seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile,
and pray to the LORD on its behalf,
for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:7)
Here at Calvary we want to be faithful witnesses to
our neighbors. We want to see the good news of Jesus Christ extend beyond our
church walls. We live in a day when the aftereffects of the pandemic, social
isolation caused by technology, and other various manifestations of the effects
of the fall are confronting people of all walks and seasons of life. According
to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one out of five people experience
mental illness in a given year. There is a stigma attached to emotional and
mental illness, even in the church. However, the gospel is intimately connected
to the workings of the mind and heart.
The Lord is the One who renews the mind (Romans 12:2)
and restores the soul (Psalm 23:3). God has given His children “a spirit not of
fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). We have Jesus’
promise of peace (John 14:27) and rest (Matthew 11:28). How to best apply these
truths can be challenging in various situations. We hope that this upcoming
seminar will be a good introduction to thinking about matters of emotional and
mental health through the lens of the Bible.
On April 29th from 10am to 12pm we have invited
a trusted friend and Christian Psychologist with over 30 years of experience to
address the issue of Emotional and Mental Health. Dr. Philip Monroe is a
member of one of our sister churches, a graduate of both Westminster Seminary
and Wheaton College Graduate School and has been working with our own Dr. Diane
Langberg for over 20 years. The seminar is an outreach that will serve both
the church and those outside the church. Admission is free and the seminar
will be held in the fellowship hall. There is going to be an initial address to
the gathered group followed by a question-and-answer session afterwards.
This seminar provides an opportunity for us to invite
neighbors, family members and friends who
are struggling or want to know more about how they can help others. Postcard
invitations are available. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor
Angel Gomez at agomez@calvary-wg.org.
