On Saturday, November 30, 2024, we were very privileged to host Dr. Josh Kruse of Dr. Josh Kruse & Associates Counselling & Consulting for a three-hour workshop on learning how to more effectively walk alongside those who are hurting. Dr. Josh is no stranger to our congregation, having done previous workshops and presentations for our staff and elders.
Dr. Josh opened the workshop with several scriptures including Matthew 22:36-39: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself," and Galatians 6:2: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Dr. Josh reminded us that although we are living in an epidemic of loneliness and brokenness, this also affords us lots of opportunities for the Light to shine brighter in the darkness.
Dr. Josh reminded us that there are things we cannot do. We cannot fix people. We cannot save people from troubles. We cannot/should not be the only one caring for them. And we cannot help beyond our capabilities.
There are, however, things that we can do to help people who are hurting. These include being emotionally healthy ourselves and reaching out to our struggling friend. Dr. Josh then unfolded and expanded upon a three-part model of care that he has found very effective in his work: Listen, Guide, Pray.
Being there for our friend and empathetically listening and praying are things that we can all participate in and are hugely effective. At times, however, a suggestion to avail themselves of a Stephen Minister may also be the right thing to do.
We are delighted to announce that we have four more people from our congregation who have completed their training to become Stephen Ministers! Erica Lee, Lois Scott, Ruth Katagi, and Jamin Sprinkle have completed their 50 hours of training and will be commissioned as Stephen Ministers during our Sunday, March 9th worship service. We are so grateful for their commitment and willingness to serve our local church and community in this way! Please join us in prayer for these new Stephen Ministers as we send them out to walk one-on-one with people who find themselves in difficult seasons of their lives.
For more information about Stephen Ministry, click the button below.
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