The New Hope ministry came about after I (Peggy)went through the 40 Days of Purpose (total church participation) curriculum outlined in the book by Rick Warren, "The Purpose Driven Life." The chapters answer every question from, What On Earth Am I here for, to finally answering that question with, "You Were Made For A Mission (evangelism)." It dawned on me after finishing the book that I was wasting my experiences with mental illness...wasting in the sense that I had not told others how the Lord delivered my son from serious mental illness--schizoaffective disorder--a combination of schizophrenia and manic depression or bipolar disorder. Although my son is not totally healed, he is a functioning architect. This is highly unusual for someone with his diagnosis. The process of his healing is ongoing--and he still has to be delivered from alcoholism.

To get back to New Hope, the basic foundational principle of the New Hope care group is that Jesus is still in the healing business today. He healed every person who ever asked him, some immediately, and some gradually, and those that did not receive it did not believe it. Even if Jesus does not heal (which He does) He is still the best physician for mental illness.

The first chapter of John tells us that all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. It is nothing for Him to put us back together, since he made us to begin with. The idea is to GIVE him the mental illness and leave it with him. As you go about each day, put on the whole armor of Christ, and remember that the helmet of salvation protects the mind. If we give the Master Carpenter ALL the pieces (mind, body and soul of the person), it takes a lot of pressure off us when it comes to fighting the disease. In faith we go on living, knowing that we are dealing with our mental illness, walking along with Jesus, and one day waking up totally healed. This is what New Hope is all about.

The way I started the group was to get permission from the pastor to add the New Hope Care group to the other care groups in our church. After the pastor heard my story, he was moved to let me proceed. However, my group is still in the very baby stages of growth, and I am beginning to see that it will take some work to get it started. Following is a rough outline of how I plan to begin a meeting:

I:Prayer and introduction. I introduce myself and my helper, Joyce, who worked with mentally ill people in the criminal justice system. As I go around the room, I address each person with a personal word and tell them I am gland they were able to come tonight. I then explain to the group that we believe in the healing ministry of Jesus, and the purpose of our group is to give personal support and prayer to individuals with mental illness issues, (as well as nonchristians, as the Lord leads. We believe that a salvation message must also be given for the nonchristians.) I stress that what is shared with the group will remain with the group, and that we must all agree to this.

II:Next, we go around the room introducing ourselves and telling our own personal story. As this is done, Joyce and I take notes, so as to pray for specific issues later on. As each person tells their story, Joyce and I silently pray that the Holy Spirit reveal to us or other member/members how to help our friend who is reaching out. At this point, open discussion begins, and much is learned and shared. Occasionally I will have a speaker address the group on topics of interest to the group.

III:Bible study. The Bible study is what we stand on for our comfort and healing, as we apply Biblical principles for mental wellness and daily living. It will be my responsibility to have a fresh study each month -- I have found some good studies on the internet. Our pastor also gives each care group a new book to read beginning in the fall. The last one we read was "If you want to walk on water, you have got to get out of the boat." It truly inspired me. We have a social worker on staff at our church, and she has offered to help me find literature and CDs on topics of interest for my group.

IV:Socialize and eat. Sometimes a dinner is prepared, pot luck, summertime barbecue, and sometimes just snacks and deserts.

In addition, I plan to have a party once in awhile just to fellowship and share life's challenges as we sit around the newly built fire pit in my back yard in the fall, or barbecue in summertime, etc.

TOTAL TIME:Three to three and a half hours, longer if needed.

Thanks for reading!! Peggy