On New Year’s Eve, the Rev. Ken Carlson became the new lead pastor at Bayside Chapel in Barnegat Township. And to mark that occasion, the retiring lead pastor, the Rev. Dave Ridder, literally passed the baton to his successor on stage.

For the 36-year-old Carlson, the occasion capped a journey where he overcame inner turmoil and depression so severe that he contemplated taking his own life.