Be-Friender Ministry
A CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN NAME OF COMMUNITY
Who is a Be-Friender?
Be-Frienders are ordinary lay persons who are trained to give care through visiting those who are going through life’s hard times.
Who might benefit from this ministry?
Anyone dealing with a traumatic experience: death in the family, serious illness, emotional upheaval, divorce, aging, etc.
What are visits like?
A Be-Friender is trained to simply listen, give emotional support, and honor the individual as a unique creation of Christ.
How long does a visit last and how often?
Be-Friended participant meetings usually last for about 30-60 minutes, maybe once or twice a month-depending on the needs and wishes of the person receiving the service. Be-Friender Ministry platform projects that service may be provided up to one year, per Be-Friended.
What sorts of things would you talk about during the visit?
Visits are friendly and low-key, much the same as everyday visits. But Be-Frienders are trained to listen closely to the visited person and honor their story in a confidential manner. Each person’s experience, pleasant or troublesome, is regarded as sacred and worthy of respect.
How can one enlist a Be-Friender?
Be-Frienders rely on the people of the Church to make suggestions of anyone they know who could use some special care. Call any Be-Friender, or simply e-mail your request to make suggestions. We will follow up.
What if the person doesn’t want a Be-Friender?
Be-Frienders don’t want to intrude on anyone, or make them uncomfortable. We only go where we are wanted. But on the other hand, we do not want to neglect anyone who would appreciate some tender loving care, during the rough times. That’s why we need your help.
Be-Friending sounds great. What does it take to become a Be-Friender myself?
Ask any Be-Friender-just call. It does involve serious time commitment, but the program is very rich and gives so much more in return than the energy you expend doing it. Along with visiting the Be-Friended, Be-Frienders meet once a month for continued learning, and enrichment in a group setting.
