“To love them well.”

In 2010, among many things converging together (including counsel and Scripture), “love them well” was the key phrase Joe sensed as God’s invitation to serve others in their mental health journeys. This is the guiding vision and Spirit behind everything we do and decide at Grace Alliance.

This phrase may not fit with standard vision-building, but “Love them well” reveals how Jesus FULLY identifies, loves, and restores/heals the broken-hearted and marginalized, and ministering to them is ministering to Christ (Is. 61:1-3; Matt. 25:35-40).

We FULLY serve/love those who are broken-hearted, mourning, afflicted, distressed, etc., with free grace (Is. 55:1) — “making (resilient) disciples” who experience resilient life-wholeness, wellness, and well-being (Is. 61:4; Matt. 28:18-20). We do this in a way that best serves mental health needs for both the body of Christ and the precious people who are “unbelieving” (in God and/or Christ) — because grace is for all of God’s creation.

Grace Alliance is a Christian Organization (view + belief).

Scriptural Integrity and Christian Creeds.

Our curricula align with the integrity of Scripture (Old and New Testament Bible). The Scripture clearly articulates that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One. Jesus Christ's death and resurrection offer salvation by grace, and the Holy Spirit indwells and transforms the believer's life, including their mental health journey (see our FAQs for more details about mental health recovery, science, and Scripture).

"Jesus is Lord”

1 Corinthians 8:6 + Colossians 1:15 + Titus 3:4-8

Mental Health Grace Alliance was founded because it was an opportunity to change the statistics.

In 2011, the “Grace Alliance” was founded with the mission of providing evidence-based resources for individuals, marriages, and families facing mental health challenges through a grace-filled, Christ-centered approach.

We looked past the problem to see an opportunity …

1. The Church was (and currently) ill-equipped for mental health needs … a lack of knowledge and skills from seminary and ministry training programs.

2. Many Christian mental health books were available, but national/International Christian mental health groups did not exist or were few and local.

3. Community mental health support groups and programs lacked Christian understanding and resources. Christian-focused discussions were not encouraged within the community groups. In addition, some of these groups were good at support, but many lacked growth-oriented principles and tools.

Many felt isolated (unseen and unheard), so this was a chance to help the Body of Christ reach the entire community.

Through Grace Alliance’s user-friendly, Christ-centered, and evidence-based approach, the model provides:

1. Supportive growth community: Congregants associated with mental health challenges found a Christ-centered, restorative community and growth support.

2. Supportive pastoral community: Church leaders began to learn, but didn’t have to be psychology experts, and/or try to individually pastor every individual, couple, and family. Congregants would find a community with an in-depth understanding and wisdom from lived experience, often with more insight than many pastoral leaders could offer. The community heals itself.

3. Supportive community outreach: Grace Groups are inviting, and the material naturally creates personal interest in Jesus and God. Through relationships, these groups often attract non-believers and other faith groups (some faith groups see mental health and other disabilities as a punishment, curse, etc.). In this regard, Grace Groups have worked well in other cultures/countries.

4. Supportive church model (no cost barriers for church + congregants): The simple community model and resource worked naturally within their Church model, with very little or no cost (no training or subscription fees; churches can print/bind Grace Alliance’s free group workbooks for participants as needed).

5. Supportive bridges with pros: The group model establishes “task-sharing” connections between congregants and mental health professionals, providing community support and growth opportunities. Additionally, this model enables churches to collaborate with other churches, whether or not they have mental health resources.

The remarkable impact of the Grace Alliance programs and training was published in four journals, with results showing:

1. Participants saw a reduction in mental health symptoms.

2. Participants were aided in overall mental health recovery and trauma healing.

3. Participants experienced a renewal of their faith and spirituality.

4. Training increases confidence and skills to respond and minister to mental health challenges.

Mental Health Grace Alliance is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. MHGA Federal ID is 27-3845241.

Join us in making Christian mental health recovery and thriving freely accessible worldwide.

Click below for more details about Grace Alliance’s solution to equip the Body of Christ to provide solutions to mental health needs (Case for Support) and to understand more about mental health recovery (science and Scripture) in our FAQs.

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