As a former pastor with 12 years of experience, I feel uniquely qualified to speak on the pressing issue of pastors’ mental health. While I never led a mega church, my time shepherding a small congregation was filled with profound challenges that weighed heavily on my mental and emotional well-being. I witnessed tragedies that could leave a lasting impact on anyone’s psyche, including the horrifying incident of a man being set on fire by a group of drug dealers. In the Kensington area of Philadelphia, reaching out to law enforcement during the COVID pandemic often felt like calling a disconnected number—either no one answered, or there were excuses for why help couldn’t arrive.
Harris Kakoulides, host of the Mr Kakoulides and the Bible podcast
Host of the Mr Kakoulides and the Bible podcast