If you would like to help the Goodale family, you can find ways to do that here.

If you would like to watch the prayer night video mentioned in this podcast, you can watch it here.

Eric Goodale, the self-proclaimed mayor of Beech, has lived in the Pleasantville area for nearly two decades now. He and his wife Brenda have raised their three children: Elizabeth, William, and Grace, in the Pleasantville Community School District. After working for Youth Homes for 20 years, Eric began working at The Well in Knoxville, where he serves people in crisis and in need every day. His expertise in care for others earned him a spot on Pleasantville Youth Initiative's board from day one.

Recently Eric underwent emergency brain surgery and was confronted with a possibly terminal cancer diagnosis. This news shocked everyone who knows and loves Eric and the Goodale family, and the community's response was immediate. Prayer gatherings and meal trains began. But so did a lot of questions. Questions like, how could this happen to such a good person? Why would God allow someone who does such good things to suffer in this way?

Eric has been sharing his story and his faith with his community from the moment of his diagnosis, which as of this podcast posting, was only three weeks ago. His joy has been so evident that people have been reaching out to him for encouragement, love, and reassurance.

We wanted to give Eric a platform to answer some of the questions the community has been asking him, and asking God.

This podcast is longer than usual, but we felt it was important to let Eric share his story fully (or as fully as possible in little less than two hours).

You will be blessed by Eric's story, his faith, and his perspective.