Anita Peterman

Care & Recovery Director

meet anita

I grew up in northern Indiana (Amish and lake country) in a large farm family.  At the age of five while in church, I realized that I needed Jesus in my life to restore relationship with God. Growing up I saw a lot of brokenness in my own family and other families around me. My cousin almost died from anorexia and through these experiences I developed a desire to see how faith in Christ could bring restoration to families and individuals who were hurting. I studied Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. I loved working in the university setting so much, that I stayed and did a Master’s degree in Counseling and Personnel Development.

While at Purdue, I met and married my husband of over 30 years, Bob. We graduated and I worked at Anderson University for several years in the counseling department, and student life.  Once again, brokenness in my own family (this time my own marriage) helped me to turn to Christ at a deeper level and see Him “bind up” my broken heart and marriage. Through spiritual community and relationship with God, our marriage healed, I healed from childhood sexual abuse, and Bob and I saw that Jesus still is about the work of restoration. This experience solidified my desire to see the church as a place where other’s can be brought to Christ for healing and restoration of broken hearts and relationships--hence, my passion for Care and Recovery Ministries.

Bob and I returned to Purdue and I worked on a Ph.D. in Professional Counseling completing 39 hours before going into a private practice as a Christian Counselor.  Ever since then most of my ministry has been focused on finding ways for the church to minister more effectively to those who are hurting.

I also have three grown children, love to pedal kayak, read, take walks and hikes and watch cheesy movies with happy endings.