Breaking Barriers | Mary Kay Pierce {S8 E4}
In today’s episode, we continue talking about the barriers we encounter to growing in, and through, the Word of God. Today, Jillian sits down with a very special guest-- her mom, Mary Kay Pierce. Mary Kay works at a non-profit agency, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in Richland County. She shares wisdom on the topic of mental health, and how it can be a barrier when approaching God’s Word. Mary Kay offers encouragement and personal experiences as a person who both struggles and leads others to lean into Jesus when dealing with mental health issues. We pray her words will be of great encouragement to you!
““When those struggles come, and they will for all our lives, that we can pull up the Word of God and find those scriptures… and know that Christ will always be with us. The Lord’s always with us.””
Mary Kay wants to live in a world where all people know their life is valuable and that they matter to God and others! When she's not working, you can find her spending time with her husband, kids, grandkids, and church family.
Her favorite scripture is found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
On this episode, Jillian and Mary Kay refer to the following references and resources:
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
Luke 10:25-37: Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan
Mental health resources and ministry by Kay Warren
Mark 2:1-11: Jesus heals the paralytic
Podcast Navigation
1:50 Meet Mary Kay
4:30 How could mental health be a barrier when it comes to approaching the Word of God?
8:45 What professional experience do you have in helping those affected by mental illness grow in their walks?
15:00 How can someone know that another person needs help?
17:30 How can the Church assist those struggling with mental health?
19:53 What ministries are currently serving those with mental health needs?
22:40 What can mental health professionals do to serve within the Church?
28:15 Final Thoughts & Closing Encouragement
*Reference Disclaimer: All references made by podcast guests are of their own accord. The inclusion of references and resources by guests on the podcast does not equate to an endorsement of those resources from Dayton Women in the Word.