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Pursuing Wholeness...at MS Children's Ministry Conference 2025
- Pam Williamson
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
Wow. What a blessing it was to attend the Mississippi Children's Ministry Conference 2025!
My husband and I both were blessed to attend each session with Pursuing Wholeness Founder and Coach Sister Debbie Simler-Goff. From "Fresh Oil: Overcoming Barriers to Kingdom Impact" to "The Muddled Mind: Finding Clarity in the Chaos", to "Pouring Love: When I'm Hurting", each session was power-packed and brought enlightenment in different areas of our ministry and day to day life - because let's face it; we are not just ministers in a classroom or church-setting, but in our day-to-day events as we walk with God.
"Fresh Oil: Overcoming Barriers to Kingdom Impact" brought enlightenment to issues we face with Mental Health and 'low flow', bringing to light things that may hinder the flow of the Spirit of God, what completely chokes out the flow of His Spirit, and what BRINGS the flow of The Spirit of God in our lives. In layman terms, when you have issues with flow in plumbing, something is blocking the flow and we've got to get it unclogged! If we cloud our hearts and minds with offenses, insecurities, hidden sin, misalignment or lack of submission - We find ourselves spinning our wheels and on the verge of burnout because (1) we aren't operating in the anointing and flow of the Spirit, so (2) God is unable to refresh our minds and spirit, giving us the strength to accomplish the task at hand. If this is something you're facing, I encourage you to reach out and find the safe space within Pursuing Wholeness. Find assistance to work through the steps in bringing the Flow back into your life - here, you can gain encouragement to walk boldly in your calling and submit your mind, will, and emotions to God. By verbally acknowledging your submission to Spiritual Authority and being accountable to someone lightens the load of the burden you're carrying. Forgive, serve, and repent often - These practices, among so many others, will keep your vessel clean and you can become a conduit for God to move through.
"The Muddled Mind: Finding Clarity in the Chaos" session addressed the Chaos we often find ourselves battling silently and alone. Laughter is a perfect medication (Provers 17:12) and can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. A muddled mind full of brain fog isn't always muddled with anxiousness and depressive thoughts. Sometimes it's the result of chronic stress, poor diets, lack of quality sleep, and another taboo - Media Fatigue! [Ooo. I said the two words we've only been hearing in public spaces over the past two decades, and attacked "Media". I'll dive into this in the next paragraph!] With Brain Fog, we sometimes experience Racing Thoughts - that may interfere with daily life or sleep - this is definitely time to seek help. God has a plan and a purpose for our life, and living in the confines of chaos in a muddled mind burdened down by brain fog IS NOT HIS PLAN. If you're walking in a place where you need support, take care of the practical things first (your health, both mental and physical) and reach for help - Pursuing Wholeness can be that support. This session pointed out it is in our minds that we choose to develop the spiritual part of who we are (James 1:21) and in our minds that we reject or believe the lies of the enemy (James 4:7). Romans 12:2 states "Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think This will empower you to discern God's will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes." This scripture is telling us we must not be squeezed into the mold 'of this present age' or of this world system that is falling apart. (The Passion Translation)
Regarding Media Fatigue this includes but is not limited to - Newspapers (Printed, so outdated!), News Stations (Radio), Channels (Television or Online), and last but not least Social Media. According to a study¹ posted by Ballard Brief, anxiety and depression is becoming increasingly prevalent...increasing by 63% from 2005 to 2017! In this same study, social support and counseling services have been largely proven to decrease levels of anxiety and depression. In an article² by Doucleff covering Psychologists Jean Twenge studies regarding generational trends social media, around 2012 time on social media began to soar. In the same article, "across the board, since 2010, anxiety, depression and lonliness have all increased." (These studies went up to 2019, so it doesn't include the sky-rocketing numbers due to the Covid.) This 2017 study by Twenge focused on young adults, as young as 12 and old as 19 - who in 2025 would now be 20-27, the age group of so many in ministry today. Depression and anxiety are real, and there is no shame in seeking help. The enemy's number one goal is to assault our minds, because by muddling the mind, half his battle is won. Don't allow him to be victorious over you! Seek help in aligning your thoughts with God's Word, and change toxic thinking. Keep notes of your victories and review them each time you begin feeling down. Memorize the Word and use it as your defense each time the assaults come and stay connected with the Body of Christ, a Spiritual Authority, Mentor, and/or Mental Health Coach!
The final session, "Pouring Love: When I'm Hurting" is another session that spoke directly to both myself and my husband. (We recently concluded the Bible Study "Finding Freedom" by Sonja Baker, dealing with identifying wounds and how to gain freedom from them Biblically.) What a powerful flow of God's Spirit as ministering went forth!!
There are no limits to the type of wounds we may endure or when they will enter your life. Abuse (emotional, physical, mental) from childhood, un-repented hidden sin, broken relationships, abandonment, shame of the past, betrayal by infidelity, injustice by overbearing authority figures, broken trust in spiritual leadership or fellow christians in our fellowship - wounds come by many different faces and labels. "If you have come from a dysfunctional home, endured emotional, physical, sexual, or spiritual abuse, or have suffered through any type of broken relationship, you experienced some form of rejection. Rejection is at the root of these wounds. Furthermore, the fear of rejection is the controlling factor." [Finding Freedom Bible Study] Surrendering the pain to God and overcoming rejection by giving forgiveness and receiving forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32) is the first step on the road to finding freedom from your pain.
There is Beauty in our Brokenness, because God can use our pain for His purpose. For this to happen, we must reach a point where we Trust the Craftsman. If we surrender our pain to God, it allows Him to heal and use our scars for His glory. "Your scars tell a story, and stories have the power to heal - not just you, but those who hear them." - Natalie Runion Staying in God doesn't mean staying in our pain, regardless of where your wounds come from.³ The adversary wants to keep us in a fractured, unusable state, so that anything God pours into our vessels, it leaks out. "Staying doesn't mean staying the same. It means trusting that God is doing something new in you, even in the hardest of seasons." Raised to Stay
As God brings forth a healing, scars are developed (much like the beauty of the Kintsugi Vase from the Book "A Word To The Broken" by Victor Jackson). When we pour God's love from our own place of brokenness, we honor God in unimaginable ways as you put ultimate trust in God's sovreignty to complete your own healing. (WOW!) God never called us to be perfect or to have it all together, but He called us to minister and share His Love and His Gospel to all. He can use a surrendered, fractured heart. "Healing isn't just about being restored; it's about being repurposed for God's kingdom. Every scar becomes part of your testimony." - Dr Vani Marshall
If you are in need of a safe place and want to pursue wholeness through healing, I implore you, reach out - and if you are unsure of where to start, I encourage you to start HERE.
What a beautiful and much needed ministry brought by Sister Debbie Simler-Goff and introduced this past weekend! I truly feel through these three sessions we've gained a sneak-peek at the depth of her calling and passion - to see each person God sets in her path healed and in a place they might properly and effectively minister to others and further impact the Kingdom of God!
¹ Osorio, Emma Kauana and Emily Hyde. “The Rise of Anxiety and Depression Among Young Adults in the United States.” Ballard Brief. March 2021. www.ballardbrief.org.
³ If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please know abuse is in NO way your fault. It is NEVER your fault and you are not alone. It's important to prioritize your safety and well-being. Abuse—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—is never acceptable. You deserve to live a life free from harm, and there is always help available. Please reach out to a trusted professional, support organization, or helpline to get the assistance you need. It can be difficult, but you are strong, and there are people ready to support you in making the next steps toward safety and healing.
In case of immediate danger, please contact emergency services right away.
Ohhhhhh my friend. I am so humbled by your BEAUTIFUL POST about this past weekend and the Pursuing Wholeness Classes. Thank-You so much for your kind and insightful words. And you are so right. The need is so great. Each attendee was just so precious and has such tremendous kingdom potential!