Who We Are

A not-for-profit Christian organization that helps families troubled by the direction of a loved one heal and thrive.   

Our Vision

To see the lives of troubled families transformed so God can use them to ​comfort other families.

Our History

In 2004, Leslie and Jim Gunby founded the Waiting Room Ministry as a ministry of their church in Chandler, Arizona. It was born out of Leslie's need to connect with families who grieved like she did over the direction of a loved one. Initially called Out of the Dark and Into the Light, it described how Leslie felt after disclosing the news of her son's homosexuality, a secret held for five years. She was at a loss regarding how to love her son well while upholding a biblical worldview.
A few months after the first meeting, Leslie sensed God asking her to look at a dream He had given her a year prior. Reflecting on it, she recalled holding her son, who was about eight years old, just outside a hospital's family waiting area. The Spirit of the LORD came upon them, overwhelming both with indescribable joy and peace. She didn't understand all the implications of the vision/dream at the time but knew it held more significance than she could realize. This time God directed her to the physical aspects of the room. As she described it, she noticed something unusual: the chairs were empty. God impressed to her that He was aware and would bring families to fill those chairs. She knew the name of the group would change to Waiting Room.  
Shortly after the ministry started, Leslie and Jim moved to northern Arizona, and in 2006, they began an additional Waiting Room at their new church home.
The Labor of Love event was born in 2010, an annual intercessory day of prayer for lost loved ones. Families nationwide participate by submitting a prayer request and/or committing to pray for one of the requests for thirty minutes on Labor Day. 
Waiting Room Online was added in 2013 to connect families who lack community support via the Internet. These private groups provide an opportunity to share burdens and receive encouragement, knowing they have others who understand their journey and will pray for their lost loved ones.  
​Expanding the ministry to add Waiting Rooms for those impacted by various prodigal issues is a dream of Leslie and Jim. They realize that whatever families are facing, at the root, the grief is the same. Everyone needs comfort and hope when the journey is long and arduous.