Frequently Asked Questions

Reclaim Ministries is a South African peer support ministry for same-sex attracted (SSA) Christians who hold to the historic Christian understanding of sexuality and marriage. We offer community, honest conversation, and a space to be known — without having to hide.

We exist because the church has often left SSA Christians to carry this alone. We believe that is not how the Christian life is meant to work.

Reclaim was founded by Richard Slabbert, a same-sex attracted Christian based in Somerset West in the Western Cape. Richard is not a pastor or counsellor — he is a software developer who founded this ministry out of his own experience, and a desire to offer others what he himself once needed.

You can read more about Richard and his story on the About page and in his personal blog post.

No. Reclaim is not a counselling service, and Richard is not a counsellor. What we offer is peer support — honest, confidential conversation with someone who understands this experience from the inside.

If professional support would be helpful, we are happy to help point you toward a counsellor who understands both faith and sexuality. But that is not what we provide directly.

No — and we want to be unambiguous about this. We do not promote conversion therapy in any form, and we believe it is harmful. Reclaim does not attempt to change anyone's attractions, and we do not promise that same-sex attraction will go away.

What we do is walk alongside people as they seek to live faithfully with their experience of attraction as it is. That is a very different thing.

Reclaim is not officially affiliated with any church or denomination. Our founder Richard is a member of Christ Church Somerset West, a REACH SA (Reformed Evangelical Anglican) congregation, but people from across the denominational spectrum are welcome.

Sessions are informal, confidential conversations with no set programme or agenda. It is simply honest, Christ-centred discussion among people who share a common experience and a common commitment.

Topics range widely — faith, loneliness, relationships, practical questions, theology, day-to-day life. There is no pressure to share more than you are comfortable with, especially early on.

The group is primarily for SSA Christians who hold to traditional biblical convictions — the historic Christian understanding of marriage as between one man and one woman.

If you are still working through what you believe, you are welcome to reach out and have a conversation first. We can work out together whether the group is the right fit for where you are.

The group meets online every fortnight by video call. It is kept small — typically between four and eight people — to allow for genuine depth of relationship and trust.

Everything discussed in the group is strictly confidential.

Yes, completely. What is shared in the group stays in the group. This is a non-negotiable commitment for all members. We understand that this is not a conversation most people are having openly, and we take that seriously.

No. There is no cost to join or participate in any of what Reclaim offers.

No. You do not need to have everything worked out before you reach out. The group is for people who broadly hold to traditional biblical convictions, but that does not mean you need to have all the answers.

We are a community of people walking a path together, not an organisation that requires you to pass a theological exam before you are welcome.

You are welcome to reach out and have a conversation. We are happy to talk with anyone who is genuinely exploring these questions.

That said, our support group is primarily designed for people who are committed to living faithfully within traditional biblical ethics. If you are still working that out, we can talk honestly about whether the group is the right fit and what other support might be helpful.

Yes. Richard is happy to have a conversation with pastors who want to better understand how to support SSA members in their congregations. Our blog post "A Pastor's Guide to Walking with SSA Members" is also a helpful starting point.

There is no cost and no formal programme — just an honest conversation with someone who has thought carefully about this from the inside.

Yes. If your child has come out to you and you are trying to understand what faithful, loving support looks like, we are here to help.

Our blog post "When Your Child Comes Out: A Christian Parent's Response" may be a helpful starting point. And if you would like to talk, Richard is happy to have that conversation with you.

Our group is primarily for South Africans, and we would always encourage people to seek out a local or regional ministry first. True Freedom Trust (UK) and Living Out are both excellent resources.

That said, if you are in a part of the world where there is genuinely no local support available, we are willing to have a conversation and see how we can help.

Your message will be read personally by Richard and treated with complete confidentiality. There is no pressure and no commitment — just a conversation to understand your situation and explain what we offer.

You do not have to join anything. You can take things at whatever pace feels right for you. Many people simply want to know someone understands — that is a perfectly valid reason to reach out.

Yes. You are welcome to reach out without sharing your full name. We understand that this is a sensitive area and that anonymity may feel important, especially early on.

We will never share your details with anyone.