Beloved arise

This Little Light of Mine - LGBTQ, Christianity, religious trauma, mental health

Wow... what a rollercoaster of year. As much as we love to pretend that we're in control of our lives, 2020 is definitely a year that proves that 'anything can happen'.

It isn't hard to look back on 2020 and say THANK GOODNESS THAT'S OVER. But have you taken the opportunity to look at what you've learned about yourself in the past 12 months? How have you grown as a human in the last year? And maybe even go as far as to think about what's made you proud of YOU in 2020.

Like most of us, 2020 has been full of ups and downs for me.

After a lifetime of hiding so many parts of my life, never did I think I would ever share so openly about religious trauma & spiritual abuse, mental health, addiction, suicide and so many of the developmental challenges that I've faced because I was born gay and grew up in the evangelical church.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for hearing me. Thank you for sharing some of your time to know me.

Isn't that what we're all searching for? To be heard. To be seen. To be known. To be loved.

As we close out the year I'd love for you to consider supporting Beloved Arise as they build a space that fights for queer youth of faith.

Beloved Arise is in the home stretch of their 'Build the Future' campaign and I'm here to publicly pledge my support and to ask you to consider the same.

How will your support be used?

• to build a weekly rhythm of inclusive youth group activities that can be access from around the world
• mental wellness programming, community service projects, spiritual programming and social gatherings... just like a church youth group... but one that affirms everyone
• creation of a BelovedArise app to create a SAFE space for youth to connect, have small groups and to access resources
• a new trauma informed mental wellness program designed to help LGBTQ+ youth overcome hopelessness, embrace their wholeness and flourish as young adults.

I know that 2020 has been a tough year for so many but I know and trust that support for Beloved Arise will not only help young adults flourish.

It will save lives.

So what about you? What's your 2020 wrap up look like? I'd love to hear some of the things that you've learned about yourself.

I'm looking forward to sharing my next story episode called 'Sweet Validation' with all of you on Thursday January 7th, 2021

Thank you again for all of your support, encouragement, love and community this year. 2020 has been a wild ride but as they say... the best is yet to come.

I hope you all have a safe and healthy New Year

You are loved.

James.