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Family Honor Presenter Chris Courson
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Like many of the men and women who have become presenters in Family Honor parent-child chastity programs, Chris Courson was recruited by the organization’s founder, Ann Nerbun.
Chris lives in Sumter, South Carolina, which is where Family Honor began. A number of years ago, Chris was going to Ann for Natural Family Planning instruction and at one point she remembers that Ann – who was also the Executive Director of Family Honor at the time – suggested she might want to consider taking the Family Honor presenter training course, which was then titled The Principles of Teaching Human Sexuality.
Chris, a graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Psychology, remarked “I’ve always been interested in learning … and this [the Family Honor course] seemed like such truth! It’s always been fun to present the truth in an enjoyable and understandable way. I cherish that.” She continued, “Plus, my parents and I always had a very healthy relationship when I was growing up and this course was a natural progression; it was how I could start to share good values with others.”
Since first taking the Family Honor presenter training class 15 years ago, Chris has gotten a lot busier.
Chris and her husband, Keith, found out about the time she completed the course that they were expecting their first child. Now, as a married mom of six – Joy, 14; Ethan, 12; Emily, 9; Jonathan, 7; Holden, 4; and Jabin, 2 ½ - Chris has experienced first hand how Family Honor has helped her and her husband feel more confident in raising their children.
“Family Honor has given me an ability to nurture my children in the way they should go, in a way that I don’t feel panicked and hopeless. I don’t feel I’m flying by the seat of my pants. I feel prepared,” she emphasized. “I understand that to have a child argue against his or her parents’ beliefs is not necessarily a bad thing, because if that child is honestly wrestling with it, then that child is much more likely to own it. Thus, I am able to answer their questions calmly!”
And how has Family Honor impacted other areas of her life?
“I think it has helped me in the area of self-esteem and also as an outlet.” Chris indicated that, as a mother of six children if various ages, “It has been wonderful to have other adults to have real conversations with. And it has been really healthy for me. I think I’m a better wife and mother than I would be without it!”
“My husband, Keith, has been able to attend two Family Honor programs, Leading & Loving, which is the parent-only program and then also Changes & Challenges, with our daughter, Joy, when she took it. Keith has been very supportive and thinks it is important work and that makes it possible for me to present programs several times a year.”
Chris, who is Presbyterian, also reflected on her experience presenting Family Honor curricula that is, in part, grounded in Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. "I had never been exposed to any Catholic teaching before. But theology of the body made sense to me."
As a seasoned presenter, she also has some observations about the presenters that are joining Family Honor each year. “I am impressed by our new presenters’ dedication and energy. They are so professional! I guess what I see most is their passion. And I really enjoy seeing the husband and wife couples working together as presenters.”
Chris spoke of the importance of Family Honor's programs for families. “One of the things that I firmly believe is that I’m fighting abortion when I teach Family Honor. I’m pro-actively fighting for healthy families and healthy adolescents.” She went on to add “And I almost always hear a parent say, at virtually every program, ‘I wish this had been around when I was a kid’.”
When asked what she sees for herself and her family in the years to come, Chris doesn’t hesitate.
"I plan to continue teaching for Family Honor, and I would love to see all of my children in turn become Teen Presenters for Family Honor. What fun to share this important part of my life with them! What an 'equipping' this has been for me, and I am confident it would be for them, too."
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