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Does
HopeKeepers have any requirements?
We
are a non-denominational Christian organization.
You can read our Statement
of Faith. The materials are Christian-based.
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 Requirements |
We
do request that during
your hk meeting you
do not discuss
treatments, alternative
medicines, etc. without
letting everyone know
in advance that this
will be the topic
for that particular
meeting. As groups
grow together people
may want to discuss
these subjects but
oftentimes they become
sessions of "you
should try..."
and people grow uncomfortable.
We
recommend
having a
separate
evening
every 6
mos. or
so and call
it something
like "information
exchange
night."
Allow everyone
to bring
anything
that they
wish to
share, but
no "you
shoulds"
and no asking
people the
next week
if they
"followed
up with
your suggestion."
There is
no shortage
of information
on treatments
and cures,
so we suggest
allowing
you hk group
to be a
refuge from
"cures."
As
far as what
activities
consist
of, we give
you the
freedom
to decide. Some
groups meet
in the home,
some in
a public
location.
Some groups
are more
structured
with studies,
others just
discuss
a particular
topic. Some
are church
members
only and
others use
it as an
outreach
for hurting
people in
the community.
Some have
speakers.
We encourage
you to be
flexible
and see
what format
works best
for your
group.
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| Meet
Other Leaders |
Feedback from Leaders |
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Join our
HopeKeepers Leaders Group in our Sunroom
to hear more about HopeKeepers and ask
questions of current leaders. This is
the place to find out what's
working, what's not and lots more.
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| How
does Rest Ministries help me with my HopeKeepers
group? |
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We
provide ongoing communication between
hk groups, resources, and by providing
HopeKeeper leaders with resources to be
a good advocate for those with illness
or invisible disabilities for their church
and community.
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Through
our HopeKeepers
Leaders Group at the Rest Ministries
Sunroom |
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Through
our weekly Hope
Endures Podcasts |
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Through
our weekly HopeNotes
emailed newsletter |
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Througharticles
that our founder writes on a weekly
basis, many of which can be shared
with those in your group, or with
your church leadership. |
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We
always are searching for resources
for your groups and individuals. Be
sure to see the newest information
in our HopeKeepers
Magazine and HopeNotes. |
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We provide Bible
studies, resource lists, drama
skits, books, audio tapes and more. |
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We
provide HopeKeepers
items, such as tote bags, denim
shirts, balloons, keychains, coffee
mugs, pens and much more to give your
group that sense of belonging. |
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Most
importantly, we pray for our hk support
group leaders and continue to request
input on ways in which we can assist
and serve. |
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|
FAQ |
Is
the group for people with
illness or can spouses participate
too?
|
Are
hk just for women or can men come too? |
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It's
up to you! Some groups have members who
cannot drive and so spouses have attended
and it has added a great deal to the discussions
and growth of the group and individuals.
Or you may want to have spouses attend
every few months, invite them to meet
every time with you, or invite them to
have their own discussions in another
area. A few times we've had the spouses
close in prayer together in a separate
area. The only complaint? We didn't have
enough time!
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Yes!
We welcome men! We've found that sometimes
women are more eager to discuss the emotions
that they are going through than men are,
but we certainly welcome men and the Bible
studies have many examples of men with
chronic illness. If you would prefer to
have your group consist of just women,
that's fine too. Perhaps if there is a
great interest you may want to have both
a men and womens group and then have them
get together every few months.
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| Are
the groups just for people with chronic
illness or can people with cancer attend? |
How
can I get some of our more elderly people
at church (who would greatly benefit from
hk) to come? |
If
you have or have had cancer
there are many aspects that
are similar to chronic illness.
Side effects from cancer
treatment often last a lifetime
and the threat of its return
and it's toll on one immune
system often makes cancer
feel like a chronic illness.
Invite people who have cancer.
If there are a lot, than
you may ask them if they
would prefer their own group,
but they will likely feel
comfortable with your group.
We've heard that the Bible
studies we distribute address
cancer issues well.
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Oftentimes
seniors have lived with
chronic illness for years
and have "done just
fine." They grew up
during a time when you didn't
talk about your problems;
you just dealt with it.
But when they do attend
hk, years of emotions pour
out. To encourage them to
participate, ask about 4-5
seniors if they would mind
coming and being on a panel
for your group. Explain
to them that the "younger
generation" would like
to hear how they have lived
successfully with illness;
how they've held onto their
faith during difficult times,
etc. Tell them that they
are welcome to invite a
few friends and then encourage
your group to come and bring
a few questions. We've heard
that this has worked wonderfully
and that the seniors really
felt like they were helping
and then asked if they could
come back to the next group
meeting just to participate.
We all have ministries.
Some of just need a bit
of a nudge to remember how
much wisdom we hold in our
experiences.
>
Send your questions to us!
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| Does
my group have to be in a church? |
The
short answer is... no. However,
we do encourage people to start
a group with the support of the
church. You are able to get the
word out easily and recruit volunteers
to help with the administrative
tasks. This is some information
that your church may be interested
in:
-
1
in 3 people in the United
States has a chronic illness.
Churches rarely realize how
many people in their congregation
are hurting.
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Very
few churches currently have
a group or ongoing support
for people who live with chronic
illness or pain. Your
church will be meeting a very
large need in the community.
A
HopeKeepers group is a great outreach
tool for the church. Local
papers usually offer free listings
of times and places for such groups
and people will come to the group
from the community. Attending
the church will often follow.
The
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chronically
ill will be pleased a church is recognizing
their needs. Despite what people may
believe, it's unlikely the chronically
ill will add much of a burden. By offering
a small group, newsletter, and an occasional
article in the church newsletter, they
will feel you understand.
Oftentimes
people come to the church for the first
time, or return after many years, following
a diagnosis of a chronic illness. We
need to know how to reach out to these
people and how to offer them hope, despite
the grim circumstances. The New Age community
is reaching out to people in chronic
pain in a big way. The church must continue
to be competitive for these souls.
That
being said, some churches are not as receptive
to HopeKeepers or any kind of illness
ministry. If you feel called to have it
in your home or a public place, that is
your decision that we support wholeheartedly!
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Need
more small group resources? We recommend...
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