“Only 4 percent of churchgoers who have lost a close friend or family member to suicide say church leaders were aware of their loved one's struggles.”
"1/3 of church members have a close friend or family member that has died by suicide."
"76% of churchgoers say suicide is a problem that needs to be addressed in their community."
Rally Cry for the Faith Community
Kenneth "Lou" Koon, D.Min
Founder of the Intervene Challenge
The above stats from Lifeway research should serve as a rally cry to the faith community to gain the skills that save lives. In the book of Acts, the jailer was about to take his own life, but the Apostle Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The Intervene Challenge is a call to ALL within the community to gain the skills that save lives. The faith community has an incredible opportunity to be a beacon of hope that turns the tide on suicide. 35% of suicide victims attended church at least monthly prior to the months before death. Some may have been seeking to make peace with God with what they planned to do. However, most were looking for something else - a reason to live. Most, like a man, his arms flailing in a riptide, were crying out for help - someone, anyone who would be willing to ask the question that most will never ask.
Having conducted more than 1,600 successful suicide interventions, I have concluded that I have never met anyone that really wanted to die. Suicide is not the result of wanting to die. Suicide is the result of loss that leads to hopelessness. The church of all places should be the place where those at risk can find hope again. It should be a place filled with people who know how to help others find renewed purpose for living. The Bible says, "without vision (purpose, hope, meaning) people perish."
My name is Lou Koon. I founded the Intervene Challenge in 2012 after my own brush with suicide. More than 20,000 people have participated in the Intervene Challenge. It has been an honor to work with the military, schools, hospitals, universities, and more than 500 public safety agencies, but my greatest desire is to engage the faith community.
Pastors you know you need this training. I have an MDiv too. I didn't get this training in seminary. Grace Seminary in Texas is one of the few that I am aware of that does offer such training, and they use the Intervene Challenge as their primary curriculum to do so. s. But the Intervene Challenge is not just for pastors and staff. Any church member with a heart for making a difference for those at risk should have the skills to intervene.
With 1 in 10 people having thoughts of suicide, the need is greater than ever to know how to help. Host the Intervene Challenge for your church. Join the network of care and let's turn the tide on suicide.
Having conducted more than 1,600 successful suicide interventions, I have concluded that I have never met anyone that really wanted to die. Suicide is not the result of wanting to die. Suicide is the result of loss that leads to hopelessness. The church of all places should be the place where those at risk can find hope again. It should be a place filled with people who know how to help others find renewed purpose for living. The Bible says, "without vision (purpose, hope, meaning) people perish."
My name is Lou Koon. I founded the Intervene Challenge in 2012 after my own brush with suicide. More than 20,000 people have participated in the Intervene Challenge. It has been an honor to work with the military, schools, hospitals, universities, and more than 500 public safety agencies, but my greatest desire is to engage the faith community.
Pastors you know you need this training. I have an MDiv too. I didn't get this training in seminary. Grace Seminary in Texas is one of the few that I am aware of that does offer such training, and they use the Intervene Challenge as their primary curriculum to do so. s. But the Intervene Challenge is not just for pastors and staff. Any church member with a heart for making a difference for those at risk should have the skills to intervene.
With 1 in 10 people having thoughts of suicide, the need is greater than ever to know how to help. Host the Intervene Challenge for your church. Join the network of care and let's turn the tide on suicide.
Testimonies
"The leaders of Baptist Collegiate Ministries participated in the Intervene Challenge the week before the start of the new school year. The L3 curriculum gave them the confidence to know that they could help a person at risk. Don’t wait for others to take the Challenge. Step up and lead… we need believers to be on the front line, in the trenches more than ever before. I invite you to take the Intervene Challenge.” Keith Wade Campus Minister University of North Georgia
"Chaplain Koon (“Lou”) has been a tremendous blessing to my Ministry Volunteers here at Eagles Landing First Baptist Church. The L3 curriculum not only helped us know how to recognize, and support, people considering suicide but also how to minister to them and get the the help they need. Lou is well-trained, compassionate, and excellent at teaching this phenomenal course and we believe he should be sharing this at every church in the Country. It was DEFINITELY worth our time and it will be worth yours too!"
Terry Hash, LPC Pastoral Care Minister -ELFBC |
“If this training were to go worldwide, it would throw a monkey wrench into Satan’s plans. The approach is one of empathy and compassion, and it gets the right help for those who are at the focus point of spiritual warfare. For this reason, I have to give it a 10/10. What Lou is doing is taking the “second greatest commandment” to the limit." Chaplain Ted Gustin Pike American Legion
"The Intervene Challenge is more than just a training event. It‘s an inspiration event that empowers the helper to know that they can make a difference and lives will be saved. Take the Challenge—Save a Life!" Chaplain Michael Hildreth USAR
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Faith Community Call to Action
Dear Faith Community - With the fall of Afghanistan and the 20th anniversary of 9/11 this month take special care to check in with your Veteran friends and family. More than 30,000 post 9/11 Veterans have died from suicide. Four time as many as killed in action. These are challenging times. The faith community has a unique opportunity to make a difference for those that have sacrificed so much.
With eyes to see and ears to hear, God can use you in a divine intervention to save a life. In 2011, my eyes were opened to the reality of divine intervention when my son intervened in my life. He listened to my pain, he asked me the suicide question and he led me back to the foundation of hope. You can do the same! ~ Lou Koon
With eyes to see and ears to hear, God can use you in a divine intervention to save a life. In 2011, my eyes were opened to the reality of divine intervention when my son intervened in my life. He listened to my pain, he asked me the suicide question and he led me back to the foundation of hope. You can do the same! ~ Lou Koon
To schedule an event or learn more call us today
(770) 224-7528
You can also email us with any questions you may have.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE INTERVENE CHALLENGE
Visit our new site for the Faith Community at 1 Reason 2 Live
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE INTERVENE CHALLENGE
Visit our new site for the Faith Community at 1 Reason 2 Live