Barbara Roberts had a powerful revelation of Jesus’ love in 1981 but for a long time had minimal biblical teaching and lingering confusion due to her former beliefs. She was sidetracked into other areas and did not get to church for nearly 14 years. Unaware that Christians should avoid marrying non-Christians, she married an unbeliever in 1989 and the couple had one daughter. The marriage gradually became abusive and she occasionally took refuge in a women’s shelter. In 1994 she left her husband and started attending church and Bible study. That was when she became a professing Christian. Child custody was contested but eventually awarded to Barbara, with the husband granted access.

After four years her separated husband made a profession of faith and they reconciled as a married couple. The abuse recurred and she separated for the last time in 1999, divorcing a few years after that.

In 2001 the stress in her household diminished markedly when access visits between father and daughter ceased.

She lives in Ballarat, Australia with her new husband James, who also suffered abuse in a former marriage.