CARE-Ready Life Coach Alum Impacting Homeless Youth in Her Community

CARE-Ready Coach Alum Dee Allen (center), 
at today's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

CARE-Ready Life Coach Alum, DaNatia Allen (Class of June 2021), is making a significant impact by opening the 1st Affordable Housing Building for young adults 18-24 years old. She is successfully reaching out to help homeless youth and young adults in her community.

See the article (below) written by Sedona Meadows

Published: 11:13 AM EST November 18, 2024 on FOX43 News 

The nonprofit, Thrive Housing Services, works with individuals and families as they transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing. 

HARRISBURG, Pa. — It’s Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week and one local nonprofit is bringing attention to a new opportunity for young adults who need assistance with permanent housing. 

Thrive Housing Services opened an affordable apartment building in Harrisburg on Monday for young adults aged 18-24 who are homeless or who are at risk of being homeless.

The organization provides housing and programs that “promote long-term success” while offering an environment where individuals and families can address issues that may have contributed to their homelessness and learn new skills necessary to support themselves. 

“We have life-skill classes, we have cooking classes, we have financial literacy which is extremely important to the stability of housing. We also provide opportunities for work-play balance,” said Executive Director Dee Allen. 

It's a 16-unit building that will provide housing for individuals as well as those who have children. 

"We can't prevent homelessness altogether, but we can at least provide a safe and affordable exit from homelessness. The opportunity for them to gain some skills, learn what they need to do and definitely support their housing stability,” Allen said. 

Some people are already moving into the new units but there are still some available. 

If you are a young adult who is in need of housing, you are encouraged to apply on Thrive Housing Services' website. A secretary will then follow up to schedule an interview with you. 

The organization is always looking for donations from the community, volunteers, as well as movers.

Access the original telecast and article at FOX43 News

Mental Health Advocates and CARE-Readiness Coaches Promote God's Process of Success

"We were leading while bleeding and hardly anyone knew," write the mental health advocates and CARE-Readiness coaches. "Eventually, we were forced to stop, rest, retreat and reset because Success is not only about what you will accomplish. Ultimately it’s about who you will become. "

In their life-impacting book, Rest, Retreats, Revival and Other Comedies,   subtitled You are Success in Process, Chris and Carol Green talk about the consequences for anyone who chases dreams without discernment, plans a future without God's wisdom, or neglects the stewardship of physical, mental and emotional wellness during and after life-altering critical incidents. They share how God's process eventually led them out of those traps and into healing, wholeness, and their true identity and purpose, which was rediscovered when they learned how to:

 

Rest in God and get out of the grind mindset; 

Retreat after devastating setbacks and disappointments; 

Revive and reset to come back out fighting again; and to be open, honest and humbled by the 

Comedy of Errors; the mistakes and bad decisions, upon which God extended mercy and grace.

"This book isn't for everyone," the Greens affirm, "It's for that person who is sick and tired of projecting a fake image of confidence and bravery, while masking their deep disappointment behind superficial spirituality.  It's for the person who is no longer looking for a typical self-help manual, filled with inspirational stories and motivational meditations. THIS is the book for that soul who is ready to challenge their core beliefs about why their life keeps going off the rails, to stop blaming 'the devil' for everything that goes wrong, and truly desires to finally break FREE from the unending cycles of dead-ends, defeat and discouragement.

We put ourselves out there, made ourselves vulnerable and accessible, and exposed our true authentic hearts; and when people took advantage of our kindness and compassion, or questioned our competency, motivations, loyalty and integrity, yes, we were taken aback, hurt, and offended (which we hate to admit), and it triggered our introvert instincts to just go home and close the door.

We reached our breaking points when the pressures and challenges began to affect our marriage; when they began to affect our physical and mental health; when insinuations and accusations from outside forces and entities, advanced far beyond mere words spoken against us, to actual intentional actions against us that had real life-impacting consequences.

So, we would retreat. And it would be complete pullback moments, cutting off almost everything and everyone (the guilty, the innocent, the perpetrators, and the by-standers). We were in survival mode, burnout and compassion fatigue. But even those triggered-withdrawal responses were part of our process.

We learned that you can't ignore the painful affects of crisis, fatigue or trauma by trying to press forward anyway, or by trying to be who and what others may need you to be for them. We had to rediscover who God actually always intended for us to be for Him."

From the Book's Foreword:

This book is a revelation on how to understand change. It lays out the truth about "process", as productive lives are always on a journey of constant growth and change. To stop growing and changing is to die. 

The Greens are top Searcherdemcians who are not afraid to take new paths to help lift and better humanity. They are not scared to be Searchers of a new way of doing things and because of this, they are fruitful.

They have gone through growth, death, and rebirth, while leading in a new philosophy of education for which the world is crying out. 

I've had the privilege of knowing and working with the Greens for nearly a decade.  I have observed their approach and can vouch for their genuineness and productivity. They have diligently worked, scraped, and sacrificed their way to top stages of influence.     

I say, "When all else fails, follow the fruit." Chris and Carol Green are good fruit and have produced tangible evidence and results of their life skills theory, "You are Success in Process." 

In this book, you are sure to find where you are "in your process."  You are sure to find your next step.  You will be encouraged and reassured that you are not alone in your journey.  You will find that you are "God's Success in Process." 

How refreshing is that?!

This is a riveting book that has inspired and impacted my life. 

You will already be succeeding by picking it up.

---Chancellor Michal P. Pitzl,    

United Graduate College and Seminary, Int’l

Available on Amazon Books

People Get Our Vote, But Only God Gets Our Hope

As we prepare for another round of elections, we offer no political opinions. We simply present the spiritual and moral issues that are identified in the Bible. Unfortunately, the issues and interpretations of morality, justice and equality have fallen on two different sides of the dominant political parties in America.

This dilemma causes many Believers to vote for a president who is a Democrat while others vote for Senators and Congressmen who are Republicans. Or they vote for a Republican president while others vote for Senators and Congressmen who are Democrats. This is why it’s so difficult to navigate through the political process in our country. It’s also the reason it’s so difficult to explain one’s choices to family, friends and colleagues.

I wrote the following words after Obama was elected president, and they still hold true after the elections of Trump and Biden. Here is what I wrote nearly sixteen years ago and it is incredibly amazing how it still applies to us today:

After we sent an email on the day of President Obama’s inauguration and quoted from the Bible that we are to pray for him, several pastors and leaders in this community, who opposed Obama, discontinued support and communication with this ministry and us. On the other side, friends and family who supported the new president took our email to mean that we were merely offering some form of insincere political patronizing.

We thought we were (and our intentions were) fulfilling our Pastoral leadership responsibility to bring our divided congregations together and to focus on the things that God desires to do in our nation. Our email had nothing to do with either endorsing or rejecting the President.

Here is what we sent out on January 21, 2009:

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers and intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone---for kings, and for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior." ---1 Timothy 2:1-3

Make no mistake about it; yesterday (the inauguration) was a profoundly significant day. We still don’t agree with some of President Obama’s policies and agendas. Many of them conflict with Biblical teachings. However, that still doesn’t change the fact that God will use anybody to accomplish what HE wants to do in a nation.

Where did we get the idea that a political leader MUST be someone who follows all of the principles of the Bible in order for God to use that person to accomplish His purpose and plan?

Again, we're not ignoring the agenda of any particular President. We’re actually acknowledging the sovereignty of God. As flawed as we are as human beings, it’s amazing that God chooses us to do anything in this life.

God called Nebuchadnezzar His servant even though he was the emperor that destroyed Jerusalem, killed thousands of people, and carried their best and brightest into exile. God chose him to execute judgment; therefore he was God’s servant (served God's purpose) even though he wasn’t a Godly man.

Political elections are about more than trying to get a scripture-quoting, Bible-toting candidate into Office. This is about getting synchronized with what God is doing in our lifetime in America. If America is under judgment, (and many Christian leaders believe it is) then God will set the person in place that needs to be there at the time of judgment, repentance, recovery or rebuilding.

So we’re going to stay focused on the bigger picture. It doesn’t matter so much who sits in the White House, State Capitol, or sits in the Congress. It still comes down to who is sitting in the Office of MY heart.

We'll close this week's newsletter with the lyrics of a song written by a dear mentor and friend more than 40 years ago.

If you want a brand new world, you gotta have brand new people.

If you want brand new people, we've gotta have a brand new life.

If you want a brand new life, you gotta have a brand new spirit.

If you want a brand new spirit, you gotta come to Jesus Christ!

- Dr. Myles Munroe

We encourage you to cast your vote, but do not cast your cares on a human being. A potential candidate will get our votes, but only GOD gets all our confidence.

Christopher G. Green 

Fruitful Life Educator and Community Servant

Chris and Carol Green Advocate for a Revolution in Hearts and Homes

As America and the world brace for another critical round of elections, Chris and Carol Green have reproduced an assembly of powerful prayers and purposeful strategies that can help families rebuild, restore and renew their hearts and homes in spite of the relentless challenges that they face everyday in these evil and perilous times. 

Chris and Carol write: 

Where do our families fit in the grand scheme of the emerging American Social and Political Revolution? 

We are caught in the cross-fires of economic, social, political, educational and religious wars; while standing on the brink of despair due to neighborhood crime, domestic violence, drug abuse and child trafficking; along with overwhelming outbreaks of mental illness, an epidemic of multiple STDs, the diminishing of parental rights, systemic racism, critical race theories, and an endless list of politically-correct agendas that are buried within current human service and education programs. 

This book, which was originally published in 2015, may surprise you because it does not offer a list of the many ways that traditional families can fight for their rights, freedoms or protection through rallies, politics, protest or marches. Instead, it is a marvelous diary of the same profound, God-ordained strategies and lessons, that have equipped and empowered believers for centuries; filled with the knowledge and wisdom to navigate these challenges from their own homefronts, literally. 

Over the span of three decades, the Greens have worked to convey a Kingdom-of-God-perspective regarding men, women, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, marriage and family, even though it pushes against a pervasive tsunami of 21st century views, perversions and philosophies that has been embraced by many in society.

"You don’t have to read through the chapters in any particular order," the Greens advise.  "Just allow God’s Spirit to lead you through the writings. We are certain that these life inserts will speak directly to your heart and build your faith as you seek God about your family's purpose and Kingdom destiny."

You might think of this book as a collection of the Green's most significant Kingdom downloads, because this compilation truly reveals the heart of God regarding family, and gives you precisely what you'll need to launch an internal revolution that will rebuild, restore and renew your heart and home. 

Available on Amazon Books at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7BLL6S1

Jane E. Green Legacy Scholarship Officially Launched

The Jane E. Green Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of a woman of God, wife, mother, and grandmother who was an undercover special force agent and soldier who impacted thousands throughout her life as a Bible teacher, and through her home-and-prayer-focused ministry.

​

She was one who never sought after or even needed the spotlight in order to run her race and complete her course in teaching the word of God and imparting wisdom for marriage and family relationships (married 70 years).

 

Together, she and her husband (James) served for decades in several ministry of helps roles in their various homes, neighborhoods, and local churches where they were members. Most notably, she made a profound impact on countless hundreds of children in the urban community through Child Evangelism Fellowship's Good News Clubs and Discipleship Programs; and they hosted a weekly prayer gathering for teenagers and young adults in their home.

​

In 1987, she helped pioneer the Metropolitan Christian Worship Center with her eldest son and daughter-in-love (Raphael and Brenda Green) where she served in various ministerial roles: Director of Altar Workers and Follow-up Ministries; Director of a ministry to senior women in the church; led the Christian Education Department; and completed her tenure as a staff pastoral advisor minister and staff teaching minister.

​

She earned associate degrees in Biblical Studies, Christian Education, and Christian Counseling at the Brooke's Bible Institute. Additionally she earned a degree as a licensed practical nurse - a field she loved and served in for more than a decade.

 

Her legacy is so profoundly simple. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…

She knew that people were trying to do the best they could with what they had; but her philosophy was,

“Let God give you the best that He has for you.”

She often said, “My only desire was for my children to know and love Jesus; and live their lives for Him.

I didn’t ask God to make them famous; my only prayer was that they would be faithful.” 

 

She had 7 children, 13 grand children, and 22 great-grandchildren.​

All of her children committed their lives to Christ at an early age, and as young adults, each of them entered the ministry or the marketplace with the same passion and focus as their mother.

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Tributes from her Family

​

She passed away in September of 2024, but we will continue to carry her name, cause and contributions through scholarships that will enable Believers to have access to solid and sound Biblical teaching, wisdom and instruction.

View Scholarship on the STEP Forward Life Institute HERE

Our Hearts Were Broken: 9/11 Anniversary Tribute

 

Our Hearts Were Broken

9/11 Anniversary Tribute (Originally Written 9/11/2011)

Ten years ago today our hearts were broken.

In horror we watched, no word could be spoken.

Time stopped, Could this be really happening?

My eyes can’t believe what I’m seeing.

Did the news flash really say what I'm hearing?

Sirens and screams in the background searing.

I cannot imagine what people are feeling.

As loved ones perish while thousands are fleeing.

Overwhelmed with grief, sickened by sorrow.

It’ll just be a nightmare when I wake up tomorrow.

How could something so evil be unleashed on the world?

Snatching the innocence of every boy and girl.

We’ll never forget the moment the second plane flew in.

The exclamation of the commentator,

"O my God, It happened again!"

And panic begin to set in as we learned

The terror plot wasn’t done,

Another plane had crashed into the Pentagon.

We’ll never forget the thoughts as we watched events unfold.

Is this the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies, foretold?

Is it just the random deed of some religious maniac?

Is it the start of world war three, is our nation under attack?

We’ll never forget the moment

When those towers came crashing down.

Our hearts were crumbling with it,

Knowing lives were being snuffed out.

I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry,

But I could only kneel down.

I prayed to God, 

In whom peace and solace could be found.

God alone can avenge the taking of innocent lives.

For the first responders who left behind

Grieving children, husbands and wives.

For the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters

Who faded away with no warning;

For the brothers and sisters

Who did not see the next day’s dawning.

It’s taken me ten years,

To put words on these thoughts.

Ten years of processing feelings

Of profound sadness and loss.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully express

What happened to us that day,

Except that I know we came to understand

The tears on God’s face!

For ions of time

He has watched mankind destroy one another.

He stepped in from the beginning

After one brother killed the other.

What religious view is so important

That so many lives need to be shattered?

What political agenda means so much

That nothing else matters?

America, America, 

God poured out His grace on Thee

As crying and wailing rang out 

From sea to shining sea.

Ten years ago our hearts were broken,

But I have to wonder somehow.

Where will we be within our hearts

Another ten years from now?

Chris Green, 9/11/2011

In addition, Chris Green wrote this song three days after the tragic events of 9/11/01. The lyrics are based upon the prophetic words of Jeremiah Chapter 5 (Will I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?). 

This song intends no disrespect to those who died and have suffered since that day.  However, it is a sobering message to people of Faith, that still resonates to this day.

This song is addressing the American Church and its responsibility to follow the life and mission of Jesus Christ in ministering to a nation in crisis.

Chris and Carol Green Launch Responding with CARE Podcasts

Chris and Carol commemorate their journey over the last 20 years by sharing lessons learned, and by interviewing some of the extraordinary people who have responded to their communities with CARE.

Click HERE to Access all podcasts at RESPONDING WITH CARE PODCAST

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Carol Green Earns Board-Certified Master Mental Health Coach Credential

 

Pennsylvania, USA ---- Carol Green officially became a Board-Certified Master Mental Health Coach (BCMMHC) upon completion of the mental health specialization program: Marriage and Family, administered by the American Association of Christian Counselors through Light University. She joins her husband (Chris) who earned his master certification in Februray of 2024.

“Many of our religious and civic leaders have been misinformed and still approach mental health issues from ignorance, stigma, fear, and very bad theology,” Carol and Chris explain.

Many still believe that all people need to do is just quote a scripture, say a prayer, and God will take care of the marital and family conflicts and challenges by miraculously injecting solutions and resolution into their relationships. But God says through Biblical text, that His people perish because of the lack of knowledge. In this aspect of our human experience, we suffer from debilitating ignorance.

In response to this errant mindset and theology, we just wanted to get educated, trained and empowered to address this crisis by learning from other, more knowledgeable and experienced Christian organizations and institutions who bring a balanced and holistic approach to helping individuals and families who are struggling with mental health challenges. We wanted to immerse ourselves in proper education, so that we could better understand the mental health crisis in our own families and communities."

This specialization program from the Dr. James Dobson Center for Marriage and Family Studies involved 42 hours of training and exams that prepares leaders to preserve and promote the institution of the family and the biblical principles on which it is based. It is focused on the training of a generation of leaders to stand in the gap and help strengthen today’s marriages and families.

Before taking on this Master course, Carol had already completed a 42-hour rigorous mental health training program that included:

 1.) First, the completion of a 14-hour course called Foundations of Mental Health Coaching - This introductory course was designed to provide students with an orientation to the field of mental health coaching. Topics covered included the role and scope of mental health coaching within the local church, ethical guidelines and professional standards in coaching, crisis intervention techniques, and the integration of faith and biblical wisdom in coaching.

 2.) Next, the completion of a 14-hour course called Mental Health Coaching Skills -The purpose of this course was to provide students with the fundamental theories and skills of Christ-centered mental health coaching. Key elements of the coaching process, included methods of change, listening, effective communication, giving hope, operating small groups, and counseling theory.

 3.) And finally, the completion of a 14-hour course called Mental and Behavioral Health Disorders - This course introduced students to the fundamentals of mental and behavioral health disorders. Particular emphasis was placed on factors that cause mental disorders, as well as conventional treatments. Conditions discussed included addiction, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Yes, that's a total of 84 hours of training and prepration. As a Board Certified Master Mental Health Coach, credentialed by the International Board of Christian Care   (IBCC), Carol has earned a voluntary global credential that trains and charges its recipients to maintain the highest clinical, ethical and biblical standards of practice.

“I'm very pleased to have earned this credential," Carol concluded. “Now my husband (Chris) and I are better prepared to assist people through our coaching business and ministry. We're also able to become a more successful connection and liaison between those who need help, and the very capable mental health professionals in our community. We are part of an army of mental health coaches that are being trained and deployed across the United States. It's a new day for those who have been suffering in silence in our families, neighborhoods, church pews, classrooms and corporate offices."

Chris and Carol Green are the creators of the CARE-Ready Life Coaching® model: Care-Readiness/ Training/ Certification, and the founders of the STEP Forward Life Institute™, an online community service preparatory platform. Through their business and school, they empower people to become the change they want to see, and to become the kind and caring light this world so desperately needs.

Chris and Carol Green Present Their CARE-Readiness Model to County's Human Service Agencies and Organizations

Pennsylvania, USA --- Community Life Coaches, Chris and Carol Green, were ‘spotlight’ presenters at the Dauphin County Systems of Care Community Partners monthly meeting.

Carol opened the presentation by reading an email from a young woman they had coached and mentored over 20 years ago. The woman had written to thank the Greens for the role they had played in her life. 

“Many of you have similar testimonials,” she told the meeting participants , “It’s because you have that passion for helping people.”

Chris explained the concept of CARE-Readiness with the analogy that some parcels and packages are labeled ‘Handle with Care.’ He then explained how they use the acronym CARE which means  Compassion/ Civility; Awareness/ Accountability; Respect; and Empathy.

He challenged the gathering with three questions:

1. Are you CARE-ready in your professional and personal life?
2. Would you like to be even more effective in your people connections?
3. Who handles you with CARE…. When you’re on the edge of burnout or compassion fatigue?

He explained the differences of coaching vs. mentoring, and coaching vs. counseling in order to clarify what it really means to provide life coaching or, at least, a coaching approach within case management and people-helping.

They also spoke on how CARE-readiness is instrumental for addressing burnout and compassion fatigue.

Chris and Carol Green’s Services and Training include:

Inspiration – Get Your Passion Back

Motivational and Encouraging Presentations

Books:

• Responding with CARE
• Processed for Success (Aftermath of Burnout & Compassion Fatigue)
• Rest, Retreats, Revival & Other Comedies (You are Success in Process)

Tools and Practical Application:

• Listen, Lift, Launch (Level 1) – CARE-Readiness
• Listen, Lift, Launch (Level 2) – CARE-Ready Coach Certification

Group Coaching (Building CARE Capacity):

• You are Success in Process
• What NOW (Navigating the Maze of Transition, Trials and Change)
• The Honor Role (For Men)
• Beyond the Resume
• Making It Work from the Inside Out (Emotional Intelligence: Christ Awareness)

Learn more about the Green's coaching and consulting business, as well as their Care-Ready Model and Training, on their website at   https://www.candcconnections.com/what-is-care-readiness

I Turn to My Father

To Honor Men on Father's Day

Originally recorded in October of 2000 at Metro Christian Worship Center in St. Louis, MO, this message features Chris Green speaking to men about finding their identity and purpose in Father God. 

This message also includes an original song titled I Turn to My Father. 

Bill collectors call my home. The debt was due today.

The boss says, “Get it done. I mean, right away.”

The school says, “Come get your son. He always fights when they play.”

How can I overcome? 

My wife will hide her pain. She feels so alone.

I've got to work some overtime; so again I won't be home.

“If you have an emergency, just call my cell phone.”

I'm always on the run. 

I turn to my Father when I'm tired of being the man.

For He knows my heart; sees all the struggles I’ve had.

I turned to my Father for His wisdom and help.

How can I be the man when I'm just a child myself? 

At work, I must be tough to get the job done.

At home, I must be soft and hold them in my arms.

Can't seem to find the balance of tender and strong,

Trying to drive in both lanes. 

Sometimes I want to cry when I'm feeling the strain,

But yielding to these feelings makes me weak in the game,

That old familiar motto will drive me insane:

When there's no pain, there's no gain. 

I turn to my Father when I'm tired of being the man.

For He knows my heart; sees all the struggles I’ve had.

I turned to my Father for His wisdom and help.

How can I be the man when I'm just a child myself? 

Life is so demanding; to be a husband, father and friend.

In His presence I'm standing; as a servant, a son and a man. 

I turn to my Father when I'm tired of being the man.

For He knows my heart; sees all the struggles I’ve had.

I turned to my Father for His wisdom and help.

How can I be a husband when I'm just a child myself?

How can I be a daddy when I'm just a child myself?

How can I be the man when I'm just a child myself?

Mental Health Awareness Month: Self Care Presentations

Self-Care Essentials: 

(RISE) Recognize, Implement, Serve, Empower (Part 1)

Self-Care Essentials: 

(RISE) Recognize, Implement, Serve, Empower (Part 2)

Contact Amethyst Roberson for resources and courses at

https://www.coachingcareconnections.com/ 

As many of you already know, the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Tonight we held the second of two sessions with Licensed Professional Counselor and Master Life Coach/ Trainer, Amethyst Roberson.

God gave my wife and I a ministry of presence. What that means is that we have a ministry where we just come along side of people and we just try to be present with them; to sit with them, or walk with them through their trouble and pain. We don’t try to preach or give a lot of advice, or force feed them the answers and solutions for their life while they are in that mental or emotional state. 

It’s already a scientifically, medically, and psychologically proven reality that when people are in crisis, they don’t even have the full cognitive ability to receive a lot of teaching, preaching or well-intentioned advice, which is what most people try to do. 

In the aftermath of a critical incident or a traumatic event, what they need most is a comforting and consoling presence and a gentle word until they can get themselves together enough to begin figuring things out, like: what just happened to me?, and what do I need to do now?, and how do I face an unknown and unexpected future? And that process is a journey, and that journey doesn’t have a certain speed, or destination date. We have to be willing to take the journey with people, walking at their pace, and just be a ministry of presence. 

In no way are we dismissing the Word of God and the Power of God by bringing mental health support in on that process. We are seeking to operate in the wisdom of God. The Bible declares that He that wins souls is wise.

Please allow us to further explain why we do it this particular way.

Jesus Christ gave a parable about the different types of soil into which the seed of God’s word gets planted . We learn from that parable that the seed can go into stony soil, never even reach the soil, be plucked up before it can take root, or even be choked out after it starts to grow. So we’re not questioning the power and effectiveness of God’s word. That’s not the issue. The real issue is the condition of people's soil before the word comes to them.

So we employ a more holistic approach to helping people. We try to cooperate with God's wisdom to prepare soil; so that when the seed of God’s word comes into their life, there is a better chance that they can actually hear it and receive it.

So that’s why we invited Amethyst Roberson to step in and help us in the preparation of soil.

We’ve known Amethyst and her husband Hosea for many years; in fact, we were part of their wedding ceremony 14 years ago. We’ve known Amethyst over 30 years. We’ve watched her journey to earning her degrees in counseling, and we have often recruited her to help us in our efforts to provide some mental health awareness to our church and our leaders, long before "mental health" became a front and center topic in our world.

We also brought her onboard to talk to us about mental health awareness during the covid19 crisis, and since then we have collaborated and partnered together in the field of life coaching and life coach training.

Amethyst is more than qualified to address us on the challenges of maintaining good mental health. The past few months have been very traumatic for a lot of us in the Fruitful Life Community's Spiritual Wellness Support Group. We’ve experienced the loss of loved ones, mental and emotional crisis, spiritual crisis, and all kinds of traumatic events and occurrences that have had us reeling in the aftermath of a lot of serious incidents.

We realize there are a lot of people of faith who struggle to face and walk through the aftermath of critical incidents because they find themselves conflicted between their Faith confession and their disappointment, confusion, and the reality of what has happened and what is still happening. 

However, the Bible and our Faith doesn't minimize or ignore the reality of this conflict. The apostle Paul once wrote the following In 2 Cor. 1:8. He said, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our [tribulation] trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 

This is the same man who wrote: We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 

So we brought in Amethyst for these past two weeks to provide us the tools for navigating life in the aftermath of critical incidents.

She’s talked to us about: Self-Care Essentials: RISE 

RISE is her acronym for Recognize, Implement, Serve, Empower.

Her presentations taught us how to recognize our needs, implement practical strategies, serve our well-being, and we were empowered to face life's challenges with confidence and strength.

We invite you to join us in this journey to health and wholeness in every area of our lives.

--- Chris and Carol Green

             

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Chris and Carol Green Officiate Wedding

Ephrata, Pennsylvania, USA - Today, Chris and Carol Green officiated the Star Wars (May the 4th) themed wedding of John Thompson and Miranda Crawford. The sci-fi and fantasy adventure-loving couple was joined in holy matrimony after completing the Green’s We Made a PACT Pre-marital Coaching Course.

The course covered topics, tools and tips for Communication, Conflict and Commitment:

• Dialogue/ Communication Styles Assessment
• Ground rules for Marriage Conflict
• Communication Inhibitors, and 
• *Wellness in Marriage, which involved three subtopics:

1. Five Threats to Oneness in Marriage,
2. The Five Phases of Marriage Deterioration, and
3. Preventing Marriage Deterioration (The **Circles of Contentment) 

• The **Circles of Contentment topics:

1. Male Circle of Contentment (What does he need from me?)
2. Female Circle of Contentment (What does she need from me?) 

All of the premarital coaching was done from a Biblical perspective of marriage, as well as the 43-years of marriage life experience of the coaches.
 
“We were honored to be part of the marriage ceremony of this very special couple today,” the Greens commented. “They requested that we provide their pre-marital preparation and that we officiate their wedding as well. It was also very special because our son, Jon Green, was the best man.  They have shared a friendship and camaraderie that has continued from college until this very day.”

To learn more about the Green's Marriage Mentorship and Coaching visit

https://www.chrisandcarolgreen.com/marriage-enrichment-resiliency

*   Created by FamilyLife Today Ministry

** Created by Clarence and Ja'Ola Walker