A Personal Note from Tommy Hays & Tricia Hays

Dear Friends, Many have been praying and asking about the painful time of transition in my personal life and marriage. Rather than continuing to simply speak with people personally as the topic comes up, I feel it would be appropriate to also send out this general update. I’m including a note below that Tricia wrote expressing her viewpoint as well. Though she tends to be as deeply private as I am openly public, she wanted people to accurately hear her own words instead of making assumptions. We’ve been married for twelve years and have two sons. Though our greatly varied personalities and perspectives have made most of our marriage difficult and challenging, we have put much effort and prayer into it, with both of us receiving various ministry, prayer, and counseling at times. In May, 2009 Tricia chose to begin the process of separation and moved out of our house, with us both sharing responsibility for our boys. She later filed papers for a divorce, which was finalized in December, 2009. Tricia and I disagree about whether divorce is the right answer to our problems. This is not my desire or choice, but it is the choice that has been made. We continue to respect and love one another, seeking to provide a healthy atmosphere for our boys, even though our marriage has ended and we are moving forward into the next season of our lives with God’s help and grace. -- Tommy Hays From Tricia Hays: The decision to end my marriage to Tommy Hays was a painful and difficult choice to make. I made the decision based on personal reasons that pertain to our own personal relationship to one another. There were no immoral indiscretions by either one of us. Neither did my decision have anything to do with any overemphasis on ministry or Tommy’s traveling schedule. While we were married, I fully supported him in his travels in ministry and continue to support and encourage him in the ministry I believe God called him to devote his life to. We are committed to having a positive relationship with one another and as we raise our sons together. -- Tricia Hays We thank you for your concern and prayers for us and our children. Many will be deeply disappointed by this news and it is painful to have to share it with you. But we wanted you to know. -- Tommy Hays and Tricia Hays March 10, 2010