About This Course

Ministry and Mental Health is a practical and restorative course designed to help ministry leaders, volunteers, and servants of God care for their own emotional, mental, and spiritual well‑being. Ministry is sacred work, but it can also be demanding, draining, and isolating if we do not learn to rest, replenish, and recognize the warning signs of burnout. This course equips students with a biblical understanding of self‑care, healthy rhythms, boundaries, and sustainable ministry practices. Through honest reflection and grounded teaching, students will learn how to serve from a place of strength rather than exhaustion, how to recognize when they are carrying too much, and how to cultivate a life that honors both their calling and their humanity. This is a course about longevity, wholeness, and learning to care for the soul that carries the ministry.

In this course, we will:

  • Define Mental Health

  • Discuss the Biblical Principle of Renewing Your Mind

  • Share Ways of Maintaining a Healthy State of Mind

  • Provide Biblical Examples of Resting

  • Provide Downloadable Ministry and Mental Health Quick Guide, Toolkit, and Infographic Slide Deck

Instructor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Lakia Downs, MSW, LISW-CP

Lakia Downs, MSW, LISW-CP is a licensed clinical social worker, coach, and consultant. She is the founder and owner of The Soar Firm, LLC – a private mental health practice located in Greenville, South Carolina. Lakia is a graduate of Lander University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she obtained a Master’s in Social Work. Lakia is an advocate of mental health and with over 10 years of experience, she empowers individuals, couples, and families to navigate through and overcome life’s challenges in the areas of work/life balance, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships, and trauma. Lakia is a licensed minster and enjoys serving her community through advocacy and education. She also currently serves on the board of directors for the South Carolina National Association of Social Workers. Contact Information: Lakia Downs The Soar Firm LLC [email protected] www.thesoarfirm.com