Take Heart Community

05/19/2026

Interested in our 8-week devotional study for yourself or someone you care about? It's now available on our website for free download or order a printed copy at the link below😊

https://www.takeheartcommunity.org/community


Devotional Description:

A life-altering diagnosis—whether your own or that of someone you love—can turn everything upside down. Questions surface, emotions intensify, and faith can feel both more necessary and more complicated.

This 8-week devotional is designed for anyone impacted by cancer or serious illness—patients, spouses, family members, and caregivers. Together, we create a space where honesty is welcomed and no question is off-limits.
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Each week, we explore themes like bringing hard questions to God, learning the language of lament, navigating relationships and community, and recognizing Jesus’ presence with us in the darkest places. Through Scripture, guided reflection, and shared conversation, we seek to find grounding, connection, and hope even when our circumstances remain difficult.

05/18/2026

We are just a few weeks away from our "Essentials of Care Training Pt 1" event! If you or someone you love have been impacted by a chronic or life-altering diagnosis OR if you just want to be better equipped to care for folks in this space, this training is for you! Columbus area Churches - we would be blessed to train lay leaders in your church! Lunch will be provided, but we'll need your RSVP😊

https://www.takeheartcommunity.org/event-details/vestibulum-bibendum-tellus-1

04/28/2026

It's not too late to RSVP for this online care training seminar from Noon-1PM! RSVP at: takeheartcommunity.org/training. We hope to see you there!

04/15/2026

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you faithfully prayed it would?

Join us for an honest and hope-filled Online Training as we explore the role of lament in the Christian life. Through a deeply personal story of unexpected suffering and long-term caregiving, we’ll challenge common misconceptions about faith—that obedience guarantees ease, that suffering always has a quick resolution, or that past hardship exempts us from future pain.

Together, we’ll learn how Scripture gives us language for our grief, permission to be honest with God, and the courage to bring our real emotions before Him. Lament isn’t a lack of faith—it’s an expression of it.

If you’ve ever wrestled with disappointment, unanswered prayers, or silent grief, this conversation is for you.

Join us and RSVP here:
https://www.takeheartcommunity.org/event-details/vestibulum-bibendum-tellus

Carrie M. Holt is an author, speaker, podcaster, and caregiver with nearly two decades of experience raising a child with complex medical needs. As host of This Unexpected Life, she shares stories of resilience, faith, and finding God’s presence in the midst of suffering. Carrie is the co-author of "The Other Side of Special" and has been featured on Focus on the Family, Moody Radio, Family Life Radio, and other notable platforms. With honesty and hope, she encourages others to trust God when life doesn’t turn out as expected.

03/24/2026

Grateful for the opportunity to table at the Nationwide Children’s Community Resource Fair today ❤️

To all social workers—thank you. Your dedication to helping families navigate the complexities of healthcare and chronic conditions does not go unnoticed.

If you or someone you know is walking through a life-altering diagnosis or chronic condition and could use Christian support, we’re here for you. Learn more at takeheartcommunity.org.

03/16/2026

📢Exciting News Alert! Our Care Training Platform is under construction!

Are you a pastor or ministry leader who wants to grow deeper in the ministry of care? Do you desire to cultivate a Christ-centered culture of caring for the sick and suffering in your congregation and community? Or do you know someone living with chronic illness and want to learn how to better walk alongside them?

If so, this is for you.

We’re currently developing a care training platform that will be available free to the entire Church. Any ministry or lay leader will be able to create an account and work through self-guided courses designed to strengthen compassionate, Christ-centered care.

Our first release will include eight video trainings in a series called The Essentials of Care Training. We plan to pilot this resource over the Summer.

If you’d like to learn more or stay updated as we prepare to launch, feel free to reach out!

Thank you to our wonderful partners and collaborators Tithe Foundation GP Creative Team Joel Wharton Kyle Benedetti

02/11/2026

We were so grateful for the opportunity to join River Radio and share the story of our Executive Director and the heart behind Take Heart! ❤️

If you’re walking with someone through suffering, wrestling with tough questions of faith, or simply curious about how our founder’s journey led to the start of Take Heart, this episode is for you.

Listen here: https://riverradio.com/upstream/

02/04/2026

Exciting announcement! 🎉

We’re excited to share that new Care Training opportunities are launching in 2026. These trainings are designed for anyone who desires to grow in their ability to walk faithfully and compassionately alongside those who are sick, suffering, or carrying heavy burdens. We desire to support the Church as it steps into the sacred work of caring for the sick and suffering the way Christ did—modeling His compassion, His grief, His presence, and His commitment to stay with us no matter the circumstances.

Anyone is welcome to attend - ministry and lay leaders alike! Attend yourself or refer others in your church who may benefit. ❤️

For additional information or to RSVP, please visit www.takeheartcommunity.org/training.

If you're interested in a personal care training session for your church, email [email protected].

01/26/2026

We’re incredibly grateful for the chance for our Board Vice Chair, Joel WhartonWharton, to sit down with fellow Board Member and Lead Chaplain at River Radio, Joy Tolle, for a candid conversation about how life changes after a cancer diagnosis. Joel opens up about being diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 36 years old, navigating the shock of that news alongside his wife, Kari, while raising their three young children. This podcast is an honest, moving look at the aftermath of a new diagnosis—and it’s well worth a listen.

Check it out at:https://riverradio.com/upstream/

01/20/2026

Lani 'Peterson' Kelley shares an experience many of us know too well. She describes “melting into a puddle on the floor” when she learned her mom had ovarian cancer. Less than a year later, her mom passed away. In the midst of devastating loss, Lani reflects on how God met her in her grief, providing care and comfort through deep heartbreak. To view her full video story, visit:

Lani Kelley's StoryLani Kelley of Hilliard shares an experience many of us know too well. She describes “melting into a puddle on the floor” when she learned her mom had ovarian cancer. Less than a year later, her mom passed away. In the midst of devastating loss, Lani reflects on how God met he...