Following a recent Sunday service at Porter’s Creek Baptist Church, Adrian Knipper prays with a friend from the church office. — Photo by Diane Goodman

JACKSON — Adrian Knipper loves the Lord, and he loves people. As a pastor for almost 30 years, Knipper has visited, counseled and prayed with many people. 

In 2017, Knipper retired as pastor of Porter’s Creek Baptist Church in Middleton after an extended illness left him homebound and confined to a wheelchair. At the time, he had no idea that his prayer ministry was about to multiply exponentially.  

“(The prayer ministry) started slow,” Knipper said. “I was in and out of the hospital for about a year in 2015 and 2016. When I was in the hospital, a lot of folks came and prayed for me. … I got to thinking about it and decided when someone asked me for prayer, I would say ‘Let’s pray now.’ ” 

But Knipper’s extended illness took a toll. Confined to a wheelchair, he realized he no longer had the strength to pastor his church. His recovery took time, but his commitment to pray for others didn’t waver.  [Read more…]

Members of the Jefferson County Baptist Association Disaster Relief team, from left, Danny Newman, Raymond Joseph Pierre Clement and Lloyd Phillips, work to get the team’s log splitter ready to process firewood. The DR team is helping local residents stay warm this winter. — Photo courtesy of The Standard Banner in Jefferson City

WHITE PINE — A spike in fuel costs has created a response of biblical proportions. 

Danny Newman, Bill Etter and fellow servants involved in Jefferson County Baptist Association Disaster Relief are volunteering scores of hours weekly to provide firewood to those in need. Working from a White Pine staging area, the trained emergency responders collect, cut and split wood.

The ministry has several purposes. According to the group’s landing page on the Jefferson County Baptist Association’s webpage, the primary call is to be able “to present Jesus by helping others when needs arise.” 

Another is to provide training and skills preparation so that tree and timber crews will be up to date on necessary certifications when called into service when catastrophe strikes. A third builds camaraderie among participants so team members are connected when called into action. [Read more…]

FRANKLIN — For most people, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are firmly linked to merriment and joy. It’s a time of celebration, singing, gift-giving and time-honored family traditions. 

But what about those who are not experiencing comfort and joy? 

Research reveals that vast amounts of individuals deal with grief, loneliness, anxiety and/or depression during the holidays. 

The World Health Organization  and National Alliance on Mental Illness report that individuals with clinical depression — which affects approximately 280 million people globally — are 64 percent more likely to experience worsening symptoms from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. 

Even those without a clinical diagnosis may deal with some form of holiday anxiety: A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 38 percent of people felt their stress levels increased during the holiday season, with many individuals experiencing “Seasonal Affective Disorder” (SAD) during this time.   

Christian counselor Stephanie Evans said the reason for the rise in cases around the holidays is not necessarily easy to pinpoint. The causes of depression can range from the loss of family members and friends to general loneliness and feelings of hopelessness. 

“There are multiple factors that interplay around the holidays which can exacerbate areas in which individuals were already struggling,” said Evans, a Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental Health Service Provider and the wife of Springfield Baptist Church senior pastor David Evans. 

In many cases, the  conditions are compounded by feelings of guilt. Those who are struggling with depression know they are “supposed” to feel happy at Christmas — which only makes them feel worse. 

This is perhaps especially true for Christ-followers, who realize that celebrating the birth of Jesus should be a joyful time.

Christian counselor Lindsey Reeves, owner of Becoming Brave Counseling in Old Hickory, said she works with her clients to help them let go of that mentality.

“I try to dispel the belief that Christians shouldn’t struggle with things like grief,” said Reeves, who counsels Tennessee Baptists in the mid-state area. “Just because we are believers, it doesn’t mean we are exempt from grief. In actuality, this can often be a ‘both-and’ scenario — meaning that it’s okay if the holidays are both hard and happy. 

“There is no ‘right way’ to do the holidays when you are grieving and unfortunately there is no timeline on grief,” Reeves said.  “It is a process, not a destination.”   

Finding solutions to depression and anxiety is not easy, of course, but there are ways to combat these issues, said Beth Kitzmiller, a a Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental Health Service Provider.

Kitzmiller, the owner and founder of Seed of Hope Counseling in Kingsport, said that, for those who are dealing with grief stemming from the loss of loved ones, the healing process often begins with seeking help, which is not always an easy step to take. 

“Some people are hesitant to seek counseling about their grief and loss because they think ‘everyone goes through this, so I should just deal with it,’ ” said Kitzmiller. 

“Grief counseling encompasses a therapist walking alongside the person in their grief and offering some ways to cope when it is overwhelming and helping the person find the path to move forward with hope for the future in the absence of the loved one.”

Evans said a key component to navigating grief is to utilize “healthy coping mechanisms.” These might include: talking with family and/or friends, continuing traditions which honor/remember those they have lost and connecting with support groups composed of individuals who have experienced a similar loss. 

Evans also said “attending and plugging into a church body” can be one of the most important coping mechanisms. “God did not intend for us to do this journey alone,” said Evans. “Talking with your pastor, youth leader or Bible study leader may also be helpful.” 

Evans, Reeves and Kitzmiller each said that one of the most important things that the common person can do for their friends who are hurting is to simply “be there” for them. (See related story HERE) 

Whether it’s just being a listening ear or perhaps going somewhere special, the key is to be available and patient, the doctors said. 

“The best thing you can offer a friend dealing with loss is to allow them to talk about the loved one if they need to and just be present in their life,” said Kitzmiller. 

“Remember the loss and check on the friend months after,” Kitzmiller added.  “Typically, when a death occurs in our culture, we are great at circling around the family immediately after the death. The immediate sadness and loss is recognized and comfort offered but the ongoing adjustment and range of emotions one feels over the next year —  as all the firsts without the loved one occur —  can be extremely difficult. 

“It is important to check in and see how the friend is doing and if there is anything you can do during that first year,” she said.

Reeves agreed, noting, “We are often afraid to ask people what they need (because) it requires a certain level of vulnerability and follow through on our part,” she said. “The question we should all be asking is, ‘How can I support you?’ or ‘What do you need?’ ”

“A proactive response to grief is best,” she added. “If the person asks you for space, give it, but don’t assume that they want it. Some people need you to just sit in their grief, not fix it.”

Evans, Reeves and Kitzmiller each said the holidays can be tricky for those who are dealing with emotional and mental heaviness. 

“I define trauma as anything that changes one’s view of the world in a negative way,” said Reeves. “So, even though the holidays can look bright and shiny, somebody who is grieving has been through something traumatic, and that alters their view of everything, including the holidays.” 

Although holiday stress is not a new development, the amount of anxiety has seemingly increased in recent years due to a wide range of variables, including the COVID-19 pandemic or maybe even angst brought on by social media.

“We live in a nation that has been through several years of significant trauma,” said Reeves. “COVID, along with political and financial unrest, has impacted everyone. Even the way we grieve has been impacted by it. Secondary trauma and burnout has impacted my field and providers are scrambling to meet the needs of so many people. This time of year, especially, is particularly busy.” 

Kitzmiller has several recommendations in regard to helping grief-stricken  individuals navigate their way through the holidays.

“First, recognize that grief is hard, especially during the holidays,” she said. “Remember and honor your loved one in some form that is meaningful to you during the season. Do not try to stuff or ignore your feelings — give yourself permission to feel the emotions as they come. 

“Part of the grief process is learning how to move forward in life in the absence of the loved one,” she said. “This does not happen on a set timetable  or script, wherever you are on the journey is okay.” 

For those who are battling depression, Evans said, “Please know that help is available, hope is real, and you are not alone. There are professional counselors who can help you through this time.” B&R Note: If you, or someone you know, is experiencing thoughts of suicide please call/text 988 which is available 24/7 and is a free service. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can help prevent suicide as well as those experiencing other mental health emergencies. For more information on 988 please visit https://988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is also available in Spanish and for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.