BeFriender Ministry at Spirit of Joy

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What is BeFriender Ministry?

BeFriender Ministry is a lay pastoral care program. BeFrienders are trained Spirit of Joy partners (members) who have been to provide emotional and spiritual support to persons facing various circumstances and needs.

How do BeFrienders provide this support?

BeFrienders offer a non-judgmental listening presence to persons they visit. BeFrienders are not counselors and do not give advice.  By providing spiritual and emotional care, BeFrienders provide an opportunity for persons they befriend to make their own choices and to grow.

Examples of times when one may want to connect with a BeFriender:

  • loneliness
  • loss of a loved one (family or friend), a relationship, or a job
  • diagnosis of an illness
  • fear or concerns about retirement or aging
  • adjusting to a new baby, community, or job

How can I or someone I know connect with a BeFriender?

BeFrienders are available for friends and ministry partners of Spirit of Joy. You may contact our BeFriender leaders (see below) or one of our pastors, and a BeFriender will be assigned to you.

BeFrienders are committed to confidentiality.

For more information on our BeFriender Ministry please contact Lynn Risty.