Before the crisis of COVID-19, depression was the most commonly experienced mental health problem in the United States. COVID-19 has compounded these emotional side effects, creating unprecedented stress that can lead to anger, irritability, fear, lack of hope, loneliness, and a host of negative emotions that impede spiritual growth.
In answer to this crisis, Alexis Christ of Jesus the Transformer Church, has felt called to offer a free program she says is a form of “spiritual detoxing.” The program offers spiritual support and practical information to increase self-esteem, provide companionship, and offer resources to help people cope with stress and negative life events.
“To have God in our lives gives us a sense of belonging and self-esteem, helps us to understand that loneliness is not a choice, and helps us to identify the selfishness that is at the heart of most problems between people,” said Christ.
Christ is focusing especially on providing these services to the Hispanic community after having spent 10 years ministering in South America. The program runs in groups of no more than 12 participants, and is 12 weeks long. It covers a wide range of topics in both English and Spanish including ways to detox and heal the mind, emotions, the physical body, and relationships. It covers financial healing and the avoidance of harmful habits and culminates with advice for living life with purpose and a sense of belonging.
Christ said, “Those who have attended the program are healed, grateful, and ready even to help me in the coming sessions.”
One past participant, Anna Roberts, shared her experience with spiritual detox. “I believe going through inner healing/detox has given me the tools and understanding that God wants us to be victorious in every area of our lives. I have been a Christian for a long time and I understand that with God we never stop learning and God always wants us to grow. Before going into the detox program I decided that I wanted to be a better version of myself and to do that, I needed to allow God to do the work in me. Allowing myself to go through the healing detox helped me recognize that some of the habits and perceptions I have are not part of God’s plan for me.”
Rita Touseatant, another client, agreed. The program helped her delve into her life and identify areas for improvement. “I am totally grateful to the Lord for letting me experience a new peace that is indescribable, even in the middle of our daily struggles, pandemic, and challenging times. I used to suffer from insomnia, but after being in the program I am not just sleeping well, but resting in the Lord every night. This is something I really needed.
“This program also brought a new mentality to me,” she continued. “All past regrets are gone, and a new positive mentality and view of the future are with me every day. My marriage is much better now. I learned that Jesus loves my husband and his imperfections, just as he loves me with my imperfections.”
If you are interested in the Detox and Healing Program, visit Christ’s website at www.jesusthetransformer.org. Both the program and the bilingual church services are offered weekly through Zoom.