Author Ron Hutchcraft provides guidance for individuals struggling with grief, depression and mental health impact of pandemic
EUGENE, Ore., Jan. 7, 2021 – In his first book in more than a decade, Ron Hutchcraft, veteran ministry leader, radio broadcaster, speaker, founder and president of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries and On Eagles' Wings Native American youth outreach, is offering a timely message of hope for everyone who has experienced the hardships of 2020 in “Hope When Your Heart is Breaking: Finding God’s Presence in Your Pain,” releasing today from Harvest House Publishers.
After serving in ministry and life together with his wife and partner Karen for over 50 years, Ron Hutchcraft was devastated in 2016 when she died of a sudden heart attack. Reeling from the loss, he turned to God for strength and comfort, but found the hope to move forward despite the circumstances. He now shares those lessons with readers of all ages and walks, no matter the tragedy or loss they may be experiencing. The book comes highly recommended, with a foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada and endorsements from the likes of Josh McDowell, Bob Lepine, Joe Battaglia, Janet Parshall, Jerry Jenkins and Will Graham.
“By the nature of my people-helping life’s work, I’ve walked with many through their dark valleys – jobs, marriage, divorce, children, faith, failure, heartbreak – and yes, grief. And I’ve learned about hope what only real life can teach,” Hutchcraft writes. “For hope to overcome despair in life’s dark valleys, it has to be something more than the syrupy, unanchored variety usually offered to us. The hope needs to be as real as the hurt, as strong as the grief and as compelling as the fear. . . down-to-earth practical and real.”
Hutchcraft offers practical suggestions for those who may be struggling with despair while alienated from others. Even if a journal is the only recourse, he recommends giving sorrow words, as Shakespeare so eloquently suggested. “Communicate your grief somehow. At least write it down,” Hutchcraft said. “If you stuff it, it will compound and morph and be ugly.”
He also advises finding ways to serve people in need. “A broken heart is an open heart,” he explains, sharing how his grief made him more aware of others in emotional pain and more compassionate toward them. “This seems strange when you're fighting for emotional survival, but look for people who need you. Seek out ways to provide random acts of kindness or volunteer for a charity – even if you don't feel like doing it,” he adds. “Helping other people in their pit will encourage you.”
Hutchcraft has recorded several 60-second PSAs for radio, to provide encouragement for listeners dealing with grief and loss during these times. Those are available for download via AmBos: Ron Hutchcraft Ministries/AWordWithYou/HopeWhenYourHeartIsBreaking (If you need an Amb-OS FTP login, email ftp@amb-os.com to request one); or online at https://radio.hutchcraft.com/downloads/hope-psas
Editor’s Note: For more information, visit https://hopewhenyourheartisbreaking.com/ and for media resources, visit https://alarryross.com/hope-when-your-heart-is-breaking. Give-away copies may also be available for outlets conducting interviews, upon request.
About Ron Hutchcraft
Ron Hutchcraft is a passionate and contemporary evangelist, speaker, author and radio host. As President of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, he and his team specialize in developing authentic, relevant, and creative tools to, as Hutchcraft says, "Bring the lost to the Cross." For more than 30 years, he has been a part of people's daily lives through his popular radio program. "A Word With You®," heard across the country and broadcast internationally in the five most-spoken languages in the world.
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“Hope When Your Heart Is Breaking” by Ron Hutchcraft
Available: Jan. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-73698-141-5
Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge, 214-912-8934
melany@alarryross.com