This pastor was well-known for advocating Mental Health issues, though he tragically took his own life on Monday. Harvest Christian Fellowship Church pastor Jarrid Wilson has been preaching at Harvest for about 18 months, where he was a vocal advocate of mental health and helping those struggling with substance abuse.
Wilson was 30 years old, and is survived by his wife July and their two sons.
Wilson’s Struggle
Jarrid Wilson was very open about his struggles with depression, often preaching about them and speaking publicly about his battle. He wrote on Twitter shortly before his death “Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure suicidal thoughts.” He continued, “But that doesn’t mean Jesus doesn’t offer us companionship and comfort.”
Wilson’s youthful and progressive viewpoints were refreshing to members of Harvest Church, located in Southern California. His stance on mental health and helping those with substance abuse issues were his main focus when preaching, and he often spoke on the healing power of religion.
The Last Word
Wilson’s wife, July, had touching words to say on Instagram following the news. “I love you forever, Thomas Jarrid Wilson, but I have to say that you being gone has completely ripped my heart out of my chest. Suicide doesn’t get the last word. I won’t let it.”
Wilson is also survived by his and July’s two sons, Finch and Denham. Harvest Church head pastor Greg Laurie stated that Wilson was a genuinely good person, and “always serving and helping others.” Laurie continued, “Sometimes people may think that as pastors or spiritual leaders we are somehow above the pain and struggles of everyday people,” the pastor admitted.
“We are the ones who are supposed to have all the answers. But we do not.”
If You’re Hurting, Reach Out
Life is difficult, and mental health isn’t something you can handle on your own. Maybe you feel hopeless, or maybe you’re just not sure what the answers are. If you’re hurting, or feeling alone and distant, reach out. Even if you feel like no one cares, that’s not true. You can reach the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
