Written by Tanya Terry, with photos provided by Crystal Harris
The Night of Worship is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, November 15 at Every Nation Church, in downtown Flint. The event is intended to provide our community with an opportunity to collectively inhale and exhale together in the presence of God.
Crystal Harris is CEO of Sound Mind Health Services, an outpatient, mental health clinic. It is primarily virtual, but providers also see patients in person on Thursdays. The clinic was launched two years ago on October 10, which coincidentally is World Mental Health Day. Sound Mind provides psychotherapy and the prescribing of psychotropic medications. According to Harris, the clinic’s three-prong approach to treatment is “caring, compassionate and confidential.”
Harris told the Courier the Night of Worship is strategically scheduled after the election in hopes the community can reunify around faith and family before going into the holiday hustle and bustle.
“I’m a Flintstone; I was born and raised here,” said Harris. “So, I have a pretty good pulse on the triumphs and parils of our community. As I have observed the mental health landscape of our community pre and post COVID, I just recognize the collective need for everyone to pause and breathe. We talk a lot about coping mechanisms, mindfulness and deep breathing. In regards to the Night of Worship, I don’t know any better place for people to gather and catch their breath.”
That, coupled with her own personal experiences over the past few years inspired the Night of Worship.
Harris’ husband died due to colorectal cancer in December of last year.
“That was the primary trial. But, it was not happening in isolation. There were other things going on. I was caring for my mom at the time as well. My mother had necrotizing fascitis and had upwards of 13 surgeries. So, at the same time I was caring for my husband, I was caring for my mom. His treatments were in Chicago. So, we were back and forth with then a 3-year-old. I was caring for my mother, caring for our household and launching a business. It was a very weighty season in my life. The mental and emotional pressure I experienced is difficult to even articulate. It was just the grace of God that carried me through that time.”
Harris shared realized it wasn’t just her.
“It was widespread suffering, hardship, lifing…It brought us to this place where I felt life knocked the wind out of a lot of people in our community.”
Harris’ mother is now doing quite well.
“My mom is recovering from something we really didn’t think she would have bounced back from. I am grateful to at least have her still with us.”
Although Harris’ husband died, Harris said she is confident “he wanted us to live,” which gives her inner drive and desire to press forward with their child.
“I would do what I call my walkie-talkies with God, and towards the end of my journey in caring for my husband, it became evident to me that if God did not intervene we would face an inevitable fate. With that, I started to add addendums to my prayers. I started to ask God that if you’re not going to answer me in the way that I want, at least don’t let it be wasted. Don’t let the tears, don’t let the pain, don’t let the miles across the road to Chicago, don’t let the treatments, don’t let his passing be wasted. Don’t let it be for nothing.
“I believe God has answered that prayer from the time of his passing, to his funeral service. Literally, every day since then, I’ve gotten little red crowns of God’s faithfulness…I’ll have to write about it in a book to chronicle everything God has done.”
Harris’ husband was an engineer.
“He was a genius, easily one of the top five smartest people that I’ve ever known. He loved his profession. He attended Focus Hope, which is a technical school in Detroit, where he’s from.”
It has been Harris’ heart to create a memorial scholarship fund to help support another engineering student or student pursuing another type of technical career.
During the Night of Worship, the memorial scholarship fund will be announced.
“We will also be accepting donations for those who want to contribute to his lasting legacy. If participants give a donation of $10 or more, they will receive a memorial keychain that has his name and – he was a car lover. He loved classic cars. So, that will be their token of appreciation.”
Harris is one of the worship leaders at Every Nation Church.
According to Harris, a Night of Worship is going to be “a very organic opportunity for people to just come and receive” with music and worship.
“It will be a very organic opportunity to experience freedom and liberty in the presence of God. You can come comfortable. Bring your kids. We’ll have refreshments served afterwards. It’s going to be one of those liberating environments when you can leave your burdens there and catch your breath.”
Regarding the mental health aspect of the event, Harris said “pain in unavoidable.”
“It’s the one thing that ties all humanity together. I would also add that purpose is possible for pain. It’s possible to go through painful experiences and still come out purposeful and hopeful and even joyful, with a heart that is geared in facing forward.”
