Elijah’s Tree exist to provide rest and retreat to people in ministry, so they can Renew their relationship with God, Restore their spiritual, mental and physical being, and Return to their calling. If you know of someone who could use this, please click the “contact us” tab. The last Thursday of the month, we like to highlight a person in ministry, who has a testimony or wisdom in the area of stress and burnout. This week we are blessed to have Tripp Kerth guest post. I met Tripp while ministering to “at risk” teens in Missouri several years ago. Since then, he has followed the Lord’s calling to Texas, and now Oregon. Without a doubt, I know you will be blessed by his post!
Hey Everyone,
My name is Tripp Kerth and I work for CRU, the US ministry for Campus Crusade for Christ. My wife, Brook, and I labor at Oregon State University. We love our jobs and it has been such a blessing to be on the front lines at a major University getting to share Christ with students. One of the potential pitfalls of our jobs though can definitely be burnout. With a campus of over 28,000 students there is never a shortfall of appointments we could make with students. During my first year on campus, I wanted it to seem like I was a hard worker and doing the best work that I could. God did some amazing things that first year.
However, most days after work I would come home feeling completely exhausted. I knew something had to change. One of the first things I realized I wasn’t doing that first year was counting my hours. Our job requires forty hours a week. That first year I was just so excited to go out and do ministry that it did not even click for me that I needed to slow down some. Another thing I realized I needed to do was turn work off outside of those forty hours. I didn’t need to respond to every text and get back to every call as soon as it happened. It was very hard for me at first and took a lot of self-control. I even removed the email application off of my phone, which has been a huge help in that I am not checking it all the time which was a great deal of stress for me.
Lastly, I have realized the importance of getting away from time to time. It’s so beneficial for Brook and I to take a little weekend getaway every now and then to feel rejuvenated and refreshed. When we take time to intentionally do this, I feel so much more energized to do my job. My stress level is low and I am very much operating out of the Holy Spirit instead of my own.
It’s scary to hear how many of those in ministry struggle with burnout, which can lead to so many detrimental effects such as health problems and moral failures. That’s why I think it’s so grate what the Lockey’s are doing. They see the need for a safe place for those in ministry to retreat to get that refreshment and nourishment through resting in our Savior. I just wish we didn’t live across the country from them! I still struggle with overworking at times and am far from perfect in the area. Thankfully the Lord has shown me grace here with His gentle nudges and lets me know that I can come to Him when I am weary and heavy laden and he can give me the deep rest my soul so desperately needs.
~ Tripp
Thank you Tripp. You definitely have words of wisdom. If you are considering supporting Elijah’s Tree, we are a 501(c)3 charity utilizing 100% volunteer efforts. This means your donation will be completely funding the ministry, and retreats for those in ministry facing stress and burnout. If anyone would like to add anything to the conversation, please feel free to join in. If you haven’t signed up for our newsletter, you can do so at the lower right side of our blog, or mid left side of www.facebook.com/elijahstree3. Thank you everyone for all your prayers, and as always, To God be the Glory!