Befrienders

I was thirsty and you gave me gave me...drink...
I was a stranger and you welcomed me...
I was sick...and you visited me.
–Matthew 25:35-36 [NRSV]

Who are the Befrienders?

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.

What kinds of people do Befrienders serve?

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

How does the Befriender Program work?

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.

Befriender Ministry is:

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 Befriender is:

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 Befriender is not:

A licensed counselor or therapist.

A social worker, lawyer or adviser who provides professional help.

Befriender Ministry does not:

Replace the ministry of the pastors. Rather, it complements and extends.

Whom do I contact?

If you would like more information on being a Befriender, or if you would like a Befriender to call you, please contact Pastor Jan Hartsook at 763-571-1500, Randee Arfmann at 763-571-1461, or Ann Westby at 612-789-4851.