Launch Aaron's Mission

Last week, I wound up in a psychiatric unit where I stayed for four days.

Let me back up.

After 15 years of ministry, I felt a little burned out when I returned to Missouri in October of 2015.  Since then, I have learned a lot about what I am not good at.  All the while (and long before), I tried to hide the fact that I struggled with major depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide.  You see, I was always too ashamed to tell anyone that me, a pastor, needed help.  All of that came to a head one Saturday afternoon when my loving wife took me to the ER and they admitted me for a few days.

It was there that I learned that my mental health can be taken care of with the right medication and the right therapy.  I had some great talks with the staff pyschologist, nurses, general practitioner, and psychiatrist and came out with a great plan for my overall health.

So what now???

This has been a question that has plagued me for a year, but after several conversations with friends and family, I came up with a wild idea.

I want to write a book (another one).  This one will be non-fiction.  It will be the story of my struggles both with Kallmann's Syndrome and with Major Depressive Disorder.  I also want to talk to as many people as possible, because NOBODY should go along being ashamed of asking for help.  I was so ashamed for years that it almost killed me.

So here is my plan:

Over the next 6 months, I want to work full-time on this project by:
1)  Writing this book.
2) Increasing my public speaking schedule
3) Becoming certified through the John Maxwell team

After that, I will launch my dream of speaking on a national circuit and distributing my book with the hopes that many that remain silent about their struggles will get the help they need.

Here is the money I need for this project:
$21000  - allows me to make this a full time effort for the next 6 months
$5000 - To get all the John Maxwell curriculum that will teach me exactly how to launch a national speaking career
$1400 - To attend the mandatory conference in order to be certified by the Maxwell team.
$4000 - To buy up enough of the published books to take them on the road.

How soon do I need this money?
Ideally, I need to hit these milestones
By November -$8500
By December - $12000
By January - $15500
By February - $20400
By March - $31400

This is more than just me chasing a dream.  This is a chance to change hundreds if not thousands of lives.  I will be forever thankful (see Reward levels)

How do you know I will use this money appropriately?
I will post weekly updates so that you can see where I am on my training and my writing!

Chances are you know someone that struggles in silence with a mental disorder.  Your participation in this project is a chance to help them.