Equip: Hope in an Anxious World
This past weekend, our church hosted a timely and meaningful event titled Equip: Hope in an Anxious World. In a cultural moment where anxiety feels like a constant undercurrent in daily life, this gathering provided something deeply needed - solid, biblical hope and practical tools for navigating worry, fear, and uncertainty.
We were honored to welcome Dr. Jim Coffield as our guest speaker. Dr. Coffield spoke from a distinctly biblical perspective, grounding his message not in trends or temporary fixes, but in the enduring truth of Scripture. His teaching reminded us that anxiety is not a new struggle unique to modern society; it is a human struggle that God’s Word speaks to with clarity, compassion, and authority.
Throughout the weekend, Dr. Coffield carefully unpacked what the Bible says about anxiety - what it is, how it affects us spiritually and physically, and most importantly, how we can respond in faith. Rather than minimizing the real weight of anxious thoughts and emotions, he acknowledged their intensity while pointing us toward lasting hope in Christ. The message was both deeply theological and profoundly practical.
The conference was exceptionally well attended, a testament to how relevant this topic is for our congregation and community. People of all ages gathered - students, parents, grandparents, and young professionals - each carrying their own questions and concerns. There was a shared sense that we were addressing something real together. The atmosphere was attentive, thoughtful, and expectant.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the weekend was the integration of art created by our own congregants. In the weeks leading up to the conference, artists from our church responded to the prompt “Anxiety,” reflecting on several Bible verses that speak to fear, peace, trust, and hope. The resulting artwork was powerful and deeply moving.
Some pieces captured the chaos and internal turbulence that anxiety can bring. Others reflected quiet surrender, depicting imagery of still waters, open hands, light breaking through darkness, or Scripture woven into visual form. Walking through the displays felt like stepping into a visual testimony of both struggle and redemption. The artwork served as a reminder that anxiety is personal and complex - but so is the grace of God.
The combination of biblical teaching and artistic expression created a rich and layered experience. We were not only taught truth; we saw it embodied. We were reminded that faith engages the whole person - heart, mind, and imagination.
Perhaps one of the most impactful outcomes of Equip was that we did not leave with abstract encouragement alone. We left with practical applications for what to do when anxiety rises. Dr. Coffield emphasized rhythms such as prayer grounded in Scripture, renewing our minds with truth rather than rehearsing fear, engaging in Christian community instead of isolating ourselves, and intentionally redirecting our thoughts toward God’s promises.
These applications were simple, but not simplistic. They were actionable steps rooted in trust - reminding us that while we may not control every circumstance, we can choose where we place our attention and hope.
It was a beautiful weekend in every sense of the word. Beautiful in the vulnerability shared. Beautiful in the art displayed. Beautiful in the truth proclaimed. And beautiful in the reminder that even in an anxious world, hope is not fragile.
Equip: Hope in an Anxious World was more than a conference. It was a call to anchor ourselves in something steady. As we move forward, may we continue to practice what we learned - meeting anxiety not with panic, but with prayer; not with despair, but with confidence in the One who holds all things together.
We are grateful for Dr. Coffield’s faithful teaching and for every person who participated, attended, and contributed. May the seeds planted this weekend continue to bear fruit in our hearts and in our community for months and years to come.