Allen talks about how true discipleship takes us into the deeper woundings in our lives where Jesus can bring healing. Without this part of the discipleship journey we will encounter barriers to our walk with the Lord.

Working definition of discipleship

"Discipleship is helping people move from unbelief to belief in the power of the gospel in every area of life."

QUOTES:

Brene Brown

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

Henri Nouwen

Making one’s own wounds a source of healing, therefore, does not call for a sharing of superficial personal pains, but for a constant willingness to see one’s own pain and suffering as rising from the depth of the human condition that we all share.

LINKS:

Healing Care Canada

Agora Network Ministries

Allen talks with Dr. Steve Grcevich, founder and president of Key Ministry.

Key Ministry serves churches seeking to welcome individuals and families impacted by disability, mental illness and trauma, for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Through resources, training, and ongoing support, we help churches create environments where these individuals and families can know Christ. 

Dr. Grcevich is a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Author: Mental Health and the Church

Link: keyministry.org

Allen chats with Alicia Tooke who is working with Live Different traveling through Mexico and Dominican Republic as well as across Canada sharing her story of hope to youth.

Alicia is 22 years old and shares her story of mental health struggles and her path to healing. She grew up in an unstable home and her brother Matt took his own life when she was ten years old. In essence she grew into her grief. Listen to her journey so far.

Links:

Find out more about Live Different at the link below.

https://livedifferent.com

Alicia's song on Spotify: Listen to Your Heart

In today's episode Allen talks with Holly Stoodley about her story of depression and struggle that led her to become a Registered Social Worker. Her passion for her work and the Lord is a powerful reminder of how God walks with us in our struggles.

Holly Stoodley RSW, works as a counsellor at The Support Hub and on the Six Nations Reserve near Caledonia ON.

Dean Breton from Impactus Men's Ministry joins Allen to discuss the needs of men on their mental health journey. They discuss toxic masculinity and the struggles it brings in following Jesus as well as being honest about and receptive to support for their mental health.

Dean Breton is the president of Impactus (formerly Promise Keepers Canada).

Links:

impacts.org

instagram: impactusmen

Facebook: Impactus

Allen has a conversation with Andrew Blackwood aka Coach Drew, about mental health and especially supporting children's mental health. Coach Drew shares some practical and encouraging tips for parents.

Dr. Andrew L. Blackwood -- counsellor, psychotherapist, author.

Book: The Art of Genuine Apology on Amazon.ca

Website: coachdrew.ca

Bonnie Gallant shares the importance women caring for women and the need for the women's conference coming May 2,3.

Cultivate Women's Conference Link

The Puzzler's Podcast

Bonnie Gallant is the cofounder of Agora Network Ministries and co-author of The Beautiful Strokes of God.

Welcome to season 6 of Hope for the Agora Podcast.

Karen Kleine Deters shares her story of journeying with FND -- Functional Neurologic Disorder.

Functional neurologic disorder (FND) refers to a neurological condition caused by changes in how brain networks work, rather than changes in the structure of the brain itself, as seen in many other neurological disorders. Physical symptoms of FND are genuine but cannot be explained by changes in the brain structure. The exact cause of FND is unknown.

Resources:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Functional Neurological Disorder Information Page. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurological-disorder

Stone, J., Carson, A., & Sharpe, M. (2005). Functional symptoms and signs in neurology: assessment and diagnosis. *Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 76*(Suppl I), i2–i12. https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/suppl\_1/i2

Support & Awareness Organizations

FND Hope International – https://fndhope.org

The Functional Neurological Disorder Society (FNDS) – https://www.fndsociety.org

Mayo Clinic: Functional Neurological Disorder – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/conversion-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355197

Podscasts and stories

Neurology Podcast by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) – https://www.aan.com/podcast

FND Portal Podcast (FND Hope International) – https://fndhope.org/fnd-portal-podcast

Our podcast host, Allen Kleine Deters shares an intimate personal story of his mental health journey as he dealt with a broken marriage, bladder cancer, the challenges of ministry and more….

The quote Allen shares from a course he took, is attributed to Dr. Danjuma Gibson, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI.

Allen is the Pastor of Congregational Life at Northend Church in St. Catharines, ON.  He focuses on discipleship in everyday life, Life Groups, Pastoral Counselling and Spiritual Direction.

northendchurch.ca

Todd Bymoen has been on a journey for many years with Bipolar Disorder. Listen as he shares this true story of faith, perseverance, and being humbled time and time again.

The challenges have helped to grow his faith and relationship with others by teaching him to be vulnerable and trust God's will for his life.

Todd wrote about his journey in his book 11-09: Shedding Light on My Faith and Mental Health Journey.

Find it on Amazon