My Story

With joy and confidence taken from her at a young age, she wondered if Jesus loved her. Hurt became her closest friend. Convinced she was an outcast and would not amount to anything, she quit trying to fit in-and lost all hope of having a fulfilling life.

A Story of God's Unconditional Love

As a teenager she rebelled against authority and societal norms. Fighting to not give up, she struggled with low self-esteem, alcohol abuse, and fear of speaking. At age 18 Furman married her husband Jim, and within the first three years of marriage, they had three children. Life became overwhelming. A horrific accident and two failed marriages deepened her sense of confusion and unworthiness. She divorced Jim twice, but he felt called by God to pray for her and wait for her to come home. As a result, he committed to love her the way Jesus loves her-unconditionally.

Reverend Barbara Rose Furman lives in Cedar Rapids, lowa. Along with her children, she has eight grandchildren and five great-granddaughters. She graduated from lowa Valley Hign School in Marengo, lowa. Later she attended Mount Mercy College and earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. 

Furman furthered her education by acquiring a Master of Divinity degree with a Concentration in Counseling from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She is ordained in the United Methodist Church. As a minister who has known numerous challenges, Reverend Furman was pastor to the incarcerated and former offenders, the poor and the homeless, and the Church. It is Well with My Soul-My Story, shares her life's journey, including breast cancer and her most recent battle: a rare and debilitating autoimmune disorder-NMOSD. This is her story