A Calling to Care: The Story of One Lamb

by diane moffett

In 2019, a family at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church (PRUMC) faced an overwhelming challenge. A PRUMC teenage child needed urgent mental health treatment, but the financial strain made it nearly impossible for the family. Moved by compassion, a group of friends quietly came together, pooling their resources to provide anonymous donations. From this act of generosity, The One Lamb Fund was born—a fund dedicated to ensuring that this PRUMC family would have what they needed to navigate this hardship.

Among the contributors was Diane Moffett, who felt a deep and undeniable calling—a “God nudge.” Financial assistance was critical, but it was only one piece of a much larger puzzle. She realized that individuals and families battling mental health struggles or addiction needed more than just financial relief. They needed:

Education – To understand the science behind mental health challenges.
Connection – To recognize their worth in God’s eyes.
Support – To find a compassionate, accepting faith community that could offer resources and understanding.

At the same time, in February 2019, Rev. Bill Britt was preparing to be away for three weeks. In an act of providence, he decided to dedicate those Sundays to sermons on mental wellness, delivered by Rev. Jamie Jenkins, Rev. Larry Adams, and Rev. Ron Greer. Jamie’s powerful and vulnerable testimony about his wife’s journey through depression left a lasting impact on the congregation. Larry offered an insightful sermon on anxiety, and Ron equipped listeners with essential tools for mental well-being.

These moments planted a seed—one that would soon grow into something far greater than anyone imagined.

The Birth of One Lamb

When the pandemic struck, it became undeniably clear that mental wellness had to be a central focus within faith communities. With guidance from Bill Britt and Ron Greer, Diane began reaching out, engaging in deep conversations inside and outside the church, seeking wisdom and direction.

After months of planning, discussion, and prayer, The One Lamb Initiative was officially launched in September 2020.

On that September morning, Diane practiced her proposal and vision with her “Family Builders” Sunday School class. Later that afternoon, she hosted One Lamb’s first Zoom meeting—and many of the people who attended that initial gathering remain key members of the team today.

From that moment on, the initiative gained momentum:

A logo was created to represent the mission.
A dedicated webpage on the PRUMC site was launched, offering support and resources.
The One Lamb website (www.1lamb.org) was developed to provide in-depth resources on mental health.
Friend to Friend was created to confidentially pair someone currently experiencing crisis for themselves or for their loved one with someone who has gone through the same challenge.

The website became a hub of hope, featuring upcoming programming and six core topics—anxiety, depression, suicide, addiction, trauma, and self-care—each enriched with personal testimonies, expert interviews, devotionals, book reviews, videos, and educational content.

The PRUMC congregation responded with overwhelming support. They attended programs, utilized the resources, and gave generously. Even without an official church budget at the start, donations continued to flow in, ensuring that there were no financial obstacles in bringing mental wellness initiatives to life.

Expanding Support and Influence

As One Lamb grew, it remained rooted in its original mission—to nurture and embrace mental wellness in a faithful community of education, connection, and support. Funds from the One Lamb fund allowed the team to honor the genesis of this ministry by introducing a scholarship for PRUMC members, their families, and staff, with a “pay it back or pay it forward” philosophy.

The initiative expanded further at PRUMC:

An annual sermon series on mental health was established.
The finance committee designated a Giving Day to support One Lamb’s mission.
In 2024, PRUMC hired Rev. Emily Miles as a part-time Director of Mental Wellness—a rare and groundbreaking role within the United Methodist Church worldwide. Her passion and expertise now complement the dedicated lay leadership team of One Lamb.

Two Dunwoody, Georgia churches (Dunwoody UMC and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church) became One Lamb “chapters” and they each launched a new mental wellness ministry at their place of faith with full access to 1lamb.org.

Faith Communities Uniting for Mental Health

In November 2024, the One Lamb Initiative took an extraordinary step forward, organizing a landmark event at The Carter Center:

“Finding Peace of Mind Through Brain Science and Spiritual Practices.”

This event was inspired by Rosalynn Carter, a lifelong mental health advocate and devoted Christian. Her legacy led the team to connect with The Carter Center’s Mental Health Program, setting the stage for a profound gathering.

One Lamb’s leadership personally reached out to faith communities across Atlanta, making calls and personal appointments to invite a diverse range of religious leaders, including Quakers, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Greek Orthodox, Mormons, and many more. Nearly every faith tradition was represented, reflecting a sacred and shared commitment: to create stronger, more compassionate communities where mental wellness is prioritized.

At the event, participants received a comprehensive guide detailing the work One Lamb has developed over the past four years. But this was not the end—it was only the beginning.

The Future: A Lasting Legacy

The Carter Center event sparked something powerful—a movement that would continue to spread. Recognizing the need for ongoing collaboration, One Lamb launched the Peace of Mind Partnership Network, a faith-based mental health network. Each month, faith leaders receive a new programming idea, helping them integrate mental wellness initiatives into their own communities.

Today, One Lamb’s 35-member team meets quarterly, continuously designing new programming to meet the evolving needs of the congregation. The team is also committed to our vision: being an agent for change so that every faith place has a mental health focus.

Through open dialogue and shared experiences, One Lamb has broken the silence surrounding mental health in faith communities. Atlantans have heard of and embrace “One Lamb”. They attend our programs. They access our website. They financially support this ministry. By fostering education, connection, and support, One Lamb has created a space where people feel connected and supported in their mental health journey.

A Movement That Endures

Since 2019, One Lamb has never lost its momentum. What started as a simple act of generosity has flourished into a transformative ministry—one that continues to bring hope, healing, and a deep sense of community to PRUMC and beyond.

May we continue to walk together, carrying forward the mission to illuminate the path to mental wellness through faith, love, and unwavering support.