About Focus on the Parent

Focus on the Parent is offered by Character-Based Living, LLC. The name "Focus on the Parent" has a two-fold meaning. The first is for parents to pattern their parenting after God, their Heavenly Father, rather than any other role model or strategy. The second is to emphasize that the focus of parent training needs to begin with the parent rather than the child. It is our belief that if we can train the parent first using God as a role model then we can greatly impact the transmission of values and character to the children that God has placed in the care of His own children.

Our mission is to provide both parents and expectant parents with a foundation for the increased awareness of God, themselves and their values through personal assessments and individualized training so that they might optimize their efforts as they strive to demonstrate biblical love to their children. Our program is based on five foundational beliefs:

Parent training needs to focus on the parent's character and conduct first (Deuteronomy 6:6,7)
Parents need to learn to love children with the same kind of unconditional love that God has for them (Ephesians 5:1,2)
Children benefit when Parents are honest with themselves (Proverbs 20:7)
It is good for Parents to accurately assess themselves as they seek to honor God in their parenting (Psalm 139:23,24)
A healthy relationship with God is a prerequisite for effective Christian parenting. (John 13:8)

Focus on the Parent uses assessment and training to help parents look to their heavenly Father as a role model for their own parenting. The assessment comprises five components:

Three components help parents understand themselves:

Effect of personality on parenting.
Influence of your past on parenting.
Influence of present life circumstances on parenting.

And two components help parents align with the character and spirit of God in their parenting:

How to grow in the areas that God focuses on as a parent.
Parenting by the Spirit: The role of the fruit of the Spirit in parenting.

The first step that we recommend in parent training is the completion of the Character Reproduction Parenting Inventory. This instrument takes about twenty-five minutes to complete and will provide you with approximately 15 to 20 pages of assessment.

Character-Based Living Principals

Kevin Malarkey, M.A., P.C.C.
President

Kevin Malarkey and his wife Beth were married in 1995. They have three children, Alex born in 1998, Aaron born in 2000, and Grace born in 2002. Kevin lives in Lewis Center, Ohio, and has worked as a psychotherapist focusing primarily on Christian families since 1996. His academic background includes studies in clinical psychology, psychological assessment, and family counseling. Kevin has previous work experience developing educational programs, assessing psychological disorders, and counseling inner city youth and their families. His family enjoys spending time together playing board games, going to the zoo, finding new playgrounds, and exploring parks and recreational areas.

Terry Hofecker, B.S., M.A.T.S., M.Div., D.Min.
Senior Vice President, Operations & Strategy

Dr. Terry Hofecker and his wife Debbie were married in 1976. They have two children, Sarah born in 1982 and Benjamin born in 1984. Pastor Hofecker resides in Dublin, Ohio where he has worked as the Senior Pastor of Northwest Chapel since the founding of the congregation in 1985. Over 1600 members look to him for biblical teaching and personal example with regard to godly conduct and family life. He is active in his local community and has been a small business owner and community volunteer. As a volunteer Police Chaplain, he served with the Police Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at the World Trade Center Disaster Site in the fall of 2001. He spends summers in Israel doing archaeology and has served on the staff of five excavations in that country. He is presently the Project Administrator for the proposed excavations at Tel Gezer. His hobbies include hiking and mountain climbing and working on cars. He and his son also have a large collection of baseball cards.

John Sullivan, BS, MBA
Senior Vice President, Technology

John Sullivan and his wife Kelly were married in 1985. They have six children, Lauren born in 1988, Jennifer born in 1990, J. Michael born in 1993, Katherine born in 1995, Elizabeth born in 1997, and Rachel born in 2000. John and Kelly live in Marysville, Ohio, and currently own and operate a swimming pool services company. John is also involved with information technology and web development. He has over 25 years of experience in electronics and other technology businesses, and has held various technical, sales, product management, marketing, and management positions over that period. John and Kelly are homeschooling parents and are active in children’s ministries at their church. John, Kelly and their children enjoy various sports and camping.

"If we can train the parent first using God as a role model then we can greatly impact the transmission of values and character to the children that God has placed in the care of His own children."

It is our belief that one of the most important variables in the parenting “equation” is the one you have the most influence and control over—yourself.