EP. 210 Mental Health and the Church Mini-Series: Pastoring, Counseling, and Mental Health W/Pastor Kevin Carson

EP. 210 Mental Health and the Church Mini-Series: Pastoring, Counseling, and Mental Health W/Pastor Kevin Carson

May 1, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 210

About this episode

Michael interviews Pastor Kevin Carson about the church's role in addressing mental health issues.

In this Speak the Truth podcast episode recorded at the 2026 Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition conference on mental health in the church, Michael interviews Kevin Carson, pastor of Sunrise Church (planted in 2002 in Ozark, Missouri) and newly appointed executive director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition (three months into the role). Carson shares his background teaching biblical counseling at Mission University and serving other seminaries, and describes cultivating a “church of biblical counseling” shaped by mutual care, sanctification, and one-another ministry, influenced by Steve Viars and guidance from David Powlison. Addressing how the church should respond to mental health, he emphasizes that labels change but people and God’s call do not, urging compassionate, patient, long-term discipleship rather than quick fixes, integrating care across preaching, life groups, and counseling. He invites listeners to learn about and support the BCC’s global resourcing and partnership program at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:19 Conference Road Trip 00:56 Meet Kevin Carson 01:49 Pastor and Church Planting 02:31 Leading the BCC 03:26 Teaching and…

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