WKRN: Nashville counselors visit Asheville with support from Covenant School students

WKRN by: Peyton Kennedy

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Posted: Nov 7, 2024 / 11:54 AM CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A group of Nashville-based counselors took their skills to Asheville, North Carolina, helping families heal in the aftermath of September’s devastating floods.

The team of eight from Daystar Counseling Ministries worked with about 100 children throughout the region, as well as their parents. Over the course of about four days, they led several group therapy sessions.

“Exploring their trauma, what they lived through, how resilient they are, what their view of the future is,” said Don Logan, a counselor with Daystar, speaking on the group therapy sessions.

Logan said many of the people they met had been out volunteering, helping pick up the pieces.

“It became a, ‘You’ve helped and that is wonderful, and you’re going to continue to help, but now how can you provide care for yourself?'” said Logan.

Among their missions, Daystar Counseling Ministries also helps support families impacted by the Covenant School shooting. The Covenant School had their students write words of encouragement for the counselors to deliver to children in Asheville.

“Many of them came from really the adolescents we serve who have also been through trauma, so to see their response and their resilience and their health kind of boosted us as we took off,” said Logan.

It was a message on resilience, echoed by those who have learned the power of perseverance firsthand.

One of the cards reads, “I know what change feels like, but I also know what God’s love feels like.” Another says, “There is something I learned to do when I feel sad. Breathe in through your nose and think about something good.”

As therapy is a long term plan, Logan noted the families they worked with will have help connecting with a full-time counselor in their community.

In Loving Memory of Herb Kneeland

Herbert Durward Kneeland III
February 15, 1944 - September 28, 2024

Herb was a beloved friend & volunteer extraordinaire at Daystar. He owned property across the street from the little yellow house for many years. One day, Herb wandered over and in no time, he became an unofficial staff member…our (volunteer!) handyman and friend. Herb could fix anything and if you were lucky enough to catch him in the middle of a job, he’d teach you, too. Sometimes he would bring his grandkids along on the job and soon the Kneeland and Jones families became a part of the Daystar family, too. His granddaughters Mallory and Courtney Jones are Hopetown interns, carrying on the beautiful legacy Herb began. Whether it was coming up early to Hopetown “Work Days” to get the property ready for retreats…Inspiring staff members to become avid hikers in his footsteps…or giving generously of his time, money and talents…Herb and his wife Judy have left an irreplaceable mark on Daystar!

We are honored to receive gifts in his memory. Read more about his life below.

Herb, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 28, 2024. Herb lived a full and joy filled life, centered around his deep faith, his love for his family, and his sincere heart for serving others. He also loved his country deeply, proudly serving in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy Kneeland, his children- Matt Kneeland (Gwinn) and Kristen Kneeland Jones (Tony). He was also a proud and loving grandfather to Hew, Eleanor, Herb, Henry, and Emilyn Kneeland, and Mallory, Courtney, and Jeremiah Jones.

Herb always enjoyed time spent outdoors appreciating God's creation. Later in life, he developed a deep passion for hiking. He enjoyed exploring trails in and outside of Tennessee and completed his goal of hiking the Appalachian Trail. He spent many hours dedicated to caring for local hiking trails through various organizations including Friends of Warner Parks.

His greatest passion in life was helping anyone in need. Whether it was giving a ride, repairing broken bikes, a handyman project at Daystar Counseling Ministries, serving communion to someone who was homebound, or building something he designed from scratch, he never hesitated to serve others.

Herb was a long-time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where he served for many years as an elder. His wisdom, humble leadership, and grace filled spirit will be remembered by all who knew him.

A service will be held by the family to celebrate Herb's life at 1:00 p.m. on October 2, 2024 at Covenant Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or Daystar Counseling Ministries.

Hopetown Highlights - Retreat #7

“I may not be in awe yet, but today I will get up with fresh strength and run, walk, and soar like an eagle.” 

We had the best time with our 7th and 8th grade friends at Hopetown this week! We kicked off the week watching a movie most of us had never seen: Eddie the Eagle. Based on a true story, Eddie had spent his whole life dreaming of competing in the Olympics. Everyone he met said he couldn’t do it, but he proved them wrong. 

Eddie came in last place, but he celebrated as if he had won the gold! We learned from Eddie that we have to let go of being the best and learn to be our best. Life is not about competing with others. It is our race to run!

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. 

- 1 Corinthian 9:24-27

When we asked the campers what ways they wanted to be like Eddie, this is what they said:

• Brave

• Not afraid of failure

• Determined

• Good mindset

• Not focused on the negative

• Confident in what I believe in 

• Willing to apologize

Eddie found joy in other’s success which is hard to do! Eddie encouraged all of us to be like an eagle. Eagles have amazing eyesight and are able to see the big picture. Eagles remind us to look up! Eagles don’t fight back; they soar above. 

As the week went on, the middle schoolers were able to give out beads to one another, encouraging them in what qualities they saw in one another. The beads were:

JOYFUL - Romans 12:12

PATIENT - Romans 12:12

HUMBLE & GENTLE - Ephesians 4:2

KIND & COMPASSIONATE - Ephesian 4:32

FORGIVING - Ephesians 4:32

STRONG & COURAGEOUS - Joshua 1:9

QUICK TO LISTEN - James 1:19

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “GOD has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? GOD doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He's the Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, and gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

-Isaiah 40:27-31

By trusting in God, we receive fresh strength to help us soar like eagles. Eagles have amazing eye sight; they’re able to see the big picture and the details. We look down so often, but throughout the week we encouraged kids to have an eagle eye and look up!

We have a sense of awe when we look up. Let us be in awe. 

Each day we focused on a new word, and a word we all really felt connected to is, “yet.” Yet gives us hope amidst the pain and allows the pain to not consume us. In our pain we can experience God’s love in a deeper way. Yet keeps us looking up!

Sometimes we sing of His promises when we haven’t yet experienced them. 

We asked the kids what gives them hope and this what they said:

• When someone shares their struggles.

• When someone relates to me. 

• When people respond to what I’ve said.

• Knowing this group has my back.

• When someone acknowledges the pain. 

We were able to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas together too! Throughout Thanksgiving we got to connect further with each other and share our struggles and what we’re grateful for. 

Then, Christmas came! Each kid and intern got the name of someone and was given three dollars. We went antique shopping and everyone found a gift for their secret Santa that reminded them of that person. 

It was so moving to see what gift was selected for each person. We had such a sweet time celebrating our Risen Savior and each other! 

Melissa wrapped up the week with this phrase, 

“I may not be in awe yet, but today I will get up with fresh strength and run, walk, and soar like an eagle.” 

We are excited to see how our middle school friends soar like eagles with fresh strength throughout the year, searching for awe and yet in their stories.

Hopetown Highlights - Retreat #6

“Aslan is on the move!”

Boy, was this week one we will remember for a long time. We can confidently say that Aslan was on the move- we saw him in the smiles of our 5th and 6th-grade friends, heard him in the worship each evening, and felt him in the gentle breeze blowing over the lake. We got to experience the magic of Narnia for ourselves and discover the wonder and adventure of life through the wardrobe.

We began our week watching The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, a Hopetown favorite. Our first morning, we discussed how we were all going to change by the end of the week, just like the children in the movie were transformed.

Then, each camper got to stand up and say, “I want to go through the wardrobe into Hopetown.”

Their buddies crowned them with a star necklace and told them what they had seen in them already as a way to welcome them into Hopetown! In small groups, the campers got to lay their star necklaces on the cross to symbolize laying their identity down at the feet of Jesus and saying, “Jesus, this is your week. Change me.”

The next morning, we moved towards self-awareness. We learned about how all of the characters had negative qualities that could rise up in them. Sometimes, we feel things rise up in us and we don’t know where they come from. It is good to be aware of the sins we struggle with, but we also remember that we are not condemned.

For example:

Peter can be prideful and a know-it-all.

- Proverbs 3:5-7

Susan can be controlling and anxious.

- Philippians 4:6-7

Edmund can be unaware and selfish.

- Romans 8:5-6

Lucy can be sulky and self-conscious.

- Psalms 42:5

Tumnus can be sneaky and manipulative.

- Romans 3:27-28

Mr. Beaver can be angry and a show-off.

- Colossians 3:15-16

Mrs. Beaver can be resentful and jealous.

- Luke 12:29-32

We had time to share what character’s struggles we identify with the most. Then once again, we went with our small groups to the cross and laid rocks with our sins written on them at the foot of the cross. The good news is Jesus took their weight from us when he died for our sins!

The next day, we had the opportunity to share our pain that can act like coats, blocking our way through the wardrobe. God can use whatever has been painful in our stories for a purpose, so we once again took it to the cross. We laid our pain down at the foot of the cross, asking Jesus to carry it for us.

In small groups, campers got the chance to hear the Gospel from their buddies, ask questions, and even give their whole lives to Christ! It was evident that God was on the move in and through these kids. Their insight and depth was astounding, and God used them to teach us all so much about his character. We are so thankful to have had another amazing week here at Hopetown!

Hopetown Highlights - Retreat #5

“Yes Lord, I am here!”

This week we got the joy of hosting a group of 2nd through 4th graders here at Hopetown. It was a week full of energy and excitement and depth. These kids were eager to give, quick to respond, and ready to hear God’s word.

We started off the week talking about our purpose. We learned about how King Josiah had such a purpose when he was only eight years old (2 Kings 22:1-2, 23:25). Everyone got to stand up and say, “I have purpose!” It was so neat to start off our week with a declaration of truth. Each camper got to hear from their buddies about what specific purpose was seen in them in just the few hours they had been at camp.

The next morning, we got to read the story of Samuel in the Jesus Storybook Bible. Samuel’s response to God’s calling was “Yes Lord I am here!” God calls each of our names in the same way- we just have to listen to Him! Then, each camper got a miniature backpack with their name on it. Inside the backpacks was a mini passport. The passport symbolizes how God calls our names and give us purpose to go anywhere because we are His!

Each backpack also included small heart-shaped rocks. We learned a lot about how God can take our hard hearts and give us new ones because he made us for something better than living with a heart of stone. Some examples of hard hearts we can have are:

• Rigid Heart

• Demanding Heart

• Show Off Heart

• Money Heart

• Know It All Heart

• Anxious Heart

• Controlling Heart

• Complaining Heart

• Bored Heart

We read Ezekiel 36:26 and were reminded of how God gives us new hearts. Then we got to throw our old hard heart rocks into the lake and our buddies gave us new hearts. God does the same thing for each of us everyday, all the time!

This week, Melissa taught us that there are three things Jesus likes to hear:

• Thank you.

• I am glad you are my friend.

• I love you.

We got to practice thanking God each day by sharing what we are thankful for with the group. We also got the opportunity to give beads to our friends to celebrate what kind of heart we have seen in them. The beads this week were:

Ready-to-Go Heart

Like Samuel in 1 Samuel 3

Big Heart

Like Josiah in 2 Kings 22:2-25

Giving Heart

Like the little boy that shared his lunch in John 6:8

Loving Heart

Like King David in 1 Samuel 16

Forgiving Heart

Like the servant girl in 2 Kings 5

Trusting Heart

Like the little children that came to Jesus in Matthew 19

Brave Heart

Like Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:6

It is one of our favorite ways to end the day and it could be such a fun practice to start with your family. We are so thankful for this kind, compassionate group of 2nd through 4th graders who taught us all about joy and child-like faith!