St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Findlay, aims to “Love God. Love Others. Change the World.” That focus inspired the Maumee River District congregation to create a community ministry that produces quantitative results.

After reviewing reports from Hancock County agencies to understand local disparities, church members prayed and decided on a community-based mental health ministry to bridge the gap between neighbors experiencing a mental crisis and resources.

By March 2026, the county saw six deaths resulting from suicide across demographics in law enforcement, schools, and churches. Friends and family – the link between someone experiencing a mental health crisis and that individual getting help – became the target audience of this ministry.

In September, St. Mark’s, with community partners, launched the “Make It Awkward” campaign during National Suicide Prevention Month. The campaign includes a website with videos, links to organizations, mental health resources, T-shirts, events, and more. The videos demonstrate people, including farmers, students, law enforcement personnel, and bikers, having awkward conversations to show care and support.

“A few seconds of awkwardness can save someone’s life,” said the Rev. Dan Metzger, senior pastor.

The West Ohio Conference “Bishop’s Go! Grant for Social Justice and Transformation” made this effort possible.

To continue the conversation, Metzger preached a sermon series on mental health titled ”Let’s Talk About It.” In one, he pointed to Scripture relating to depression, including the books of Job and Lamentations, which he called “… a whole book of sad.”

The response to “Make It Awkward” has been overwhelmingly positive. Metzger met with a parent of a child with suicidal ideation who was grateful that mental health was being discussed and that they were not alone.

Other events took place around “Make It Awkward,” including one with John James, original lead singer of the Newsboys, who shared music and his story of addiction and recovery.

Metzger hopes that within one year, no suicides will be reported.

"A part of our Wesleyan heritage,” he said, “reminds us to do no harm and do all the good we can. Doing no harm and doing all the good you can sometimes means reaching out to others in ways that can be difficult and awkward and [being] with them when they are going through the valley of the shadow of death.”

To learn more about the “Make It Awkward” website, click here.

To see more about St. Mark’s, Findlay, and hear the sermons from September, click here.