Befrienders is a lay caring ministry program that has served St. John's since 1998.  St. John's Lutheran Church is among a growing number of congregations, state-wide, that have trained volunteers who assist their clergy as an extension of pastoral care.

Befrienders are lay people who make themselves available as listening and supportive friends for people experiencing any of life's many transitions.

Befrienders are present through visits, phone calls, conversations at church, at work, and in their communities.

Befrienders are a formal extension of Pastoral ministry at St. John's.  Visits are confidential.

Befriender events are listed on St. John's Main Web Site Events Calendar .

Links to web sites of interest are located at St. John's Main Web Site Links & Resources .

We all experience the feeling of loss or transition at one time or another.

Imagine "Anna", a woman in her 80's who belongs to our church.  She lives in a retirement home.  One of her few connections with our church is the Befriender who visits her regularly and brings communion.

"Mary and John" have been committed members of our church for years.  Mary is in poor health, but John faithfully cares for her needs.  They both appreciate the Befriender who visists regularly and shares coffee and conversation.

"Mavis", a recent widow, is grateful for her Befriender who listens and offers support as she sorts through this period of grief in her life.

The Befrienders minister in a number of ways.  Some of these include visiting people to provide support during grieving, bringing communion to those who are houseboud, or visiting those who are in poor health or hospitalized.  Other ways are visiting those experiencing divorce, the loss of a job, or those called to military duty.  Or it may be to visit members who are celebrating the birth of a baby.

St. John's recognizes the increasing need for a Befriender Ministry in this changing world and in a growing congregation.  This program of the laity expresses the privilege of the whole church to share in Christ's ministry.

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."  -2 Corinthians 1:4

Some questions you may have about Befriender Ministry:

If my family member has a Befriender visiting, does that mean I am not meeting his/her needs?
Not at all.  A Befriender cannot take the place of family or friends in someone's life.  For many though, a Befriender is a supportive visitor beyond the family.

How often will a Befriender visit?
Befriending relationships can vary in time from a couple of conversations to a regular visit for months or years.

Would you like a Befriender to visit you or someone you know?  The person referred will always be contacted to make sure they would like a Befriender visit, and all visits are confidential.

Contact the Befrienders Coordinators or Pastors listed below, or contact any one of the Befrienders:

Jan Johnson, phone 320-274-8315
Doris Youngquist, phone 320-274-5180
Email Pastor DJ Lura , or call him at St. John's office at 320-274-8827

Or for a list of specific individual contact people for Befriender ministries, visit the Contact Us & Directions Web Site.

The Befriender Program at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota was created in 1978 to tap the potential of lay people for providing supportive friendship and caring to others in need of support.  The program started at Wilder, and in 1995 was formally given to Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Minnesota so that it could continue to serve a broad spectrum of congregations.

Since moving to LSS, the Befriender Program has become a key element in their support of congregations committed to care giving and hospitality ministry.  LSS staff work with volunteers to train and prepare for meaningful outreach and care-giving.  Befrienders are encouraged to view befriending not only as helpful to others, but also as an experience through which they can learn and grow in interpersonal relationships and spiritual depth.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you..."  -Jesus Christ

Befriending is a wonderful opportunity for men and women to discover their place of service within the church.  Formal training is periodically provided through Lutheran Social Services.  All interested persons are invited to join the Befriender Ministry.

If you want to learn more about the Befrienders Ministry and Adult Faith & Life at St. John's, please email Pastor DJ Lura , or call him at St. John's office at 320-274-8827.  Or for a list of specific individual contact people for Befriender ministries, visit the Contact Us & Directions Web Site.

You can also learn more about these ministries at St. John's Ministries & Council Web Site.