Stories of Hope

Real stories to stir up your faith, inspire hope and encourage you to walk in love...

Please Note: Some names have been changed to protect privacy

Comforting those who mourn

By the grace of God and with the support of ministry partners, Christine was able to officiate 2 funeral services in September and assist two grieiving families with the preparations. Ministry partnerships make it possible for Christine to do this at no cost to the family, as well as offering blessings to the family whether through paying for food, purchasing materials needed for the service, and providing ongoing grief support and counseling. Funeral services are tender and holy spaces where people are desperately in need of comfort and the hope of Jesus Christ. This is a space where, led by the Holy Spirit, Christine navigates through sharing the Gospel and the love of Jesus while offering hope and comfort to those who are grieving.

Sharing the Good News with the elderly

Sometimes we forget that there are people in their 70s, 80s, even 90s living around us, and they may not know the hope and love found in Jesus! Jeff came to senior church late and listened intently as the message was shared about being a new creation in Christ Jesus and an ambassador of God’s love. The key passage was 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, with an emphasis on the way that God forgives, empowers and equips believers to proclaim his grace and goodness and the message of reconciliation to the world. After the service, Jeff asked for prayer. As everyone began clearing out, Jeff came back in and went to the ministers and said, “I had never heard that before, what you shared about Jesus. I want to know God’s love for me. Pray for me.” Through this time, Christine and Cameron were able to share the gospel and pray again for Jeff and give him a Bible. Our encounter with Jeff was a reminder that there are people who are in the final stages of life who are hungry for hope, truth and love and who need the Gospel message to be shared with them!

Ministry of Presence

At times of crisis or trauma, one may find themselves struggling with their beliefs, trying to make sense of the experience, and looking for ways to cope. The traumatic event can even lead to what is known as a “crisis of faith.” We are not meant to go through these times alone. Carmen, a 98 year old woman who lives alone in a senior community, was grieving the recent death of her daughter. Carmen was struggling with questions she had for God, but she had no one she could talk to. She even had questions she was afraid to ask the priest. After hearing the Word of God at a non-denominational church service, she asked to talk with the minister. A few days later, Christine listened to Carmen share her heart and her questions. Christine was able to offer Carmen the assurance she needed from the Scriptures and give her direction through the Word of God, which Carmen respects, believes and trusts. After their time together, Carmen expressed that she felt a burden was lifted and that she had so much more peace hearing those words of Scripture and knowing the truth of God’s love, forgiveness, and what Jesus accomplished on the cross. The ministry of presence involves being available to sit, listen and hold space with someone at a time of need, helping them to find the light and hope that they are desperately searching for.

Images from church at the park, where Christine was able to offer a message of hope through the scriptures during July, August and September gatherings.

Friends, wherever you are today, be present there. And may the Lord minister to you and through you. God bless you.