Episode 308: Partnering with Empty Nesters with Chris Sasser

In this episode, Nick sits down with Chris Sasser to talk about a group that often gets overlooked in family ministry: parents of adult children. Chris shares how a hallway conversation with hurting parents at Port City Community Church led to the creation of Hopeful Parents—a ministry designed to support moms and dads navigating broken relationships, prodigal kids, faith struggles, and the emotional complexity of parenting in the empty-nest years.Chris and Nick explore why churches need to think beyond parenting kids and teenagers, how to create meaningful community for parents of adult children, and what it looks like to offer hope, care, and connection in one of the hardest seasons of family life.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and Chris Sasser’s return to the podcast01:06 – Chris shares an update on Port City Community Church and the Parent Network03:42 – Why partnering with parents looks different in every church context06:25 – The importance of having someone champion parent ministry08:29 – The story that sparked Port City’s ministry to parents of adult children10:53 – Launching Hopeful Parents and the unexpected response from families12:52 – Why parents of adult children often carry hidden pain and uncertainty16:10 – Helping parents shift from parenting a child to relating adult-to-adult18:56 – Stories of grief, healing, and hope from parents walking through loss and prodigal seasons20:26 – How marriage, in-laws, and changing family dynamics affect parent-adult child relationships22:25 – What Hopeful Parents gatherings actually look like in practice24:49 – Why community and vulnerability are the real catalysts for healing26:28 – Chris shares resources for parents and church leaders, including Bags and the Parent Network27:55 – Final encouragement for churches to care for empty nesters and parents of adult children