Faith, Mental Health & Ministry: Ralph Mayhew on Depression, Pastoring, and Finding Joy in Jesus

In this vital episode of Sunburnt Souls, a Christian mental health podcast, founder Dave Quak (pastor living with bipolar disorder) sits down with pastor, church planter, and creative Ralph Mayhew to explore the raw realities of depression, anxiety, and ministry burnout in the Christian world. Ralph shares his deeply personal journey—struggling with mental health while attending Bible college and serving as a lead pastor—and how he found true joy and identity in Jesus through it all.You'll hear honest, practical discussion on:The challenge of preaching God's truth when your life doesn't feel congruent with what you proclaim.Why reframing your identity in Christ is the key to overcoming the stigma of anxiety and depression.The role of medication, self-care, and Sabbath in a pastor's life (and why it's not a lack of faith).How to build spiritual disciplines (like Lectio 365) that work with the messiness of life.Finding strength to keep going, one rung of the ladder at a time, and redefining what a "win" looks like.This conversation is essential for anyone in Christian leadership, anyone struggling with depression, or those seeking faith-based, practical hope for their mental wellbeing.Links & Resources:Ralph Mayhew Photography on YouTubeVillage Church Burleigh HeadsSunburnt Souls Unhinged is here! Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONHelp us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental HealthA 28-day, FREE journey to help you:Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace👉 Start your 28-day journey today📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITYGet weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter⭐ LEAVE A REVIEWLove this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey.Listen and Rate on ...