Shalom Ministries is dedicated to helping individuals and communities engage the inner cosmos—the unconscious forces within us that often remain unexamined.

Shalom Ministries was born out of my personal journey of transformation following a powerful spiritual encounter and a debilitating panic attack after the loss of a close friend during COVID. This experience led me to explore the intersection of neuroscience, therapy, and soul care, discovering the profound connection between the power of God and the workings of the parasympathetic nervous system—understanding fight, flight, and freeze responses while operating in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

In the Genesis story, both Adam and Cain struggled with facing their inner chaos. When God asked Adam, "Where are you?" Adam avoided the question and refused to confront where he truly was, hiding from his own shame and fear. This newly formed avoidant attachment to God, instead of engaging with the chaos, led to lasting consequences. Cain, too, faced inner turmoil—anger, fear, and sadness. When God invited him to face these emotions and make the unconscious conscious, Cain resisted, leading him down a path of destruction.

Shalom Ministries was created to break this pattern of avoidance in our community.

Over the past five years, I have sought a middle ground between contemplative spirituality, emotional health, and walking in the Spirit. Now, I am passionate about sharing what I learned so others can experience deep healing and wholeness through this integration of faith, mental wellness, and spiritual formation..

Chris Ratcliff is the founder of Shalom Ministries and the lead pastor of Hope Community Church in Detroit, MI. A former collegiate athlete, he played football at Wayne State University while earning his B.A. in Communication Studies. He later pursued his M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Moody Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Amanda and their four children live in Detroit, MI.