Time To Grow will be taking a short break, as we reflect on the first 6 episodes that we've heard so far. We'll be back in November with more insightful discussions about mental health. In the meantime, take care and be well.

Phil Knox is the author of Story Bearer: How to Share your Faith with Friends. He also now helps run missions with the Evangelical Alliance, after spending over a dozen years working with young adults during his time at Youth for Christ. In our conversation, we talk about the power of personal narrative and how they can transform the ways in which we relate to one another.

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Story Bearer - https://storybearer.com/

Evangelical Alliance - https://www.eauk.org/

NHS Mental health - website https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Dr. Rob Waller is a fellow at the royal college of psychiatrists, he's also studied medicine at Cambridge, holds a postgraduate degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is the author of many books, and is a director with both at NHS and with the Mind and Soul foundation; a group doing some really impressive work to help equip educate and encourage people around issues related to mental health. Today we discussed the shortfalls of our current conception of health, and what steps we can take to solve it.

"On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

Matthew 9:12

Mind and Soul UK - https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/

The Power of Belonging - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07G1ZWSS7/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

NHS Mental health website https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Cavan Wood, he’s the author of an extraordinary book called “Entertaining Angels: Living Well with Autism as a Family, in Society and in Church”

Fact: Autism affects not only the person, but the people with whom they come in contact. As an educator, and the father of an autistic child, Cavan is able to combine theory and practice in a way that can help us better understand and support those we know with this condition. Ultimately, it’s about recognising that every single one of us have been made in the image of God, which means, engaging with those who have a diagnoses should be primarily about creating communities where everyone is valued.

"But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 19:14

Entertaining Angels - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Entertaining-Angels-Living-Autism-Society/dp/1788930738

NHS Autism Info - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/

Hope Virgo is an author, an advocate, and, maybe most important – a new mum! Her bravery and resilience are exemplified throughout her work, which ranges from her advocacy of #DumpTheScales, a social movement helping push the needle on policy reform, to her most recent book; called, You Are Free, which serves as a guide for people everywhere attempting to navigate faith in the midst of life’s struggles.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

Change.org #DumpTheScales - https://www.change.org/p/eating-disorders-are-not-just-about-weight-dumpthescales

You Are Free - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Even-Dont-Feel-Like/dp/0281086141

NHS Mental Health Information - https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ 

Brian Heasley is a brilliant communicator and a genuine soul who just so happens to help lead an international organization called 24/7 prayer, where he serves as a global director. His most recent book “Be Still” is a simple guide to quiet time, which I believe can help serve as an antidote to the hectic times in which we live today.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

24-7 Prayer - https://www.24-7prayer.com/

Be Still - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Still-Simple-Guide-Quiet/dp/0281086338

NHS Mental Health Information - https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Ruth Rice is the founder and director of Renew Wellbeing, as well as the author of the book A-Z of Wellbeing. Renew is an organisation with the mission of bringing quiet spaces for contemplation and prayer into every church across England. On the show today, we talk about what it means to be well, and how the wider body of Christ can play a role in mental health.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Some resources:

https://www.renewwellbeing.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/personal-life/diet-and-health/a-z-of-wellbeing/?site_id=162595&adtype=pla&device=c&product_id=5617659&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0oyYBhDGARIsAMZEuMt75L9WsdL3ZKQQmE335cuR9HfvRuLery7CT_iOnCRF7dPu2-pnfg4aAppBEALw_wcB

What does it mean to be well? Join Toso Haruna, as he speaks with guests from all walks of life to discuss the parameters of wellbeing, from a paradigm of growth.

Learning to walk by faith, as we grow to look like Jesus.

Want to get in touch? Send an email to [email protected] with subject line “Time To Grow”.