The Rooster Crow
Rooster Crow is a Wake Up Call for Resiliency
The Rooster Crow
There is a moment in every crisis when something shifts—a sudden spark of awareness, a piercing realization that echoes deep in the soul. I call it the “Rooster Crow” moment—that instance when a person in despair awakens to the possibility of hope. It’s a call to remember, to feel, and to reconnect.
For those of us passionate about crisis intervention, understanding this moment is key. Kindness, as simple as it seems, is often the catalyst that brings people back from the edge. It creates a climate where resiliency, recovery, and referral are not only possible but probable. Through connectedness, we foster life-saving opportunities for hope, help, and healing.
The 3 Charlies and the 3 Romeos
I often draw from the military alphabet to frame crisis intervention strategies using what I call the 3 Charlies and the 3 Romeos:
3 Charlies: Connect In, Connect Out, Connect Up
3 Romeos: Resiliency, Recovery, Referral
To bring this concept to life, I turn to a biblical example found in the stories of Peter and Judas, two disciples who walked closely with Jesus—and who both failed Him. But their outcomes could not have been more different.
Peter: The Disciple Who Heard the Rooster
Peter’s story is one of vulnerability. He was loyal, loving, and devoted to Christ. Yet, when fear overtook him, Peter denied knowing Jesus—not once, but three times. At the exact moment Jesus predicted, the rooster crowed. The Bible says Peter “wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:74–75). That bitter weeping was his Rooster Crow moment.
Why is this important?
Because Peter's tears signaled resiliency—the God-given capacity to regret, to reflect, and to change course. Everyone has a built-in warning signal in their conscience. For Peter, the crow of the rooster woke him up to his brokenness, and he didn’t ignore it. Instead, he acted.
From Resiliency to Recovery
Unlike many who isolate after failure, Peter connected in. After the crucifixion, he was with John, the disciple known for his compassion. When the women found the tomb empty, they ran to Peter and John (John 20:2). That means Peter stayed close to safe, kind people—even after he had failed.
This connection helped Peter enter recovery. Being around others who were processing the same grief brought stability. The community of believers became his safe place.
Later, Peter connected out. In Acts, we see him surrounded by 120 believers in the upper room. He was no longer hiding in shame. He was active, leading, and sharing the hope he had found.
Referral: Connecting Up
Peter’s restoration wasn’t complete until he had a face-to-face encounter with the resurrected Jesus (Luke 24:34). This was his referral—his connect up moment. He took his guilt, shame, and regret straight to Jesus, and Jesus restored him fully.
Peter would go on to become a pillar of the early Church, writing two letters (1 & 2 Peter) that still inspire believers today. He embraced his purpose, lived a life of faith, and died a martyr—boldly declaring the very Christ he once denied.
Judas: The Tragedy of the Wrong Connection
Now consider Judas.
Like Peter, Judas also denied Jesus—betraying Him for thirty pieces of silver. Judas had a Rooster Crow moment of his own. The Bible says he was filled with remorse (Matthew 27:3–5). That remorse was a sign of resiliency.
But here’s where his story diverges. Instead of connecting in with the disciples—the people who could have helped him—Judas went back to the religious leaders who had no compassion for him. He chose the wrong connection.
They rejected him. And in that rejection, Judas believed he had no hope. He isolated, and in despair, he hung himself.
Connection Makes the Difference
Both Peter and Judas failed. Both felt remorse. But only one sought out the right kind of connection. That was the difference between life and death.
Resiliency is natural—God built it into all of us. But recovery and referral require connection. The right relationship, a safe community, and faith in God who restores can change the trajectory of someone’s story.
The Voice of Kindness: A Biblical Approach to Crisis Intervention
That’s why I created the Voice of Kindness course—a biblical, faith-based training in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Suicide is not a "people problem"; it’s often the result of:
Deep emotional pain
Relational poverty
Spiritual and mental struggles that many face in silence
The Church is uniquely positioned to help. We have the capacity to create safe spaces, break the stigma, and reduce suicide ideation. People need to know where they can bring their pain and find kindness. Through practical tools and biblical truth, The Voice of Kindness equips believers to be effective, confident, and loving crisis interventionists.
Think 3-2-1: A Crisis Intervention Strategy
This course teaches a straightforward and powerful model:
3 Charlies:
Connect In: Create safety through inner relationship
Connect Out: Involve others- Don’t isolate, insulate with a support network
Connect Up: Find purpose and mission in life.
2 Mnemonics:
The BE KIND model—Dance Dialogue for kindness to prevail.
A practical guide for real-time conversations
1 Solution:
Empower not overwhelm
We are called to reduce stigma, foster resilience, and walk alongside those in crisis with God’s kindness.
The Church Must Rise
Why does this matter?
Because suicide does not discriminate. It impacts pastors, congregants, families, and entire communities. If we don’t act with urgency and compassion, we risk losing more lives to despair.
But with the right training, tools, and Spirit-led conviction, we can be the difference.
We can be the voice of kindness someone desperately needs.
You Can Be the Difference
Whether you're a pastor, a ministry leader, or simply someone who cares, you can be a front line defense to help someone in crisis. You need:
A heart of kindness
A willingness to connect
A commitment to listen without judgment
You might be the “John” someone needs. Never remain the only one helping. You may assist them to find resources, a group, or their next level of safety of recovery. It maybe their journey of healing will take time and will need referral to professional or medical care. We must remind them to listen to the voice that awakens their resiliency. If given opportunity, pray with them. Prayer is a bridge to peace.
Let the Rooster Crow
The rooster’s crow was a wake-up call for Peter—and it can be for us too. Get connected
It’s time to open our eyes to those suffering in silence.
It’s time to build churches that heal, not hide.
It’s time to speak with the Voice of Kindness.
