One-hundred and twelve-year-old Fullerton First Baptist Church serves generations of families, but, as in many churches, a lot of us wear our "church mask," pretending we are not hurting. God had shown me that there are a lot of silent hurting people in and around our church. Many found encouragement, but too many still fell through the cracks.

For nine months my prayer partner and I prayed for God to show us how to use our talents to help others. Our pastor encouraged us, realizing the need. Then we found the Rest Ministries web site. It said exactly what we believed about chronic illness and showed how to encourage and lead suffering people back to church and feel welcomed.

We purchased When Chronic Illness Enters Your Life and Learning to Live with a Chronic Illness by Lisa Copen and started a class on Sunday mornings. We were surprised at the number of people who joined the class! We were sensitive to their needs and agreed that if someone needed to stand or stretch or even lay on the floor, that was completely acceptable. The only thing that mattered was that everyone was welcomed, accepted and wanted to hear God's word through the lessons.

Our statement is: "When we REACH out to those that hurt we lengthen the arm of God."
Reach-listen to the hurts of others
Encourage-tell them you love them and care about their pain
Act-help to alleviate obstacles when possible
Comfort-them through their difficult times
Hope-share the promises of God's word

Our HopeKeepers® Ministry is three years old and is now divided into several ministries all under "HopeKeepers." The Encouraging Ministry sends cards and makes calls to those needing some cheer. Educational Ministry gives classes and seminars on important issues. Resource Ministry is a referral group that helps those with special needs. Small Group Ministry gives Bible study opportunities for those with special needs. Each ministry has a leader with several others to help-usually others with chronic illness, which also takes our minds off our own pain. God gives back as we serve others.

Christ is the center and the focus of all that we do. God is the leader of our ministry to those with chronic physical and emotional issues. We are a ministry that wants to give hope and encouragement to those who need it. "When we REACH out to those that hurt we lengthen the arm of God."

If you live in the Fullerton, CA area and would like more information on our group you can call Fullerton First Baptist Church at (714) 526-2265 or email me at pbunney@adelphia.net

Counseling Resource

The Christian Care Network (CCN), a division of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), is a national referral network of community and church-based licensed professional counseling providers offering Christian care. 434-525-9470 or www.aacc.net

Do You Have a Child
With a Disability?

Exceptional Parent Magazine provides information, support, ideas, encouragement and outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. Includes: technology and mobility, health care and financial planning, products and services, toys, library, news section, and an opportunity for visitors to exchange information online about their practical experiences. www.eparent.com or 201-489-4111

This article was featured in our Nov/Dec 2004 issue.
Subscribe today so you don't miss our next issue. You can also order back issues while supplies last at our bookstore,
The Comfort Zone. We also gladly accept orders by mail,
FAX or phone. REST MINISTRIES, PO Box 502928,
San Diego, CA 92150, FAX 800-933-1078 or phone 888-751-7378.

All information on this web site and from HopeKeepers Magazine® is copyright, 2004, not to be used without permission in print or electronically. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes your acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. Please contact us at rest@restministries.org if you would like to reprint it for public use. Permission is not needed for 10 or less copies of personal use (send to a friend, share with your support group, etc.) We're happy to answer your questions about it.