Please save the date!  The COTC Life Team is hosting a mental health presentation by Chrissie Gillet on Thursday, July 30th, at 7:00pm. Chrissie is the Word of Hope Director at Lutherans for Life and is an excellent speaker. She is so good that we were going to bring her all the way here from Wisconsin! Under the current circumstances, she has agreed to do an online presentation instead.

The goal of this event is to be informed about being mentally and emotionally healthy from a Christian perspective. Join us to become aware of common struggles during these uncertain times such as unhealthy means of coping, anxiety, depression, aggression, and hopelessness leading to suicidal thoughts. Also, learn how to serve your neighbors by connecting with people who are isolated, give Scriptural encouragement to those suffering, and provide resources for additional help when needed.

Chrissie is a deaconess and has a doctorate in clinical psychology, and will be speaking about mental health from a Christian point of view on topics including coping with current issues, anxiety, and warning signs of suicide. She will also be talking about how to focus, reconnect, and serve people during these trying times. We are hoping to have high attendance, including people from other churches. Please register for the presentation below, and spread the word! 

Chrissie earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Spalding University and completed her psychology residency as an officer in the United States Air Force. She served four years active duty and another four as inactive reserve. God blessed her with a range of counseling experiences in settings such as: a domestic violence shelter, the suicide crisis hotline, military mental health clinics, and a Christian counseling agency. Transitioning from an emphasis on psychology to theology, Chrissie attended the Distance Deaconess Program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. She graduated in October 2018 and was commissioned as a deaconess with Lutherans for Life.

In her position as the Word of Hope Director, Chrissie answers the hotline calls and emails. Understanding both the secular worldview and the Christ-centered perspective, she listens without personal judgment while also responding in Christian truth and love. Motivated by compassion, she often goes above and beyond to connect people with local services and natural supports. Beyond her typical hotline responsibilities, Chrissie writes articles, publicly speaks, and leads Bible studies on a range of topics related to life issues.