Interview with Bryan Cerrone: Embers of Hope

Why this topic? Why now?

I went through seasons of depression and serious trials in life and I wanted to support others facing similar struggles. Writing has been a way for me to process my emotions, and I felt a calling to use this ability to help others. When I realized that there was something bigger here than just a journal entry I was writing, I knew that the time was now. I am deeply moved by the loss of lives to depression, especially within the church, and want to convey that Jesus cares. Although I wish I had started earlier, I believe in God's timing and felt compelled to obey the Holy Spirit's guidance to undertake this project.

What was the writing process like for this book?

The book began as a journal entry in August 2023, inspired by a nudge from God to continue writing. Over four nights, I completed nearly all of the book, but paused due to the busyness of life, including full-time ministry and raising five children. Encouraged by a persistent friend, I finished the rest around the holidays. Although submitting the manuscript was a rewarding moment, the subsequent editing process was challenging and required a lot of attention to detail. Despite these difficulties, the writing process was healing and spiritually fulfilling, and allowed me to reflect on my past and explore the Bible characters I was writing about. I am grateful for the support of my family and friends who encouraged me to keep going when things were difficult.

What have you learned as you’ve written?

Writing this book deepened my understanding of the Bible, despite already being a pastor with seminary training. I discovered new insights by taking a slower, more detailed approach to studying biblical characters, contrasting this with the often-rushed reading habits encouraged in church culture. Through this process, I felt ministered to by the Holy Spirit, who reminded me that God has historically used people struggling with mental challenges, such as anxiety and depression, to accomplish great things.

What do you want people to walk away with?

I have three main goals for this book: to initiate a conversation about depression, mental illness, and faith in Jesus, to demonstrate that God can use people powerfully despite their emotional struggles and to help readers rekindle a love for the Bible. I want them know three things:

1. You can be a devoted follower of Jesus and still struggle with depression or emotional challenges, which is not a sign of weak faith.
2. The people in the Bible were just like us. Many of them struggled with the emotional up and downs you and I do. If God can use them in mighty and extraordinary ways, then He can use you and I as well.
3. Never lose hope—each day is a new opportunity, and even a small ember of faith can be rekindled by God into a passionate fire for life and His purposes.

What’s your dream for this book?

I hope it sparks ongoing conversations within the Christian community about topics like depression, which have often been considered taboo. My dream is for this book to be the start of something greater, and I’d love to continue writing about faith and everyday experiences. By being fully transparent and vulnerable, I want to break down barriers for others who are struggling, encouraging a culture of honesty rather than the facade of "having it all together." I believe that fostering transparency allows God to work beautifully in people's lives.