Episode 4 (Season 2) Walking with Christ through Bipolar I Disorder Guest: Paul Miller

About our Guest:
Upon graduating from Westminster Theological Seminary, Paul Miller served seven years as the founding RUF Campus Minister at Texas A&M—Corpus Christi. During his time there, he was invited to join a local prison ministry. Though he was very anxious at the thought of entering a maximum-security prison, he was excited about the opportunity to share the gospel with those incarcerated. Upon his first visit, Paul’s heart was filled with the love of God for prisoners. Inmates immediately responded to him, asking him to return to preach in their chapel services whenever possible. Paul found that inmates were quick to open up to him, seeking his counsel on how to have a closer walk with the LORD. He wondered if God may be calling him into full-time prison ministry.

After much counsel and prayer, in 2019, Paul decided to accept the call to be the first Regional Director for Metanoia Prison Ministries in Texas. The Miller’s are very excited for the opportunity to share the glorious gospel of Christ’s saving grace throughout the prisons in Texas. Paul believes that his life, with all of its highs and lows, victories and struggles, has prepared him to minister in the very difficult environment of prisons.

Paul and Laura met in Dallas marrying in 2003. Jack came along in 2009 and is their greatest blessing. The Miller’s enjoy vacations at the beach, good movies, and walking the neighborhood with their dog, Thomas. In addition to his love for the Cowboys and playing chess, Paul is a foodie who loves to cook and enjoys sharing meals with friends and family. Laura enjoys caring for the family, helping Paul with the ministry, and creative DIY projects in her spare time. Jack keeps his parents entertained with all his creative endeavors, whether it’s a written story or an iMovie. Jack also enjoys scouts, choir, orchestra, his friends, and two guinea pigs.

About the Host:
A graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mark Davis came to PCPC as our Youth Pastor in 2003 and became our Senior Pastor in 2009. He and his bride, Kristina, met at a Young Life Camp in 1988 and have five amazing kids, Kara (and husband, Drew), Madalyn (and husband, Jack), Cayden, Esther Kate, & Samuel. Mark is a closet Architect and fountain pen apologist…don’t get him started!

About the Episode:
Join us to hear Paul’s powerful story of living with Bipolar Disorder Type 1. His compelling testimony gives hope to anyone who is walking through a similar diagnosis as well as compassion to any struggle, seen or unseen.

Resources:
If you would like to reach out to Paul regarding this episode, his email is pwmiller078@gmail.com

To learn more about Paul’s current vocation at Metanoia Prison Ministries, please visit metanoiaprisonministries.org. This organization’s mission is to engage, educate, and equip the Church for the discipleship, mentoring, and reintegration of prisoners.

Key Quotes:
“We wouldn’t criticize someone with cancer… do we have that attitude about mental illness?” - Paul Miller

“If you do not deal with it, it will kill you.” – Paul Miller

“God has not wasted your story.” - Mark Davis

“If you will take that step out of the darkness of isolation, you will find that God will meet you there. And God will meet you there with His people and God will meet you there with a means of grace. And there is healing and there is restoration.” – Paul Miller

Verses:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9