Juanita Rasmus was the co-pastor of a flourishing ministry alongside her husband Rudy, doing good work for the kingdom of God in and around Houston. But then one day she came face to face with a depressive episode that began a season of nearly three years' worth of dark nights of the soul. As she realized that her experience with depression was not merely a hardship to overcome, but an invitation to a new way of living, she began writing as a way to process what she was learning to become. In this engaging and honest conversation, Juanita shares her desire to help lessen the stigma of mental health issues and unpacks the years-long journey she took to bring her words to life. She also shares how it is that Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles Lawson, wrote the foreword to her book and why it is important to find publishers who value her voice.

About the Guest:

Juanita Campbell Rasmus is a speaker, writer, spiritual director, and contemplative. She copastors the St. John’s United Methodist Church in downtown Houston with her husband, Rudy. Juanita cofounded Bread of Life, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, with Rudy in 1992 and began serving meals to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's. Juanita most recently teamed up with Tina Knowles Lawson and Beyoncé to help 40,000 flood victims recover in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. Follow her on Twitter: @Pastor_Juanita.

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes/opportunities mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off Juanita's book Learning to Be.

About the Hosts:

Maila Kim is a marketing manager at IVP; she holds a B.A. in English Language & Literature and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Christian Formation & Ministry with a concentration in Bible & Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School. She enjoys photography, growing and caring for her plants, and listening to podcasts such as This American Life, Invisibilia, and Unlocking Us. Follow Maila on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Formerly an editor at IVP, Ed Gilbreath is currently an executive leader at Christianity Today; he earned his bachelor’s in communication arts from Judson University and a master’s in philosophy of history from Olivet Nazarene University. He is also the author of two IVP books: Reconciliation Blues and Birmingham Revolution. Ed loves listening to an eclectic mix of music, reading narrative nonfiction books on American history and pop culture, and taking long walks while listening to podcasts such as NPR’s How I Built This, The Daily, Pass the Mic, and CT’s Quick to Listen. Follow Ed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Credits:

Producer: Helen Lee

Sound Engineer: Jonathan Clauson

Music: “Staring at the Sun” by Gyom

Support the show

The Every Voice Now Podcast is on Instagram and Twitter (@everyvoicenow). Find out more about our show and IVP's Every Voice Now initiative at EveryVoiceNow.com.