Equipping Pastors, Spouses, and Churches for Soul Health
Biblically Grounded • Spirit-Led • Research-Informed
Where Our Mission Flows From
Just as a waterfall continually renews the waters below, the mission of Crowned Warrior Leadership Institute™ flows from a deep and unending source—faith in Christ and a calling to serve those who lead His Church. Born from both lived ministry experience and the findings of Dr. Giovy Sanders’ 2025 doctoral dissertation, Exploration of Church of God Clergy’s Mental Health Referral Processes: A Qualitative Approach, the Institute responds to an urgent need for biblically grounded, Spirit-led, and research-informed tools to sustain the emotional and spiritual health of pastors, ministry spouses, and congregations. Everything we do is rooted in this conviction: healthy shepherds build healthy flocks.
At the heart of our work is the belief that much of what hinders leaders is rooted in unresolved trauma. Through candid, guided conversations and practical training, we help pastors confront the patterns, wounds, and pressures that silently shape their ministry and personal life. While we are not a counseling center, our approach is holistic—bringing together a team of professionals, from life coaches to movement specialists, to address the many layers of a leader’s health. This integration of spiritual insight, mental health awareness, and whole-person care fosters an environment where lasting healing can take root.
Founded by Dr. Giovy Sanders, Crowned Warrior Leadership Institute™ is the culmination of more than a decade of research in ministry leadership and mental health among clergy. Dr. Sanders’ mission is to equip both current clergy and those preparing for ministry with the training they need to navigate the weight of leadership while safeguarding the mental health of pastors and their families. A 20-year U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard veteran, Dr. Sanders brings organizational leadership expertise and pastoral insight to her work. Her unique blend of military discipline, academic research, and Spirit-led ministry enables her to speak with both authority and empathy into the challenges facing today’s church leaders and congregations.
Our Services
Equipping pastors, ministry leaders, and church staff with biblically grounded, research-informed strategies for sustaining emotional and spiritual health. Workshops are tailored to address the unique challenges of leadership while building resilience, clarity, and healthy boundaries.
Helping the whole church body understand the importance of soul health and practical ways to support one another. These sessions foster awareness, compassion, and unity, creating a culture where emotional and spiritual needs can be addressed without stigma.
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🔹Pricing varies based on scope and setting.
Each training or speaking engagement is uniquely designed to meet the needs of your ministry context. Services are customized and quoted accordingly after a consultation.
Delivering keynote messages, breakout sessions, and conference talks on the intersection of mental health and Christianity. These presentations offer both scriptural insight and real-world application, encouraging the Church to be a place of restoration for all.
RELEASE DATE DECEMBER 2025
Drawing from her 2025 doctoral research, Dr. Giovy Sanders introduces the Clergy Mental Health Referral Process™—a seven-phase framework designed specifically for pastors and ministry leaders. This practical, biblically grounded guide equips you to recognize when spiritual struggles may also have emotional roots, determine when a referral to a mental health professional is needed, and walk alongside congregants through the process.
Blending real-life ministry stories, reflection questions, and research-backed strategies, Navigating the Maze is more than a resource—it’s a lifeline for pastors, ministry spouses, and church leaders committed to caring well for both their flock and themselves.
You’ll Learn How To:
Identify emotional and mental health needs in a ministry context.
Discern the pastoral role versus professional mental health care.
Make confident, compassionate referrals that honor both faith and psychology.
Support ministry spouses and families often overlooked in church care models.
Strengthen your own soul health to lead with resilience.
Navigating The Maze of Mental Health and Ministry
Navigating The Maze of Mental Health and Ministry
Dissertation full title:
Exploration of Church of God Clergy’s Mental Health Referral Processes: A Qualitative Approach
If you would like to purchase a copy of my dissertation, please follow this link:
ProQuest Dissertations Express
If you would like to view a copy of my dissertation, please visit this link:
ProQuest | Better research, better learning, better insights.
Ministry is a calling—but it’s also a maze. Between spiritual needs, emotional struggles, and the weight of leadership, pastors face challenges that can’t be solved by prayer alone. This book is your guide to navigating the intersection of faith and mental health with wisdom, clarity, and grace.
“We must not let fear dictate our actions but rather let our actions silence our fears.”
