Have you heard about The Juniper Project?
It’s an exciting new project being run by Michael Chesterman, formerly of YWAM Liverpool and a part of our Evangelism Strategy Team here at TFH.
Michael is a registered psychotherapist based in Liverpool, specialising in people navigating issues including addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, trauma, faith and spirituality, identity and neurodiversity.
Michael says: “You will be very aware of how the mental health crisis is impacting all of us, not just young people, but adults coping with the stresses of life, church leaders juggling with the competing demands of pastoral care, organisational and financial challenges, mission and discipleship activities, self-management and self-care.
“The burnout and fallout rates among church leaders in the last 5-10 years seem to have increased significantly.
“As the Apostle Paul said – on top of shipwrecks, imprisonments and beatings, I have the daily care of the churches! (2 Cor 11:23-28) Thankfully we are becoming more aware of these pressures, but sadly don’t always know how to support those who are struggling, or how to get help for ourselves.
“So to the Juniper Project. Our core belief is that everyone should have access to timely, professional mental health care from a distinct, biblical worldview, regardless of their financial situation.
“The aim of our charge is love issued from a pure heart, sincere faith, and good conscience.”
1 Timothy 1:5
“The Lord has already moved beautifully: our Charity Commission application is submitted, we have three qualified practitioners ready, and we have been gifted with free outpatient clinic venues. We are launching with a dual-track vision:
• Track 1 (Outpatient Therapy): Providing professional psychological treatments to church leaders facing trauma, stress and or burnout, and marginalized individuals (low-income, recovery, homelessness, refugees). We subsidize costs so clients pay just £10 per session while ensuring our clinicians receive full professional rates.
• Track 2 (The Juniper House): Opening a dedicated residential home providing affordable, short-term accommodation, sabbaticals, and pastoral discipleship for Christians needing a safe space to recuperate before returning to active ministry, or while serving in Liverpool.
“As you can imagine we have a number of financial challenges to launch successfully and sustainably. If you are open to partnering with us I’d love to talk to you about this. Please call or message me on +44 7597 037793 or at thejuniperpro@gmail.com.”
To find out more about Michael and his psychotherapy work, visit michaelchesterman.com/
To find out more about The Juniper Project, visit thejuniperproject.org.uk
