Someone sent me a book the other day: For the Faint of Heart: Hope for the Hurting by Craig Parrott. It touched my heart and lifted my spirits. It truly did offer hope and encouragement to me on a grey and gloomy day. I cried when I put it down.

Who is Craig Parrott?, I wondered. I decided to interview Craig, get to know him and learn how he supports and encourages others through his ministry so that readers of the Quarterly might be encouraged, too.

by Donna Streufert

Q. Help us get to know you, Craig. Tell us a little about yourself.

A. I have taught in Lutheran high schools (Baltimore and Denver) for 25 years. I have taught mainly English and Bible. I currently counsel students at Denver Lutheran High, as well. I teach adult Bible studies at my church, Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada, CO. I have three children, aged 20, 17 and 15. My wife Rebecca is an art director.

Q. What motivated you to reach out to those who are hurting?

A. I believe several things motivated me. First, I was disappointed going through my own trials to find book after book in Christian bookstores that were "how to" formulas for getting through this or that problem. To me, that smacked of law. By this point in my life I know I can't keep any law. It creates pride or despair or both at various times. In contrast, God's Word gave me the best comfort and strength. So, I wanted to literally comfort others as the God of all comfort had comforted me (2 Cor. 1:3-4). That passage is my compass for my work.

Second, hurting students repeatedly asked me questions year after year, privately and in class. Some chapters are adaptations of my letters, my answers, to fellow believers, both student and adult.

I have also noticed that students from dysfunctional homes seem to be drawn to me and I to them. Coming from a divorced family with an alcoholic stepfather, I have seen how God has used and redeemed those seasons bountifully in how He has touched others through me. I have hope and confidence in Him that He is and will do the same through this little book.

Third, I am an avid reader. I also wanted to catalog some thoughts on suffering from some pretty notable folks I'd read who encouraged me.

Lastly, I discovered in my own journeys through counseling and trials that what helped me most was a renewing of my mind by the Holy Spirit as it came from the written or spoken Word. Change came not by trying harder or doing something differently but change occurred by seeing differently. That perspective and heart change, of course, happens mysteriously by the Spirit working in and through the Word.

Q. So the purpose of your ministry is?

A. The purpose, therefore, is simply to draw others, by God's Spirit, of course, close to our heavenly Father. Therein is our Hope. I pray Paul's prayer in 2 Thess. 3:5 that the Spirit will direct (readers') hearts and minds to our Father's love and to the perseverance of Christ. I aim to help others fix their eyes on things above rather than on things down here. I hope to give hope!

Q. Tell us a little about your approach.

A. I choose to write in letter format, similar to Charlie Shedd's Letters to Philip and Letters to Karen. I don't want to be preachy. I don't want to appear as if I have discovered every secret to life. I am still being sanctified. I am still very much a work of God's art in progress. I am not finished. I have found comfort in fellow believers who have been open and transparent with me. I have tasted God's grace and mercy in them. I aim to be open and candid with those I serve, also.

Q. Whom are you hoping to encourage?

A. People 17-71. But the more I think about it, suffering is the great equalizer. It crosses gender, age and color. This resource has been used with military and college chaplains, with psychological counselors, with pastors in their shut-in calls and sermons and Bible studies. Youth leaders and Stephen Ministers and small groups have used it. I never envisioned these uses, but I clearly see its benefits to such people now, and it is humbling and exciting to see what God is doing it. God is so awesome!

Q. How have people used your insights, your experiences in ministry?

A. As a devotional, Bible study guide, small group resource, sermon help, classroom aid. I am hopeful readers will not only find hope for themselves but use something from the book, maybe a Scripture passage, to comfort others. To consider the ripple effect gives me chills, brings me to tears and leads me to worship and praise our great God.

Q. How has this ministry impacted you?

A. My pastor recently advised me to reread my own book! I find myself continuing to do just that. It is easy to read. The short chapters can be read in any order. It is not too academic or theological. But I believe its biggest strength is the focus on God's Word. I hope it is bathed in grace and Gospel.

Q. Who encourages your ministry?

A. Dr. Russell Moulds, professor at Concordia University Nebraska (Seward), Rev. Dwight Hellmers, vice-president of the Rocky Mountain District and my own pastor, Rev. David Ahlman, encouraged me often. Dr. Bruce Hartung, executive director of the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support and associate professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has also encouraged me.

So ... dear readers, whether you are personally undergoing a severe trial in your life, ministering to hurting people or even teaching a class on suffering, you will find a well-spring of inspiration in reading what Craig Parrott has to share with all of us who are weathering the storms of life. Craig's pastor points out: "Craig is a gift to the Body of Christ."

I agree.