Since it started in 1995 in Seoul, Korea, Duranno Father School (DFS) has conducted 8924 schools (as of March 2025) in 77 countries, 311 cities and 444,408 fathers have graduated from the program. I have attended quite a few of them and without fail, at every one of them, much tears were shed as wounded lives were healed, broken marriages restored and fractured family relationships were renewed. The testimonies that come out of these schools are so amazing that we can only give God the glory for how He is using DFS to restore lives, marriages and families all over the world.
I would like to remark on six distinctive features which in my opinion, makes DFS such an effective, transformational program:
Firstly, it is the dependence on God.
Months before the program, the facilitators and volunteers come together on a weekly basis, to pray for the participants and the different aspects of the school. Only God can bring about the miraculous transformations that we have witnessed time and again, through the DFS program; which is why much prayer is offered to the Lord before the start of any Father School.
Secondly, this is a global End-Time movement of God.
Family discipleship is in the heart of God and it is an end-time movement. God is turning the hearts of fathers to the children so that our world will not be cursed. This movement will continue to grow and bring transformation to fathers as well as to families all over the world.
The last verse in the last book of the Old Testament, Mal 4:6, reads “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Thirdly, the support of many passionate volunteers.
Every Father School program needs many volunteers to serve as table leaders, servers, worship, ushers, PA, photographer etc. When we started the 1st Malaysia English DFS in 2012, nearly 20 Koreans paid their own way to fly to Malaysia, sleep on floors and served the participants with much love, joy and gladness. Their sacrifice and joyful servanthood touched us so deeply and this passionate service is emulated and repeated at every DFS all over the world.
Fourthly, it is safe.
At DFS, the participants can share their struggles freely and find acceptance without being judged because all the facilitators and volunteers are past graduates who had gone through the program and know the challenges and failures of fatherhood. The participants could feel the unconditional acceptance and support from the volunteers and are therefore empowered to bring their personal struggles to the light.
Fifthly, the power of testimonies.
When a father is deeply touched and transformation happened to them and their marriages, they are very willing to go on stage to testify of God’s grace and goodness. Testimonies are a powerful way to embolden the fathers to participate in the Father School program and open their hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sixthly, the combination of spiritual, cognitive and affective learning.
The DFS program is well designed and has a wonderful variety of different forms of spiritual, cognitive and affective learning activities that include singing, hugging, confession, listening, watching, reflection, writing, praying and group activities. Our spirits, minds, hearts and emotions are involved which is significant to bring about transformation of the person.
May the Lord continue to use DFS to transform fathers and families all over the world. I wish Duranno Father School Malaysia, Happy 13th Anniversary!!!
Warmly,
Rev. Dr. Ron Hee
Pastor of New Life Restoration Centre Petaling Jaya & Advisor of DFS Malaysia.