Inspirational stories that remind us of God's promise to always be with us!

Dr. Charles and Sharon Betters, founders of MARKINC, share in this video the importance of why the Help & Hope Stories are produced.
The Help & Hope Stories, produced by MARKINC, are designed for when life hurts. These inspirational stories tackle some of life's most challenging circumstances that are often hard to discuss but must be faced as we support one another in walking by faith. These stories feature real-life testimonies from individuals who have navigated these experiences and found their strength in Christ.
Listening to these resources can also help strengthen your foundation for those unexpected moments when your faith is tested. We hope you find encouragement in these stories and that you will share them with others to help them persevere in their faith.


Loss of a Child is MARKINC's first resource, encouraging over 2 million hearts with help, hope, and healing. In this interview, Dr. Chuck and Sharon Betters discuss their story as parents who lost Mark, their sixteen year old son, in a devastating car accident. They are honest and they are real about their struggle to not only face each day without Mark but also to reconcile the love of God with His sovereign care.
In this interview with Dr. Rosaria Butterfield, Chuck and Sharon Betters ask these and many more questions about a topic that has numerous families struggling to understand. Dr. Butterfield is uniquely qualified to provide guidance and wisdom to those who are desperate for help and hope as they are challenged by life choices that are foreign and even scary. Listeners will be encouraged and better equipped to walk this pathway as well as come alongside of others who are struggling with same sex attraction.
In this interview, Peter Rosenberger author of Hope for the Caregiver, candidly discusses the pressures a caregiver experiences when solely responsible for his or her spouse’s physical needs. He humbly admits that he has made every mistake possible and is passionate about helping other caregivers avoid those pitfalls.
Nearly aborted, graciously adopted and later abandoned, Lori Sealy has traveled the road of atheism and lived a life of autism. Lori was diagnosed with Autism as an adult and not long after that diagnosis learned her son had autism as well. In this interview, parents of a young man who has autism ask Lori the questions burning in the hearts of other parents with high functioning children that struggle every day with the "thorn of autism."
From pro soccer player to ex-convict Matt Maher’s story is a call to young people to think carefully before making impulsive decisions. Matt was born and raised in a strong Christian family, and for most of his life he was a good reflection of that upbringing. He was extremely successful in academia and sports, attended Temple University on a scholarship and was contracted to play professional soccer. Then one night, he made one choice that changed everything. On March 7, 2009 he made the decision to drink and drive–causing a fatal accident. Charged with aggravated manslaughter and sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison, Matt faced choices he never imagined possible.
Within hours after Victoria’s birth, Karen and her husband learned that their third daughter had Down Syndrome. Though initially frightened by this news, Karen and her family’s love for Victoria grew deeper as they recognized the awesome privilege of raising such a precious daughter.
In 2009, Debbie Kahler was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, a disease that strikes fear in the hearts of anyone familiar with its deadly prognosis. Most people would respond with despair to such tragic losses, tempted to give in to the fear of losing their own battles. Yet that is not the message of Debbie’s journey.
Our western culture encourages us to embrace and encourage same sex attraction as normal, appropriate and just as “right” as any other sexual relationship. But is it? In this transparent interview, Sharon Betters talks with Donna and her counselor, Ellen Dykas about Donna’s struggles with same sex attraction.
In this transparent and sometimes emotional interview, Dr. Chuck F. Betters talks with three men and their counselor about their struggles with same sex attraction. No question was off limits and listeners will hear these men address such issues as how people who loved them treated them even though they disagreed with their life choices; how their churches responded; and ways they were hurt by people who claimed to be Christians.
In this transparent interview, Mike and Sherry share their story of help and hope, as they describe the impact of cancer on their children and marriage, the reaction of friends, and the practical implications of such a diagnosis. They also share practical suggestions for those just starting this cancer journey. Their story will not only encourage the cancer fighters, but will help equip those who love them to help find the right medical care and face the challenges of each day.
It’s an epidemic that knows no cultural, age, race, or financial boundaries. Why does an addict continue to use heroin when they know it’s destroying their life? Why is it so hard to break the chains of addiction? Is relapse a normal part of an addict’s journey? We ask these questions and more. It’s our desire that those who hear this interview will know there is hope in the darkest corners of addiction.
Suicide is a broad and deep issue that has many different contexts. Sometimes mental illness plays a role in suicide, but not always. In this transparent conversation, Jonathan’s parents share their son’s story of mental illness that didn’t show itself until he was in college.
The first thing Sharon did when she heard that diagnosis was to find a woman who had already traveled through the foreign land of cancer. As Sharon says, "I needed a guide - someone to help me navigate the maze of unknown terrain." It is Sharon's hope that through this interview she and her husband, Chuck, can come alongside you as you walk this new pathway. It is Chuck and Sharon's prayer that this message will be one more tool that equips you for the days ahead.




Dr. Chuck Betters talks to Jim Burns, author of Doing Life with Your Adult Children about some of the challenges for parents as they transition from parenting children to parenting young adults. Jim gives practical advice and hopeful encouragement for this tough yet rewarding transition.