mom and Dad would want me to go on with my life.�” Brooks wants to approach the problem head-

on. Leslie wants to avoid it. Brooks is interfering with her coping mechanism of avoidance and moving

forward. Leslie is threatening his sense of justice and need for support. The conversation circles around

their defensive postures. Leslie makes a personal jab: �“is Heather going to be there tonight?�….�” When

Brooks replies, �“I don�’t know yet,�” she says, �“Yeah, just what I thought - she wouldn�’t stick by you

through this.�” Consciously or subconsciously, Leslie is trying to push Brooks out of her private space.

Eventually, Brooks leaves feeling frustrated and defeated.

b) Later in the movie, Leslie gives in and goes to the execution. She and Brooks argue immediately as they

prepare for the prison tour. She says, �“I came here because you asked me to and now it seems like you

don�’t even want me here.�” Brooks replies impatiently, �“�….of course I want you here,�” but his body lan-

guage is tense and distracted. They are not meeting each other�’s need to feel supported. They both feel

vulnerable and alone as they prepare for the execution, yet neither is capable of comforting the other.

The tension continues, then as Brooks ashes back to happier times in their childhood he begins to re-

member the essence and strength of their relationship. When he returns to present time he protectively

puts his arm around Leslie as they walk through the prison.

c) As Leslie con des in the reporter (Nicole), Nicole tries to comfort Leslie by saying, �“I know your brother

loves you very much.�” Leslie responds, �“Well, of course, I know he loves me�… and I love him. It just

seems like he needed to run away.�” Nicole responds later, �“so you lost your parents and your brother.�”

Leslie nods, revealing her sense of abandonment and loneliness.

d) Later when Brooks is watching the news coverage with crime scene photos of their parents, he quickly

turns off the TV when Leslie walks in. He is trying to protect her from seeing the photos. Leslie opens

up and says �“�…Dad was going to tell us we were going back to Brazil.�” Again Brooks raises his voice at

Leslie, �“You never told me that. Why didn�’t you tell me?�” Leslie looks crestfallen. Brooks exits the room

�– again leaving the situation rather than comforting his sister.

7

;/,�4050:;9@�6-9,*65*030(;065

By Richard B. DouglassFebruary 5, 1975

Recently a young lawyer accepted a low paying job

with a foundation working with the �“emerging na-

tions�” of the world. When he was asked why he took

a seventy- ve percent cut in salary he replied: �“There

is so much strife in the world. I hope that I can help

bring some harmony and peace between the people

of the world.�”

Promoting peace and harmony meets an urgent

need in a divided world. This role emerged early in

Christian history as an important part of the Chris-

tian responsibility. Their approach differed radi-

cally from some of the modern and secular methods

though. Paul described the work of the Christians as

�“the ministry of reconciliation.�” He claimed that each

believer becomes an �“ambassador for Christ.�”

Paul saw the principle problem of man as a sin

problem. Men live out of harmony with God. They

rebel against God�’s authority in their lives. The rst

task of the Christian is to restore harmony between

a person and God. Only then can there be the right

kind of unity between people. The idea of reconcili-

ation is to bring individuals who are out of harmony

into a state of agreement and peace. As representa-

tives of Christ, Christians help bring this harmony

between people and God. Then they strive to bring it

between individuals.

The rst quali cation for a reconciler is that he

must rst be reconciled. In II Corinthians, chapter

ve, Paul describes the individual who has been rec-

onciled to God. He becomes so radically changed that

it is like becoming a whole new creation. The sins of

such a person are no longer held against them. God

commissions them to become His representatives in

presenting the good news of salvation to others. The

transformed individual should become a changer of

his world.

Christians strive to be like Jesus Christ. The Apos-

tle maintained that Christ came into the world to rec-

oncile people to God. We are like him when we are

serving the role of the peacemakers between God and

men. Then we become peacemakers between men

and men also. Two individuals who have harmony

with God have a basis for coming into harmony with

each other.

In Galatians Paul described how the Christian helps

create harmony between people. He builds on the

foundation of the individual�’s relationship to God.

The burdens of the other person are shared by the

reconciler. When he knows that someone else minis-

ters in Christ�’s name an effort is made to strengthen

and sustain that ministry. The reconciler bears his

own responsibilities while willingly helping someone

else with theirs. This spirit of unsel shness and con-

cern for others provides an atmosphere in which the

believer can bring harmony between individuals. As

ambassadors for Christ, Christians have a continu-

ing responsibility to bring peace between people and

God and promote it between the people of the world.

6

3,::65:�3,(95,+�¶�9LJVUJPSPUN�)YVRLU�9LSH[PVUZOPWZBy Brooks Douglass

Relationships are messy and they are so because

they involve people. Yet they are what make our

lives worthwhile, whether it is with our family, our

friends or our relationship with God.

Few people will ever go through what Leslie and

I experienced together. We loved each other very

much and had been very close, but everything

changed after the murders of our parents. We

were separated, and no one realized that we could

have helped each other more than anyone else. It

ultimately made things far more dif cult because

when we were together there wasn�’t a sense of com-

fort. We rarely discussed the crime but our time to-

gether only reminded us of the guilt and pain we both carried inside us. We both wound up left to ourselves, trying

to gure out how to hang on long enough to put as many good experiences and memories as we could between the

crime and ourselves.

Leslie and I dealt with what happened in different ways. She was told to suck it up and not talk about it. I made

myself too busy to think. Most of what I did was outwardly very positive �– graduating from college and law school,

joining the military, and getting elected to the State Senate �– but inwardly I was falling apart. My life was in com-

plete chaos. I was broke and had managed to drive away or separate myself from all the people I loved most and

who loved me. Leslie and I both had an amazingly strong need for a family but sought to ful ll that need from other

people rather than from each other. She got married at 20 and I married at 21. Both marriages ended in divorce in

less than ve years.

I ultimately had to deal with my own demons by facing the anger, hate and guilt before I could begin to restore

my relationship with Leslie and my rst wife. With my rst wife, the string of broken promises, neglect of our re-

lationship and my failure to move forward emotionally destroyed our marriage. We never recovered. With Leslie I

apologized and asked her to forgive me for not protecting her that night. It was then that I learned of her feelings

of guilt and I began to get a glimpse of life through her eyes.

I�’ve learned a couple of things about restoring relationships. One is that we have to learn to see things from the

perspective of others. Rarely is one person entirely to blame. We may be hurting people without even realizing it.

Even if we don�’t agree we can still seek to understand and acknowledge their hurt.

I also learned that I have to accept human nature as it is. I place expectations on others and they do the same

with me. I let people down by not living up to their expectations, whether reasonable or not and they do the same

with me. It�’s even harder when hurtful behavior is repeated. Just when we begin to feel we can forgive and move

on, painful wounds are reopened. I have to accept that others can�’t be perfect - and neither can I.

My rst wife and I did not reconcile. But we were ultimately able to nd the capacity to forgive each other and

reach a level of friendship and respect. We have both gone on to build new, strong and loving families. Leslie and I

have gone through the normal ups and downs that any brother and sister go through. But we remain very close and

support each other completely. She was instrumental in writing and making Heaven�’s Rain, which in turn, I think

and hope, has helped her gain a new perspective on the struggles she has faced and why.

55

+0:*<::065�8<,:;065�(5:>,9:-VY�.YV\W�3LHKLYZ

Each group brings its own personality and approach to the lesson questions. Below are responses to supplement

your group discussion. We would recommend that you answer the questions for yourself rst and then look to

these answers for additional information.

Chapter 1: Recognizing Broken Relationships

1. In childhood, Brooks and Leslie were carefree and unguarded. Brooks looked out for Leslie and she relied on

and con ded in him. After the crime, their comfortable camaraderie was lost. Like many victims of crime,

their ability to connect with others was somewhat severed from the pain and shame that comes with trauma

and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In adulthood, they are quick to anger, avoid eye contact, and

guard themselves against further hurt and disappointment. For example:

a) In the scene in Leslie�’s kitchen, Brooks urges Leslie to go to the execution. Leslie�’s arms are crossed

(body language for guarded and oppositional). Brooks says, �“this is for Mom and Dad.�” Leslie replies,

�“Mom and Dad would want me to go on with my life.�” Brooks wants to approach the problem head-

on. Leslie wants to avoid it. Brooks is interfering with her coping mechanism of avoidance and moving

forward. Leslie is threatening his sense of justice and need for support. The conversation circles around

their defensive postures. Leslie makes a personal jab: �“is Heather going to be there tonight?�….�” When

Brooks replies, �“I don�’t know yet,�” she says, �“Yeah, just what I thought - she wouldn�’t stick by you

through this.�” Consciously or subconsciously, Leslie is trying to push Brooks out of her private space.

Eventually, Brooks leaves feeling frustrated and defeated.

b) Later in the movie, Leslie gives in and goes to the execution. She and Brooks argue immediately as they

prepare for the prison tour. She says, �“I came here because you asked me to and now it seems like you

don�’t even want me here.�” Brooks replies impatiently, �“�….of course I want you here,�” but his body lan-

guage is tense and distracted. They are not meeting each other�’s need to feel supported. They both feel

vulnerable and alone as they prepare for the execution, yet neither is capable of comforting the other.

The tension continues, then as Brooks ashes back to happier times in their childhood he begins to re-

member the essence and strength of their relationship. When he returns to present time he protectively

puts his arm around Leslie as they walk through the prison.

c) As Leslie con des in the reporter (Nicole), Nicole tries to comfort Leslie by saying, �“I know your brother

loves you very much.�” Leslie responds, �“Well, of course, I know he loves me�… and I love him. It just

seems like he needed to run away.�” Nicole responds later, �“so you lost your parents and your brother.�”

Leslie nods, revealing her sense of abandonment and loneliness.

d) Later when Brooks is watching the news coverage with crime scene photos of their parents, he quickly

turns off the TV when Leslie walks in. He is trying to protect her from seeing the photos. Leslie opens

up and says �“�…Dad was going to tell us we were going back to Brazil.�” Again Brooks raises his voice at

Leslie, �“You never told me that. Why didn�’t you tell me?�” Leslie looks crestfallen. Brooks exits the room

�– again leaving the situation rather than comforting his sister.

56

e) When Nicole mentions that Ake is in the same prison, Leslie�’s eyes are wide with fear. �“What?�…. Ake is here?!,�” she asks desperately. Brooks replies, �“Don�’t worry; I�’m taking care of it.�” Brooks leaves Leslie again while he goes to confront Ake.

Brooks and Leslie�’s coping mechanisms are in con ict with each other. Leslie needs comfort; Brooks needs con-frontation. Brooks is restless; Leslie is alone. After Brooks meets with Ake, he is nally able to rest and begin to let go. In the last scene, for the rst time in the movie and in the many years since the crime, he is able to truly comfort his sister.

2. Imagine trying to hug someone who literally wore a coat of armor. Would it be a warm and comforting hug? Or would it be stiff and nearly impossible?

After Brooks�’ parents were killed he joined the military in his early twenties. He needed money for college and vowed to himself that he would never be victimized again. He would learn to ght �‘evil�’ and protect him-self and others. This need to protect himself and others carried over into his personal life. In the movie, we see him vivacious by day �– joking with others and carrying on his professional life �– but in his private life his marriage is crumbling, he feuds with his sister, he can�’t pay his bills, and he drinks alone.

His �“coat of armor�” protects him by allowing him to seek a successful career, ght for victims�’ rights, and ultimately confront Glen Ake. He marries his high school sweetheart because beneath his armor is a man who genuinely wants to love and be loved. He misses his childhood home and wants to recreate that sense of family and security.

Yet, his coat of armor is lonely. Even amongst company, he is still alone. His friendships are shallow, his wife is tired of �“trying to help him ght his ghosts,�” and his sister feels abandoned. Brooks is distracted by his longing for the past and his quest for justice. He has learned to be resilient and self-reliant but now nds himself struggling to develop lasting and meaningful relationships with others.

3. [Individual answers]

4. [Individual answers]

5. Though each situation is different, most relationship repairs begin with empathy and perspective taking. If the offender or the offended takes the time to truly try to understand what the other person is thinking and feeling, s/he can begin to let down defenses and start to identify how to meet the other person part way.

In Brooks�’ life, Glen Ake met him half way by taking responsibil-ity for his actions and expressing genuine heartfelt remorse. If Glen had not made a deliberate effort to seek God and forgiveness, it is unlikely that Brooks would have ever felt the freedom of forgiving. Glen had to make the rst move. The rst move is crucial to relation-ship repair.

In Brooks�’ relationship with Leslie, Brooks had to work on his own anger and regret before he was mentally and emotionally prepared to support Leslie. Possibly if they had sought comfort in each other, they both would have been prepared sooner, but in Brooks�’ case, he had to heal rst before he could help Leslie heal.

Notice the chain of events. Ake sought forgiveness; Brooks forgave. Brooks felt redeemed and could then comfort his sister. What chain of events could your rst move affect?

6. [Individual answers]

7. [Individual answers]

8. Unconditional love understands and forgives. Peter was imperfect. When faced with challenge, he failed. He later regretted his decision but the damage was done. He betrayed his beloved. Yet, Christ�’s love is stronger

Empathy - Direct identi cation

with, understanding of, and vicari-

ous experience of another person�’s

situation, feelings, and motives.

5

The disciple John reminds us: �“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he loved us rst�” (I John 4: 18-19). Even after the fall in the Garden of Eden, God promises us the potential for perfect love. Throughout the New Testament, we have Christ�’s example of unguarded, unconditional love �– even when He knew He would ultimately be betrayed.

8. Read Matthew 26:31-35 and 26:69-75. After his disciple Peter let Him down, Christ continued to trust and care for his friend. What can we learn from Christ through his relationship with Peter?

Application & Reflection

Refer back to question 5: What would it take to mend a broken relationship? Reaching resolution is dif cult, messy, and often painful work. Maybe you feel ready to delve in head rst to repair this relationship. Maybe you�’re ready for baby steps. Or maybe it�’s not possible to contact this person due to distance, death, or safety concerns.

9. What is one step �– large or small �– you can take towards nding more peace around this relationship? (ex-amples: writing a letter, visiting or doing something to try to see it from the other person�’s perspective)

When taking risks, it�’s always good to have a spotter, someone who�’s got your back and can help you keep your balance. Gymnasts have spotters when they try a new, dif cult move. Recovering alcoholics have sponsors as they progress through the program.

10. Who can be a spotter for you as you address this relationship? (It can be someone in the group, in your fam-ily, at church, work, in your community or your circle of friends.)

Action Step

Make a commitment to do one thing �– large or small �– to nd peace in this relationship in the next week. Share with your spotter or the group the result of your experiment.

4

2. In a Dateline NBC interview, Brooks re ected on past relationships and said: �“I look back, and I was just building this coat of armor�… that was killing me and killing my marriage, my friendships, everything. At the end of the day, it was protecting me, but also keeping me away from the people that I love.�” In the movie, how does Brooks�’ �“coat of armor�” protect him? How does it hurt him?

3. Are there broken or damaged relationships in your life? (Think about someone �– a close friend, family member, or co-worker �– with whom you were close to once but have lost that connection.)

4. Can you relate to a �“coat of armor�”? How so? If not, how do you protect yourself from hurt or disappointment?

5. What would it take to mend a broken relationship? What would you need from the other person? What would you need to give that person?

Faith Walk

At the core of most broken relationships is fear �– a fear of loss, disappointment, or vulnerability. Often that fear is expressed as anger or avoidance (also known as �“ ght or ight�”).

6. If you have experienced a broken relationship, how has fear affected the situation? What do you fear you have to lose in this relationship?

7. What do you have to gain if you are able to repair this relationship?

57

than human weakness and fear. As He said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, �“My grace is suf cient for you, for

my power is made perfect in weakness.�” Through Christ�’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter goes

on to make wise decisions in the future and becomes a courageous and positive example for others �– though

he still fell short sometimes.

9. [Individual answers]

10. [Individual answers]

Action Step

Ask participants if they would like to share what their action step will be.

In the next meeting, follow up on action steps. Ask:

�• Who followed up on your Action Step from our last class to do one thing �– large or small �– to nd peace

in your broken relationship?�” (Wait for a show of hands.)

�• If so, how did it feel to take that step?

�• How do you think it felt for the other person?

Follow-up about nding a spotter to be supportive. Ask:

�• Who reached out to talk with a �“spotter�” this week?

�• If so, how did that feel for you?

�• How do you think it felt for your spotter?

Encourage people to identify a spotter if they have not already done so.

Chapter 2: Finding Purpose

1. [Individual answers. If participants are not currently pursuing a passion, ask them what they would pursue

if they had more time or interest to do so.]

2. [Individual answers. Often passions stem from early childhood in uences, natural talents and interests,

professional positions, and/or signi cant events.]

3. [Individual answers.]

4. [Individual answer. If necessary, Ask: �“How do you think your pursuit of your passion may impact time

commitments and balancing work life, family life, and other responsibilities?�”]

5. Paul�’s parents were likely prominent Roman Pharisees, which allowed Paul greater privileges as a Roman

citizen and led to a quality education and a path toward leadership amongst Pharisees. God recognized Paul�’s

relentless spirit and chose to use this passion to bolster Christianity in the region and ultimately throughout

history. In his lifetime, Paul traveled throughout the Middle East, converted hundreds of nonbelievers to

Christianity, passionately supported budding churches throughout the region, withstood being stoned and

nearly six years of prison terms, and in the process authored at least seven and possibly as many as 14 books

of the 27 books of the New Testament. Paul�’s suffering, dogged survival, and loyal servitude to spreading the

Gospel gave us First and Second Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and other books of the Bible

that will forever serve as a source of direction and inspiration in the Christian walk. ]

6. [Individual answers.]

7. [Individual answers. Some people replenish themselves through positive habits like eating well, exercising,

and sleeping enough. Others replenish through reading, quiet time, and Bible study. Some feel refreshed

after talking with someone.]

II

Heaven�’s Rain Discussion and Reflection Guide: A Journey Toward Peace and Purpose

Copyright © 2011 by Julea and Brooks Douglass.

Published by Heaven�’s Rain Productions, Burbank, CA. www.heavensrainmovie.com

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV) ®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means�—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording or any other�—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

71

()6<;�;/,�(<;/69:

Julea Douglass is wife to Brooks Douglass, mother to their two

sweet children, and co-author of School-Connect: Optimizing the

High School Experience. School-Connect is a 40-lesson curriculum

designed to help teens boost their social, emotional, and academic

skills and prepare for life in and after high school. School-Connect

is used in high schools nationwide, Canada, and abroad. Julea re-

ceived her doctorate from the University of Virginia�’s Curry Pro-

grams in Clinical and School Psychology.

Brooks Douglass has had diverse careers in business, politics, the

military, and lm-making. At 27, he was elected the youngest State

Senator to serve in Oklahoma. After retiring from the senate, Brooks

began to focus on a long-held passion for writing, acting, and cre-

ating. He recently co-authored, acted in, and produced Heaven�’s

Rain, a powerful lm honoring his parents, Richard and Mari-

lyn Douglass who were tragically killed in 1979. Brooks graduated

from Baylor University in Texas, University of Oklahoma City�’s Law

School, and Harvard University�’s Kennedy School of Government.

Richard B. Douglass pastored his rst church when he was 16

years old and continued this passion and purpose until his death

at age 43. In his lifetime he was head pastor at Putnam City Baptist

Church in Oklahoma City and before that other churches in Okla-

homa and Texas. He was a missionary with his family in Brazil from

1968 to 1972, author of hundreds of faith-based articles and My

Way, God�’s Way (1978), president of the Southern Baptist Conven-

tion of Oklahoma, and dedicated to prison ministries throughout

Oklahoma. Richard was loving husband to Marilyn and father to

Brooks and Leslie Douglass.