As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are responsible to love and care for one another. Life Groups, ABFs, weekly Bible study groups, and ministry teams all help connect us to one another as spiritual friends. These relationships are even more important and meaningful during times of crisis, transition, or loss.
Sometimes, life’s hardships create the need for a higher level of Christian care—a caregiver with more time or expertise than our Christian friends or help with practical needs like meals or rides to a medical appointment. Within the Grace Church family, we have several confidential resources to help you adjust, move forward, and grow in your faith during difficult times.
If you have questions or a need for care, talk with a pastor or call the church office. We will help to identify your needs and connect you to some helpful resources, such as:
Elder Ministry
Elders care for covenant members of the Grace Church family as spiritual shepherds. They pray for, teach, and encourage their shepherding groups as they grow in Christ.
Deacon Ministry
The Deacons love God by serving the physical needs of the church family at Grace and the surrounding community. Deacons can help members of the church family with a variety of needs, including: short-term financial help, meals, a visit in the hospital, vehicle repairs, house or yard work, transportation to a doctor’s appointment, and more.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers come alongside those that are hurting. They are trained to listen and be present for people going through tough times. Stephen Ministers are not there to ‘fix’ anyone; as care-givers, they are relying on Christ, the Cure-giver, to comfort and encourage people in need.
Stephen Ministers have received over fifty hours of Christian caregiving training Each Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week. Stephen Ministers provide care to individuals facing a variety of crises or life challenges—people who are experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disabilities, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles.
Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral counseling can help you meet challenging times in a way that brings growth to you and your relationship with God. Pastors are available to provide counsel for your personal and family needs from a Biblical framework, including pre-marriage counseling.
Pastoral counseling is available to those who are a part of Grace Church or one of our outreach ministries (for example: Awana or Kids Express Preschool).
Memorial Services
When the Grace Church family experiences bereavement, we offer comfort and support, guidance in planning the memorial services, and a meal for family and friends after the service. (This service is reserved for the Grace Church family.)
Visitation
Pastors, Deacons, and lay caregivers are available to visit with the homebound, those in the hospital, or people who are recovering at home. They love to comfort our church family through encouragement, prayer support, and providing for any additional needs.
Church Office: 717.464.2782
Email: info@gracewv.org