198: Thinking About Hosting a Summit? Here’s What We Learned from NAYBA Australia

Today, Laura Howe sits down with James Harris, Head of Strategic Initiatives at NAYBA Australia, to explore how churches can respond to today’s mental health crisis, not by doing more, but by leaning into their identity as places of belonging and healing. They reflect on the success of Australia’s Church Mental Health Summit, the inspiring legacy of St. Dymphna, and innovative tools like social prescribing. This episode is a powerful reminder that churches aren’t just spiritual spaces…they’re untapped engines of community care.

Quotes

• “There’s so much unmet need in our community and untapped potential in our churches.” — James Harris
• “We believe that in doing less, we can be more as the Church.” — James Harris
• “Churches don't need to do more. They need to rediscover who they already are.” — Laura Howe
• “What if the greatest need in our communities is actually the Church’s greatest strength?” — Laura Howe
• “We knew we had all these experts in the room, so we made sure they weren’t just consumers, but participants.” — James Harris

Resources

• Apply to be a Summit host
• https://www.nayba.org/
• The Church & Mental Health in Australia - A Report by NAYBA Australia 
• [email protected]
• Three Mile an Hour God, by Kosuke Koyama
• CAN Link - https://amzn.to/4oqlqoy
• US Link - https://amzn.to/4hn1uRf

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