"Pain Bank" at Highland View

There is a little known ministry that goes on behind the scenes here at Highland View. I want to introduce you to it and encourage you to participate. My understanding is that our leaders conceived of this idea a few years ago and it works as follows:

If you have experienced some pain in life that you feel God has used to prepare you to turn around and ministers to others, call the office or talk to one of our elders, and they will put your name on the list. Case in point—my name is on the list for suicide. Since my father took his own life fifteen (15) years ago, God has used me to minister to, listen to, and reach out to numerous individuals, either contemplating suicide themselves or who has a family member who has taken their own life.

What made me think of this was an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel about a coach who was made aware of the Jason Foundation, which apparently provides resources for coaches dealing with depression. This is the same sort of model we have here. We desire that all members of this congregation see the body of Christ here as resource which God can use to make a difference in others’ lives.

Have you struggled with drug addiction? Has there been unwanted pregnancy in your family? Have you had a miscarriage? Have you been on the verge of bankruptcy? Has there been a specific medical problem you have had to deal with? Have you been depressed?

We need for you to sign up to help someone else. The apostle Paul expressed it this way: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

If we could see ourselves as a conduit of grace when others are hurting, just think of how many opportunities for ministry would come our way! God bless you as you allow Him to work through your pain experience to bring healing, caring and relief to others in the name of Jesus!
In Christian Love, Curtis