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Befrienders Ministry
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I was thirsty
and you gave me drink.
I was a stranger
and you welcomed me...
I was sick
and you visited me.
Matthew 25:35 |
Befrienders are lay men and women who are interested in practicing their
faith in a ministry to those around them. They are supportive
listeners and friends who encourage others to seek ways of healing
themselves.
Befrienders believe we are all called to be ministers caring for and sharing
with one another.
A Befriender is a person who through training learns skills and develops
his/her gifts for bringing Christ's love to people who are ill, homebound,
lonely, grieving, strangers, new parents, or experiencing other stress in
their life.
People who are grieving the loss of a loved one
People who are
lonely
People who are
depressed
People who are in the process of separation or divorce
People who have
lost a job
People who are
single parents
People who are
dying and the families of the terminally ill
People who are homebound or in a care facility
People who are
care givers
People who are
facing retirement
People who are
new parents
Teenagers who have special needs as they grow
A Befriender attends a training session emphasizing listening
skills and supportive caring skills.
After this training, a Befriender attends supportive group
meetings with other Befrienders. These sessions offer on-going training,
support and encouragement.
A Befriender will be offered a variety of ways to serve,
among them: making home visits, phone calls, hospital visits, sending
cards, or helping someone who is ill.
A Befriender respects the
confidentiality of the
persons served.
A caring lay ministry in which one person reaches out to
another in time of need.
An ongoing, helping relationship –people who need help, get
help.
A caring Christian who desires to offer
his/her support to others.
A Sharing Christian who brings him/herself to each
relationship, as a partner in another’s life experiences.
A helping Christian who has developed special gifts in
caring.
A licensed counselor or therapist.
A social worker, lawyer or adviser who provides professional
help.
Replace the ministry of the pastors. Rather, it complements
and extends.
If you would
like more information on being a Befriender of if you would like a
Befriender to call you, please contact Pastor Jan Hartsook at 763-571-1500,
Karen Nelson at 651-486-2740, or Randee Arfmann at 763-571-1461.
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