Back by popular demand, Transform Ideas: Awakening the Church to Mental Health is coming to St. Cloud!

Awakening the Church to Mental Health

A Faith Filled Response to Mental Illness and Recovery

This Transform Ideas forum will address the calling of the Church to care for people and their families who are struggling with common mental health concerns. 

We will explore the physiological and spiritual aspects of mental and emotional health.  Experts will discuss the role of medical intervention alongside prayer and scripture, and ways to diminish the stigma associated with mental illness.

Come hear courageous personal stories of lives deeply affected by mental illness, and learn how the Church can best offer hope and support to someone with mental health issues.

This is event is free for the public; registration is required.

SPEAKERS

Sarah Gross | Nystrom & Associates

Sarah Gross, MSW, LICSW serves as the Executive Director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Program of Nystrom and Associates, a Christian counseling agency in the Twin Cities. She oversees over 75 therapists and hundreds of clients. She has been active in social service and mental health work in the Twin Cities for twenty years. Sarah also serves as an elder of Bethel Christian Fellowship in St. Paul, MN where her husband also serves as an elder and the associate pastor. She has a passion for the emotional and spiritual growth of all people starting with the people of God. She lives in St. Paul and is happily married to her husband of 19 years and her three wonderful children ages 12-17.

Pastor Ned Eerdmans | CrossRoads Church

Ned is a graduate of Bethel Theological Seminary and has been working in churches for 31 years.  Ned has always been known as an “old soul,” but since his last birthday, he fits the part for real.  Ned has served as pastor in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota and currently serves at Crossroads Church in Fergus Falls, MN.  Ned coaches pastors for Converge North Central and occasionally speaks on how to understand, manage and enjoy the role of pastor while still being yourself.

Brandon Jensen | The Center for Family Counseling

Brandon Jensen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Permanency and Adoption Competency Certified (PACC), Adjunct Professor at Saint Cloud State University for the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program, and a Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor. Brandon has a personal passion for adoption and seeing families grow in a way that creates generational positive change. Brandon currently works in an outpatient mental health clinic providing mental health services for individuals, couples, and families. Brandon has also provided support services and staff trainings for local schools in Central Minnesota on strategies to better support and manage behavioral difficulties with adoptive children and families.