HOPE FOR THE AGORA

Evan and Amanda discuss from Lacy's latest book, "Faith Like a Child" Embracing our lives as children of God.

Lacy serves as the Student Care Coordinator for the Renovaré Institute. She teaches classes on children’s spirituality and spiritual direction with children through the Companioning Center.

Terra McDaniel talks about lament, grief, mental wellness, best practices, and more.

Terra McDaniel is a spiritual director and author whose latest book, Hopeful Lament, offers Biblical and practical insight on journeying through grief. 

Sam Eaton talks about his own journey and struggles with suicide, how his faith brought him healing, and his ministry, Recklessly Alive. 

Sam Eaton is a speaker and author focused on building a world with zero suicides. 

Evan speaks with Bonnie Gallant, co-founder of Agora Network Ministries.

Listen as Bonnie discusses her journey as a caregiver to her husband Allan when he suffered a stroke and mental health breakdown.

Bonnie shares practical advice and insights as to how to take care of yourself and how others can help the caregiver.

WORTH ANOTHER LISTEN. This was one of our most listened-to podcasts so far on Hope for the Agora.

Trauma and the Christian’s Response

Guest Name: Dr. Heather Davediuk Gingrich

Guest Information: Dr. Heather Davediuk Gingrich is professor of counseling at Denver Seminary and a therapist in private practice. She is the author of several books and a leading expert in trauma, PTSD, and Complex PTSD.

Catherine talks about her story, her work as a coach, the nature of trauma, how churches and individuals can be agents of healing, and more.

Guest Information: Catherine Gillard is a life coach who helps people and groups achieve healing and breakthrough from trauma, grief, and pain.

Dr. Blackwood talks about anxiety and teens, his work as a coach and mental health professional, and the topic of resilience

Dr. Andrew Blackwood is a mental health professional, coach, and professional communicator

This podcast focuses on the value and necessity for a ministry like Agora Network Ministries to the local church. The team shares about personal journeys and professional care needed, and how Agora helps churches address the stigma and mental health needs in the church.

Guests are Allan &  Bonnie Gallant, Sue Montgomery, and Leah Jeffery. Allan and Bonnie started the ministry and Sue and Leah, both mental health professionals are on the Board of Directors.

SYNOPSIS: Dr. Hall talks about his new book, The Connected Self. What connection is, why it is important, how to foster deeper connection within the scope of the Christian life.

Dr. Todd Hall is professor of psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University.

Hiser shares how to cultivate resilience - what it is, best practices, etc.

Website: www.bethanydearbornhiser.com

Allan Gallant gives an update on what's been happening at Agora Network Ministries, especially during the pandemic, exciting developments and resources, as well as the upcoming Agora Academy.

Allan is the creator and Executive Director or Agora Network Ministries.

SYNOPSIS:

This episode is a conversation with Laura Bruno about her course offering through Agora Academy and the role of the church/faith in mental wellness.

Laura Bruno is a mental health therapist and instructor in Southern Ontario; she is a member of the Agora Network Ministries board and an instructor with Agora Academy.

LINKS:

Pastor Kevin Riley is pastor of Mount Baker Presbyterian Church in Concrete, Washington. In this episode, Pastor Kevin talks to Evan about his own journey from addiction to recovery and ministry, and how the church can engage with people on the margins, those struggling with addiction, on their journey to wellness.

Evan talks with Rev. Dr. Matt Reynolds about discipleship, what it is, how to engage greater discipleship in the church, and how it intersects with mental health.

Rev. Dr. Matt Reynolds is the president of Spirit and Truth and lead pastor of Stillwater Church in Ohio.

Lyn is an integrative wellness coach with Hope Wellness Services and is the author of Hope for the Hopeless: Freedom From Anxiety and Depression is Possible.

Bethany Dearborn Hiser is the director of soul care for Northwest Family Life, a network of therapists trained to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma. She is a bilingual social worker, chaplain, and pastoral advocate, and she is the author of From Burned Out to Beloved: Soul Care for Wounded Healers. She lives with her family in Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Mike Hutchings is Director of Education for Global Awakening. He is the author of Supernatural Freedom from the Captivity of Trauma, and is the founder and director of God Heals PTSD Foundation, a ministry that provides education, training, resources and awareness events that equip and educate to give treatment and restoration to those who have experienced trauma that continues to impact their present lives. He lives with his wife, Roxanne, in Pennsylvania.

Evan speaks with Rev. Dr. Stephen Rankin about spiritual maturity, discipleship and the relationship to our mental health.

ABOUT STEPHEN RANKIN:

Dr. Evan talks with Brett Ullman about his personal mental health journey, making the church more open to mental health conversations, best practices for family mental health, and more....

Brett says his writing and speaking focuses on "Connecting our ancient faith with our mental world."

You can access YouTube videos, books, and social media from his website.

Evan chats with Dr. Peter Bellini about his work in mental health and the church, his books and ministry.

Guest: Rev. Dr. Peter J. Bellini. He is the Associate Professor of Evangelization  in the Heisel Chair at United Theological Seminary. We discuss his books, his ministry, and mental wellness & the church.

Allan and Bonnie Gallant have a conversation with Evan Rohrs-Dodge, the new host of Hope For The Agora podcast.  Evan shares his heart and deep concerns for the mental wellness of all God's children.

Evan's Bio:

Join Allan, founder and Executive Director of Agora Network Ministries and Laura Howe the founder of Hope Made Strong ministry as they dialogue on what compassion fatigue is and how we can renew ourselves.  Understand that compassion fatigue is not a bad thing, it highlights the hazards of being a care giver.

Laura will be sharing a critical webinar on Thursday, February 25th at 7:00 called Finding hope in helping.  On this show page you can download her burnout and fatigue assessment.  A great tool to help you along your healing journey.

Webinar link - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-hope-in-helping-tickets-140127602431

email - laura@hopemadestrong.org

Surprisingly pastors are not too good with their own soul care.  Many pastors feel driven by the tyranny of ministry or everyone else’s urgency — or at least what they think is most urgent.  How we take care of our bodies and our mental and emotional state through healthy lifestyle is very important.  But, perhaps even more important is the condition of our soul.  Often the unresolved and unhealed wounds of our lives fester and infect everything soul allowing Jesus to bring healing into those wounds is crucial in daily disciple living.

Allen talks with Cathy Gates, Director of Thrive Ministries, a ministry to support pastors.

Allen and Chuck DeGroat have a focused conversation about what narcissism looks like in systems, particularly the church and the pain it causes.  Chuck DeGroat is Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary, Holland MI, and Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. He is an author (numerous books), speaker, consultant, and therapist.

Allen and Chuck DeGroat have a focused conversation about what narcissism looks like in a pastor or church leader.  Chuck DeGroat is Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary, Holland MI, and Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. He is an author (numerous books), speaker, consultant, and therapist. 

His book, When Narcissism Comes to Church is getting great reviews while the topic is a conversation that has been a long time coming.

In this episode Allan and Bonnie have a conversation with Laura Bruno about the correlation between fear and suicide. Laura is a registered psychotherapist whose work includes crisis intervention.  

Pastors struggle with suicide ideology just like other people who may be struggling with their mental health.  Allen has a conversation with Bart Campbell about the struggles pastors face in the church that also contribute to problems with their mental health and ways to deal with it.  Bart  has been working with people struggling with suicide and addictions for over 15 years.  He is part of the Agora Network Ministries team and leads our Suicide Prevention training and Healthy Self-Esteem workshops.  Our conversation went on for over an hour. This is PART 2 of that conversation.

Pastors struggle with suicide ideology just like other people who may be struggling with their mental health.  Allen has a conversation with Bart Campbell about the struggles pastors face in the church that also contribute to problems with their mental health and ways to deal with it.  Bart  has been working with people struggling with suicide and addictions for over 15 years.  He is part of the Agora Network Ministries team and leads our Suicide Prevention training and Healthy Self-Esteem workshops.  This conversation continues past our 30 minute episode and can be found as Part 2 in our podcast play list.

Allan and Bonnie talk about why Agora Network Ministries exists, how it began and their concerns for the church.  Agora Network ministries seeks to help the church deal with the stigma of mental health through EDUCATING, EQUIPPING  AND ENGAGING.  Be sure to check the website for information on events and resources for your church.