Walking Love into Spaces: Clergy Tools for Loving and Retaining Congregants Facing Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges
Presenters: Jarmichael R. Harris, MS, LCAS – Director of Scholastic Recovery, Addiction Professionals of NC, & Justin Wright, CPSS – Love and Respect Community for Recovery
This engaging and practical training equips faith leaders and congregational teams with tools to welcome, connect with, and sustain support for individuals facing substance use, mental health challenges, trauma, or moral injury. Through a lens of radical love, empathy, and shared humanness, the presentation addresses:
- Overcoming access and inclusion barriers to bring people through the church doors
- Understanding the weight of shame, guilt, stigma, and addiction on human connection
- Applying asset-based approaches, trauma sensitivity, and interfaith collaboration when formal resources are limited
- Practical steps for sustaining support when clergy and ministries are stretched thin
By combining neuroscience, biblical principles, and real-world application, presenters guide participants in transforming their congregations into spaces where everyone, regardless of background or struggle, can experience belonging, grace, and growth. This is not just a training; it’s a call to walk love into every space we lead.
NOTICE: Attendance is limited to thirty-five (35) participants. After your registration is processed, you will receive a confirmation email notifying you whether you have secured a seat or have been placed on the waitlist. The waitlist will be updated daily, and all seat confirmations will be finalized by Friday, June 13, 2025.
