Today is the last episode in the series on Mental Health for Mental Awareness Month. My guest is Pastor Brad Hoefs and this conversation is filled with ways that we, as Christians, can help those with mental illness. Get your pen and paper ready because if this is where your heart is, there are so many ways to help.
Brad has been a pastor since 1985. He is an international speaker and a mental health advocate who is passionate about coaching, inspiring, encouraging and empowering others with hope no matter what circumstance they may be facing.
He is best known as the founder and executive director of Fresh Hope, an international network of peer-to-peer Christian mental health support groups and resources.
Hoefs’ life took a dramatic turn in the spring of 1995 due to a manic episode which became public and ended his role as the senior pastor of one of the nation’s fastest-growing churches. At that time, the people of Community of Grace Lutheran Church surrounded the Hoefs family and provided a safe place for them to heal and find hope again as they found a way forward – a philosophy that has been at the core of the DNA of Fresh Hope for Mental Health since its conception.
Hoefs is the author of “Fresh Hope: Living Well in Spite of a Mental Health Diagnosis.” Upon seeing a need for more resources for those loving someone with a mental health diagnosis, he and his wife Donna co-authored a second book entitled, “Holding to Hope: Staying Sane While Loving Someone with a Mental Illness.” Brad hosts the Fresh Hope for Mental Health podcast, a weekly resource for individuals who have a mental health diagnosis.
Anchor Verse:
Hebrews 6:19
Connect with Pastor Brad:
https://pastorbrad.blog
Pastor Brad's Amazon Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Hoefs/e/B09DBPRDJL/ref=aufs_dp_mata_dsk
Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
www.mentalhealth.gov
**This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics! Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!
