Q1. What inspired you to start Christianity Haven, and how did the idea for the forum first come about?
I had been an administrator on a very large Christian forum for a long time, but I was eventually fired for sticking up for another staff member. That experience really changed my perspective — I started seeing things through the eyes of regular members. At that point, I felt that another Christian forum might be exactly what people needed.

Q2. Can you share a bit about your journey with online community building before Christianity Haven?
I don’t actually own Christianity Haven. I run the forum on the front end, while the owner handles all the back-end and technical work. I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to setting up forums from the ground up. What I do know is how I want things laid out and what the rules should be — and that’s where my focus has always been.

Q3. What role does your personal faith play in how you run and shape the community?
My faith teaches me to balance discipline with grace. If a member is breaking rules without remorse, I’ll lay down the law. But for first-time offenders, I try to show leniency. I give a lot of grace — sometimes to people who probably don’t deserve it — and it takes quite a lot for me to ban someone. My goal is repentance and growth, not punishment.

Q4. What is one of your proudest accomplishments since launching the forum?
Reaching 10 years, without a doubt. There were moments when the forum looked completely dead, and I honestly didn’t think we’d make it. The fact that we’re still here is something I’m incredibly proud of.

Q5. How would you describe the mission or purpose of Christianity Haven?
The mission is to provide a place where people can talk about their faith and grow in God’s Word. Many people want a safe space without excessive swearing or sexual talk, which is common on general forums. Even though we have general discussion areas, we maintain strict behavior rules to keep the environment respectful.

Q6. What have been the biggest challenges in running a faith-based online community?
One of the biggest challenges is getting lurkers to actually sign up. We also deal with trolls who come in just to tell us we’re wrong — and a few individuals who believe they’re God and have even threatened me. Those situations can be difficult to manage.

Q7. What qualities do you look for in moderators or community leaders?
I’m not technically the owner, even though I often refer to it as “my forum” since I asked for it to be built. When it comes to moderators, trust is the most important quality. We chose people we already knew from another large Christian forum, and that worked well. We don’t need many moderators — one has been enough for us.

Q8. How do you balance spiritual discussions with general fellowship on the forum?
Some members come strictly for theology, while others are there for fellowship. I think we’ve found a balance that suits the needs of our particular community.

Q9. Are there any current discussions or projects on the forum you’re especially excited about?
Yes — I’m finishing a thread I started back in 2022. I honestly forgot about it until an outsider contacted us about a broken link. The thread focuses on supporting pregnant women and showing them that abortion isn’t their only option.
A personal friend of mine is starting a charity that provides diapers, formula, clothes, and other essentials, and she really inspired me to continue the thread. I’m creating a resource list for every U.S. state with organizations that help pregnant women and parents. Women don’t need to terminate their babies — they need better access to information and support.

Q10. How do you handle disagreements or conflicts between members?
I’ve been told I’m very honest and fair. I listen to both sides and try to mediate. Most conflicts come down to name-calling, which is the biggest rule violation on the site. The “he started it first” excuse gets old quickly. Members are expected to speak to each other as if they were speaking to Christ Himself — with respect.

Q11. Do you have any long-term goals for Christianity Haven?
Nothing major — just to keep plugging along. Sometimes it’s difficult coming up with new conversation topics, but longevity itself is a goal.

Q12. What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own faith-based forum?
It’s very hard to get members. I’d actually encourage people to join and support smaller forums instead of starting new ones, and help them grow so God’s Word can be shared more effectively.

Q13. What’s something about you outside of running the forum that members might find interesting?
I’m an artist. I’ve done ink drawings for my last two churches that they use for various purposes. My current church uses my artwork on their bulletins and website, which is really special to me.

Q14. How has running a Christian forum impacted your own spiritual life?
Seeing different perspectives has helped me a lot in my daily life. People often share viewpoints I hadn’t considered before, and that’s been spiritually enriching.

Q15. If you could improve one thing about online Christian communities in general, what would it be?
I’d encourage more women to speak openly about their faith. Christian forums tend to be dominated by men discussing theology because women are often afraid they’re “teaching men,” which Scripture warns against. But the Bible also tells us to share the Gospel. Forums aren’t churches, and women often come seeking fellowship rather than theology — and that should be encouraged.