Stephen Ministry
He had just turned 64 when the life shattering diagnosis came. What would he do now? Jesus promised to never leave but where was he now and how could this happen to him? Cancer happened to other people, not him! Newly retired, the plans that took a lifetime to make would have to be put on hold…maybe forever! His wife, how on earth would he tell his wife? Married 40 years, all the while knowing that one day would be "their" day. Now this! How will I share my true feelings without scaring my wonderful wife? Jesus, where are you?
She was 20 and pregnant, scared and alone. It sure didn’t go the way it was supposed to go. She thought they were "forever" but the arguing seemed to get worse. She was raised in the church but she was way too ashamed to show her face under the circumstances. The baby was coming, like it or not in just three months. Alone, all alone!
We’ve been married 30 years. The baby has left for college and it seems we have nothing left. 28 of our 30 years were all about raising our kids and now that the nest is empty…I just don’t know if we’re going to survive this new reality, our new reality. The wife needs someone to talk to and knows it; the husband needs someone to talk to but can’t find the words (or the person for that matter).
Unemployed! How did I get here? I’ve heard the stories of companies downsizing or closing all together, but I’ve worked there forever. I’ve given two decades of my life to do the best I could possibly do and now I’ve got nothing but an unemployment check to show for it. Tweens and teens cost a lot of money and the money tree has been cut down. What’s next? I wish I knew!
I know all about therapy sessions. I sure went to enough of them! Doc says I’m better. He’s given me the tools to deal with my feelings but I still don’t feel whole. Wish I could figure out what’s missing. It’s been years since he attacked me and justice prevailed a long time ago. Why do I still feel so empty inside? I have a wonderful friend that invited me to visit her church. She’s pretty sure the empty void could be filled with the love of Jesus. I wonder.
These stories are made up…or are they? Living through tragedy and sadness, loneliness and dramatic changes in the landscape of life can leave us feeling empty, lost and alone. Is being alone really all there is? What if you had a safe, Christian place to share your feelings? What if someone made a point of bringing their ears, their hearts and the Word of the Lord right to you? Stephen Ministers have been trained at Trinity to bring the loving heart of Jesus to your doorstep. Men meet with men and women with women. Mid-December is when it all begins at Trinity. Thirteen men and women have been working to complete fifty hours of training. Please call Pastor Easterday or Pastor Kipp and let them know you are ready to begin a wonderful new Christian relationship.
