The first episode of each month, we have a series-within-a-series, focusing on starting a ministry from the ground up. This first episode will help you develop the grit, the resolve to persevere through the frustration and challenges to serve your community more effectively. It is a hard and draining job, but well worth every heartache and struggle. Decide early in that you will persevere so you can be useful to your community when they need you most!

When someone is used to a lifestyle of trauma, it affects their physical and emotional development. This episode explains the differences between sympathetic nervous system dominance and parasympathetic dominance as well as typical behaviors to expect. As you serve those with a higher trauma background, often those in the poverty class but not always, you are more likely to see certain behaviors that can be labeled a problem but are really their brains attempt to provide a solution. Through today’s episode you will gain a deeper understanding of How our brains and our bodies rewire because of the trauma that we have experienced.

In today’s episode, Suzanne discusses what trauma means as well as the various types of trauma. Then, she introduces listeners to the ACEs survey and what that score can mean for you and your future.

How does anxiety affect the people you serve and how can you help? In this episode, Suzanne presents several practical ways you can respond both biblically and physically. Minister more effectively to those battling anxiety and panic attacks through the information you’ll learn in this episode.

How can giving financial gifts to the less fortunate be harmful?? Recognize the poverty mindset behind their material poverty or frustrate yourself when your sacrifice doesn’t magically fix their problems. Understand how a worldview of poverty is different from a lifestyle of material poverty. Learn ways to navigate around these obstacles so that you can serve your community more effectively.

This episode features an overview of how poverty mindset, and the church’s response, can damage relationships and harm those you seek to serve and also yourselves. Understand why people ask for help from you rather than helping themselves. Gain insight into learned helplessness and entitlement mentality. Learn tools to combat it in your ministry.