About the Co-Creators

Journey Into Manhood was originated by Rich Wyler and co-developed by Rich Wyler and David Matheson. Both men had personally experienced significant change from unwanted homosexuality earlier in their lives (see their stories). Rich is founder and executive director of People Can Change and a certified life coach. David is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice.

(See the People Can Change blog for a personal account of the founding of PCC and the development of Journey Into Manhood.)

About the Staff

Journey Into Manhood is staffed by about 20 men who volunteer their time because they care deeply about supporting men's healing and personal growth.

Most of the staff have overcome a past homosexual struggle themselves. Some are men who have always been heterosexual but have significant experience mentoring SSA men or facilitating men's emotional healing work generally.

Staff members either are not professional therapists or are not serving in that professional capacity in the course of the weekend.

About the Participants

All are men at least 18 years old who are actively working to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction. The maximum number of participants per event is 32.

Since the first Journey Into Manhood in January 2002, more than 1,400 men from more than 40 U.S. states and 30 countries have been through the program.

Typically, they range in age from their early 20s to late 40s, but men in their late teens to their 50's and 60's also participate.

Usually, more than a third are married (often with children) and working to keep their marriages intact. Most (but not all) attendees are religious. Most are Christians (of every denominational variety), Jews and occasionally Muslims.

Most have struggled relatively secretly with unwanted same-sex attractions over a period of years. Some have been sexually active, but others have not. A minority were openly gay before opting to leave a gay lifestyle.