I had the pleasure of meeting Matt Stanford for breakfast last week as I was passing through Waco. He’s a world-class neuroscientist currently doing some remarkable work examining at the impact of trauma on faith and spiritual development. I’m convinced that God is preparing to use Matt and his colleagues at Baylor and at Mental Health Grace Alliance to do some remarkable work in changing attitudes in the church toward people with mental illness.

Matt is a Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience and Biomedical Studies at Baylor University. Professionally he has worked with a variety of mentally ill and brain injured individuals.

He is the author of the Focus on the Family recommended resource, Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness (2008) and The Biology of Sin: Grace, Hope and Healing for Those Who Feel Trapped (2011). A fellow of the Association for Psychology Science (APS) his research on the interplay between psychology and faith has been featured nationally on radio talk shows, TV and publications such as USA Today and the New York Times, as well as news websites including Fox, MSNBC, Yahoo and US News & World Report.

He is the co-founder and director of Mental Health Grace Alliance (MHGA) where he continues to write, conduct training seminars and serve those affected by mental illness and their families. We’re honored that Matt will be speaking on the topic of  Viewing Mental Illness Through the Eyes of Faith for Inclusion Fusion 2012.

Matt’s presentation is designed for anyone interested in learning more about mental illness from a Biblical perspective. Topics covered in this workshop will include:

• What is a Biblical and clinical understanding/response to mental illness?
• How to recognize mental illness.
• The essential role of the church in the recovery and treatment process.
• How to respond to families dealing with mental illness.
• How to create mental health related supportive care within the church.
• Resources to help families navigate the health care system and everyday life.

The heart and vision of the MHGA is to see the works of God displayed in individuals and families affected by mental illness (John 9:1-3). This presentation will help equip you and your church to effectively minister and support those living with mental illness. Don’t miss it!!

Check out Part One and Part Two of our interview with Matt from last winter examining his group’s research on the relationship between mental health and faith practice. 

Join Matt and 35 other leaders serving as faculty for Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry’s second annual Special Needs Ministry Web Summit is made available FREE OF CHARGE to pastors, church staff, volunteers and families everywhere from November 12th-16th, 2012. For an up to date list of speakers, topics, links to speaker blogs and a link for free registration, click here.