N Norfolk Baptist minister has written 41 books

Baptist Minister, Counsellor, Author, and Horse Riding Instructor, Patrick Coghlan has a real heart for mental health, which is reflected in several of his books.

Rev Coghlan is 69 years of age, a Baptist minister in the North Norfolk hamlet of Meeting Hill, a counsellor in the Aylsham Care Trust Centre, and a published author of Christian resources - including some novels. In his earlier life, he worked with horses – teaching people to ride – and still enjoys horse riding. All different ‘hats’ that he wears when he is writing.
 
Patrick recalls the time his first book was accepted for publication, “The telephone rang, just as I was about the leave for my children’s school Easter Service. It was Moorleys Print and Publishing: ‘We would like to publish your manuscript; but we want to change the title slightly.’ Fine by me! “Anytime! Chats with God.” It was just what it said on the label: a resource of informal prayers, with related thoughts and Bible verses, encouraging the reader to be confident enough to ‘chat with God’.”
 
Patrick’s early books were primarily Bible study type resources, for varying age groups – for study groups and personal use. One of his children’s resources was even translated into Ukrainian by the Ukrainian Bible Society. But, as time has passed by, he realised that the books he has been writing have progressively been written from a much stronger counselling viewpoint.
 
This trend probably began with Where is God in depression? In it, he addresses the fact that sometimes depression and anxiety can make people feel distant from God; but God understands, and there are ways of still enjoying God and feeling strengthened by him at those times.

This was the first of his books that made him feel very vulnerable, as in it he shares his own experience of living with anxiety and depression. The first chapter begins with a description of feeling overwhelmed by its onset – suddenly, acutely and seemingly for no reason. Amongst other things, he looks at overcoming fears, finding the motivation, safe places, praying when it’s difficult, and finding hope. At the end of the resource, there is a selection of prayers to match how the reader is feeling, and a mindfulness exercise – with an abundance of helpful promises from the Bible.

Healing prayer after trauma followed. It looks at the concept of traumatic events in our early childhood often affecting us long term, unless they are dealt with. Once again, Patrick opens up in this book, sharing the time when he was involved in a bicycle accident at the age of seven years old. he investigates the longer term effects; and the start of his healing prayer dialogue with God. His intention is to encourage the reader to embark on their own journey of prayer. This whole resource centres on God: looking at topics like fears, guilt, conflict, feeling worthless, belonging, and being equipped. In an epilogue, he points out that the reader might need to go through the healing process more than once… and that whatever our experiences of brokenness and healing might be, they are all unique.

Creating church at home – for those living with dementia and Creating church at home – for those living with anxiety and depression provides off the page, user friendly resources to enable a family member, friend, neighbour or carer to hold a service in the home of someone who is unable to go out to church. Being as this resource is written for a third party, the reader is encouraged to find out about the likes and dislikes of that person, in order to personalise their ‘church’ experience at home.

In Patrick’s passion for self-care, Pause for God – 366 daily moments with God urges the reader to make the time to spend with God on a daily basis… as an intrinsic part of their self-care. The cover design is the symbol found on the ‘pause’ button. It is not always easy to pause the busyness in our lives: but it is so important that we learn to do that on a regular basis.

A diary of thankfulness is based on the idea that being thankful is not only something that we should be doing because of God’s amazing generosity, but it is also helps us to feel more positive and probably helps to improve our whole physical wellbeing. Topics consist of being thankful for each new day, for God’s love, for forgiveness, for eternal hope, for family and friends, and for those who encourage us, amongst many others – 31 in total, to be precise… a whole month’s worth.

Rooted in God began as a resource on self-care, but then developed into one which led the reader towards spiritual enrichment, refreshment and self-care – all based on the Psalms and teaching of Jesus. This resource was completed in record time, during the first lockdown, coming out initially as an ebook; and later on, as a paperback. Once again this resource has an appendix consisting of an abundance of prayers, for different situations, like: coping with uncertainty, dealing with loss, for hope, and when feeling anxious or depressed.

As Patrick fast approached pensionable age, Hugs from Above was born. It explores issues involved with entering into old age and retirement; together with an abundance of prayer resources. The back cover blurb begins with: ‘Retirement and later life is not an end, but a new beginning, a chance to discover even more about yourself, your world, and the God who loves you unconditionally.’ It looks at change, facing difficulties, feelings, and praying with faith and expectation; as it examines numerous issues linked with becoming an older person. The prayer resources in this book open up the comforting Hugs from above.

Patrick’s latest Christian novel for teens and adults – Crazy about horses – draws upon his experience of working with horses and many years of riding. He really enjoyed building the different characters, making them real and believable. The book looks at issues like being the victim of bullying, broken and damaged relationships, vulnerability, being valued, helping others, making judgements on outward appearances, and pursuing hopes and dreams. And there’s lots in there about living a life of faith and informal prayer. Prayer has always been a significant part of Patrick’s books right back from "Anytime! Chats with God" – but now many of them are responses to the reader’s self-exploration.

Patrick’s latest venture, nearing completion but still awaiting a publisher is all about a lesser known Bible character. It is a fascinating story, overflowing with spiritual lessons, it demands self-examination, but also includes an abundance of significant challenges related to feelings and emotions. It is proving to be a very exciting venture. Patrick commented, “This could be one of my most significant manuscripts in terms of wearing my counsellor’s ‘hat’. I need the right publisher, who will realise both its spiritual value, but also its value as a self-help/therapeutic type of resource, written from that strong counselling perspective.”

Patrick believes in a God who loves unconditionally, heals holistically, refreshes completely, gives fresh starts spiritually, has a plan for our lives for prosperity, brings inner peace overwhelmingly, and gives hope eternally… and answers prayer consistently. Increasingly, as a counsellor, he has felt that Bible study has to include all these aspects in its outworking. God has given him a heart for people who are feeling vulnerable, abused, sad, valueless, hopeless, drained; facing trauma, loss, poor mental health, or disappointments; or unable to receive God’s abundant unconditional love, etc.

“I really feel called by God to write for him. I love writing. I still get an amazing feeling when each new book arrives through my door. I keep thinking that maybe it is time to retire from my writing career… but I still feel that God has more for me to do.”
 
Most of these books can be bought on the internet… the only one that has been mentioned by name in this article, that is now out of print, is "Anytime! Chats with God". Having said that, Patrick has copies of all his books available (usually with free postage and packing).

Patrick is available to talk to groups about his writing and to set up a bookstall of all his published books.
Please feel free to contact Patrick on patrick@acsmail.net for enquiries, bookings and orders.

The pictures are courtesy of Patrick Coghlan.

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