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Leading Whole: Mental Health and Thriving for Diverse Pastors and Leaders in Ministry Contexts

Pastors and Ministry Leaders are invited to learn from faith and mental health professionals on topics including holistic well-being, promoting congregational health, and supporting the unique needs of clergy families.

Register by March 27 for Early Bird Price of $50.

Thriving in Ministry Conference Keynote Speaker

Rev. Eugene Cho

Dr. Anita Phillips

Lead Pastor at ONE | A Potter’s House Church, trauma therapist, and New York Times bestselling author of The Garden Within.

Dr. Anita Phillips is widely recognized as a thought leader at the intersection of mental health, faith, and culture, Dr. Phillips has been featured on prominent platforms including Oprah Daily and Red Table Talk. She is also the host of the In the Light podcast.

Why Come to our Thriving in Ministry Conference?

The Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service is eager to provide an authentic space on Azusa Pacific University’s campus for diverse preachers and ministry leaders to receive soul care and wholistic wellness. Participants will hear from faith and mental health professionals on topics including holistic well-being, promoting congregational health, and supporting the unique needs of clergy families. Our goal is for you to leave not just with tools, but with a renewed sense of encouragement for yourselves and your ministry.

Thriving in Ministry Mental Health Conference

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Cost: $49 ( if you register before 3/27! ) Location: Azusa Pacific University, East Campus

Description: If you are a ministry leader seeking to integrate mental health awareness into your community, looking for a space to connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of leadership across diverse contexts and communities, interested in learning how to faithfully and effectively lead diverse congregations, and desiring practical tools to care for your own mental and emotional well-being, we invite you to join us.

Youth Pastors Lunch

Workshop Speakers

Rob Fisher, MFT

Rob Fisher, MFT

Pastoral Soul Care & Experiential Processing

Rob Fisher is a licensed MFT, trained Spiritual Director, and leadership coach. He believes in the cascading effect of health and wellbeing; healthier leaders building healthier organizational cultures, resulting in greater wellbeing among team members and within the broader community. Rob draws from 25+ years of experiences within various non-profits, in roles ranging from volunteer to Executive Director. He currently leads the Long Beach Church Collective’s Pastoral Resilience Initiative, provides oversight and leadership for SoCal SoulCARE (a nine-month, retreat-based, formational experience for pastors and non-profit leaders), and is the Founder of Inflection Point: Coaching, Consulting and Care.

Dr. Francisca Martinez

Dr. Francisca Martinez

Mental Health 101: Equipping Pastors for Congregational Health

Francisca Martinez earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. Her doctoral dissertation focused on pastoral burnout among Hispanic pastors, though Dr. Martinez’s interest in clergy mental health and wellbeing is rooted in her personal history of ministry and pastoral involvement. She and her husband have served as senior pastors of a predominantly Hispanic congregation in Southern California for close to 8 years. She is committed to supporting the soul care of pastors, ministers, their families and congregations. Dr. Martinez and Mr. Martinez have three children, ages 8, 4, and 1. As a family, they enjoy spending sunny days at the park, going for walks, but also really appreciate slower days at home.

Dr. Sam Girguis

Dr. Sam Girguis

The Life of a Pastor's Spouse & Kids: Emotional Connection, Intimacy, and Parenting

Dr. Samuel Girguis is a licensed psychologist who specializes in child/adolescent trauma and resilience. He’s currently the Director of the Doctor of Psychology Program at Azusa Pacific University (APU). Before APU, Dr. Girguis worked with children, youth and families experiencing child abuse, community violence, foster care, and homelessness at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. His work in Cambodia and the Philippines focused on culturally based trauma treatment for youth who’ve experienced trafficking or sexual exploitation. His work in Lebanon has focused on supporting Lebanese aid workers caring for refugees from Syria.

Thank you for joining us for our Thriving in Ministry Mental Health Conference. We hope to see you there!