Faith Facts

• Former minister Darrel Sears experienced severe burnout in 2019, initially mistaking it for depression or spiritual unfaithfulness
• Sears created the THRIVE Cohort in January 2026 to provide community and support for ministers at all stages of their calling
• The cohort emphasizes staying connected to Christ while serving, helping ministers ‘thrive through the Spirit, not just surviving’

YORK, NEB. — After nearly two decades of faithful ministry across the Midwest, Darrel Sears began experiencing troubling symptoms in 2019 that he couldn’t quite identify. As a youth minister and preaching minister who had served since 2001, Sears found himself struggling in ways he’d never anticipated.

“I didn’t even know what to call it at the time,” Sears explained. “I thought I might be depressed or just unfaithful.”

What Sears was experiencing turned out to be burnout — a crisis affecting ministers across America that often goes unrecognized and unsupported. His own struggle would eventually lead him to create a solution that’s now helping other ministers avoid the same painful path.

“Even though I had to write all those papers that stressed me out, I had a great network of minister friends in school,” Sears recalled of his time at York University and Oklahoma Christian University, both institutions associated with Churches of Christ. “I didn’t realize how much I missed that until I was out of it.”

That realization became the catalyst for change. After beginning doctoral studies at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, Sears focused his dissertation on minister burnout, completing it in 2023. He then made the difficult decision to leave full-time ministry to teach at York University.

“Part of the reason that I got out of full-time preaching was I wanted to be a person that got to help train students going into ministry,” Sears said. “But I also felt a calling in my heart from God to be some kind of lifeline for ministers that are in the field.”

That calling led Sears to approach York’s Kite Center for Ministry with an offer to serve as a resource, though he wasn’t sure exactly what form that would take. The answer came in January 2026 with the launch of the THRIVE Cohort — a support network bringing together Sears and seven ministers who meet online eight times throughout the year.

“It’s called THRIVE because we’re not supposed to just survive in ministry or in our Christian life, but God made us to flourish,” Sears explained. “I want ministers to really love what they’re doing and thrive in ministry.”

While Sears’ research focused on burnout, he emphasized that preventing exhaustion isn’t the cohort’s only purpose. The program offers community and support for ministers at every stage — from those just beginning their calling to veterans navigating decades of service.

Rion Curtis, preaching minister for the Clearwater Church of Christ in Kansas, is early in his ministry journey. But he said the THRIVE Cohort has already equipped him to recognize warning signs and prevent burnout before it takes root.

“We make sure we know we’re not alone as ministers because it’s not an easy job,” Curtis said.

Connor Lewis, preacher for Trinity Baptist Church in Douglas, Wyoming, joined the cohort just months into his ministry. At 26, he’s the youngest member and has found tremendous value in learning from more experienced ministers in the group.

“I look forward to learning more from their experience and their wisdom,” Lewis said. “And for this cohort to be a safe place to have other ministers to rely on.”

The cohort meetings provide more than just professional development — they offer a rare space where ministers can be authentic without the pressure of always being “on.” During gatherings, members check in with one another and share struggles that only fellow ministers truly understand.

“I have lots of good friends in the church, but there’s something that only ministers will understand,” Sears said. “They know what it’s like to always be ‘on.'”

Maintaining work-life balance proved especially challenging during Sears’ time in full-time ministry.

“I was always ‘Preacher Darrel’ or ‘Youth Minister Darrel,’ but I needed spaces for myself where I could just be ‘Darrel,'” he explained. “So I’m trying to create a space for these guys where they don’t have to be ‘preacher’ or ‘teacher,’ but they’re just ‘disciple of Jesus’ — and hopefully that’s what makes this cohort lifegiving for them.”

Through reading, learning, practicing spiritual disciplines together, and honest conversation, Sears works to ensure cohort members remain connected to their ultimate source of strength. His goal is straightforward: ministers cannot give life to their churches if they’re disconnected from the source of life themselves.

“I just feel like there’s far too many of us in ministry that are disconnected from the vine,” he said, referencing Jesus’ teaching in John 15.

Sears described a troubling pattern he recognized in his own ministry — one that many pastors will find uncomfortably familiar.

“We preach and we teach all the time, but I’ve realized I would go an entire day of doing ministry without thinking about Jesus,” Sears said. “How did that happen?”

“I want us to be connected to the vine and thinking about Jesus. I want us to be able to give life to our congregants, but we also have to have life within us. I’m just passionate about making sure we’re thriving through the Spirit, not just surviving.”

Sears plans to continue launching new cohorts annually, as long as the program continues serving ministers effectively. For those in ministry feeling isolated, exhausted, or disconnected, the THRIVE Cohort represents both a warning and a hope — that the crisis of minister burnout can be addressed before it destroys calling, and that thriving in ministry remains possible when rooted in Christ and supported by community.

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Faith Facts

• A seven-day global fast has been organized in support of Mike Bickle, founder of International House of Prayer Kansas City, focusing on his “heaven-ordained destiny”
• The fasting event has sparked significant backlash from critics and survivors, leading to plans for a counter-event
• Bickle has faced allegations of spiritual abuse and misconduct that have divided the charismatic Christian community

A controversial seven-day global fast organized in support of Mike Bickle, the founder of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC), has ignited a firestorm of criticism within the Christian community. The fast, promoted as an intercession for Bickle’s “heaven-ordained destiny,” has been met with organized opposition from those who say it ignores serious allegations against the charismatic leader.

The fasting initiative comes at a time when Bickle and IHOPKC have faced mounting scrutiny over claims of spiritual abuse and misconduct. Critics argue that the event minimizes the experiences of those who have come forward with allegations and represents a troubling example of misplaced loyalty within certain segments of the charismatic movement.

In response to the scheduled fast, opponents have announced plans for a counter-event. The dueling gatherings highlight the deep divisions that have emerged within the Christian community over how to respond to accusations against prominent ministry leaders.

The situation raises important questions about accountability, discernment, and the protection of the vulnerable within Christian ministries. Many believers have expressed concern that such public displays of support for leaders facing serious allegations can discourage survivors from coming forward and perpetuate unhealthy power dynamics.

IHOPKC has been a significant force in the charismatic prayer movement for over two decades, known for its 24/7 prayer room and prophetic worship style. The organization has influenced countless believers and spawned similar ministries around the world, making the current controversy particularly impactful across denominational lines.

The backlash against the global fast reflects a growing movement within evangelical and charismatic circles calling for greater transparency and biblical accountability for ministry leaders. Many Christians are advocating for structures that protect congregants while still extending grace and restoration processes for those who genuinely repent.

As the situation continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the need for wisdom, discernment, and a commitment to truth within the body of Christ. The Bible calls believers to test all things and hold fast to what is good, while also maintaining compassion for all involved.

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Faith Facts

• The Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board’s AI evangelism tool, FaithBot, has reached over 600,000 users in its first year of operation
• The digital ministry tool uses artificial intelligence to share the Gospel and answer questions about Christian faith with seekers around the world
• This innovative approach represents a modern application of the Great Commission, using technology to spread God’s Word to unreached populations globally

The Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board has announced a remarkable milestone in digital evangelism. Their artificial intelligence-powered outreach tool, known as FaithBot, has engaged with more than 600,000 people seeking spiritual guidance over the past year.

This achievement demonstrates how faithful Christians are harnessing modern technology to fulfill the Great Commission in an increasingly digital world. The tool represents a creative approach to sharing the Gospel with individuals who might never walk through church doors but are searching for truth online.

The International Mission Board developed FaithBot as a ministry resource designed to answer questions about Christian faith, provide Scripture-based guidance, and introduce seekers to the saving message of Jesus Christ. By meeting people where they are—on their digital devices—the tool extends the reach of Baptist missionaries and evangelists worldwide.

For traditional churches concerned about maintaining authentic, personal ministry, this technology serves as a supplement rather than a replacement for human connection. The AI tool can provide initial engagement and biblical information, potentially opening doors for deeper discipleship relationships with local believers and congregations.

The success of FaithBot reflects a broader trend of faith communities adapting to cultural shifts without compromising core biblical truths. As more people turn to the internet for answers to life’s biggest questions, Christian organizations have both an opportunity and a responsibility to provide sound, Scripture-centered responses.

The 600,000-user milestone also highlights the global hunger for spiritual truth. In a world increasingly marked by moral confusion and ideological turmoil, countless individuals are searching for the hope, purpose, and redemption found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Southern Baptists have long been at the forefront of international missions, and this digital initiative continues that heritage. By combining timeless biblical truth with innovative outreach methods, the denomination is demonstrating that faithful witness can adapt to changing communication landscapes while remaining anchored in unchanging Scripture.

As artificial intelligence continues to develop and integrate into daily life, Christian leaders face important questions about how to use such tools responsibly and effectively for Kingdom purposes. The early success of FaithBot suggests that when technology is guided by biblical wisdom and evangelistic passion, it can become a powerful instrument for reaching lost souls.

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