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Founder turns over reins of BeFriender Ministry
Inez Foster accepted the position of minister of visitation at Memorial United Methodist Church three short years ago. "I had long felt God's call upon my life," said Inez, "but there was no way I could have envisioned the changes He would make in my life, one day at a time, since I accepted the minister of visitation position."
That part-time job led to a full-time call to ministry and Foster, who completed the "License-to-Preach School" last summer, has served as a part-time minister at the Haigler United Methodist Church since November 2001. She also has continued to fulfill her duties at MUMC as well as the course of study which, over the next five years, will lead to her ordination.
On June 26, Mrs. Foster will depart for Harrison where she has accepted a full time position as a local pastor.
Part of the legacy she will leave in McCook is the BeFriender Ministry. With the support of then-pastor, the Rev. Dr. Doug Delp, Foster established the community outreach program based on a program first implemented in 1981 as a lay person's ministry within the Catholic Church.
Churches from a variety of denominations have since implemented the program within churches and communities across the United States. When Delp relocated to Omaha, the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Thurman took over the pastoral duties at MUMC and, in keeping with the precepts of the BeFriender program, took the BeFriender training as well. One of the requirements of the BeFriender ministry is that the sponsoring church's pastor be equipped to serve in a supervisory role.
"Apparently, it's going to take four people to fill my shoes," Foster quipped during an introductory interview of two of those replacements.
Shanon and Bill Williams of McCook, a husband-wife team, will bring that team approach to the BeFrienders once they complete the intensive week-long training required by organizers. They, along with Donna Olson, who has served with Foster as co-coordinator since completing the training in January 2000, and Jacquetta Davis, make up the four set of feet needed to fill Foster's shoes. Davis, a trained BeFriender, will serve as the local small group leader in the ministry. Thurman will continue to serve the ministry in a supervisory capacity.
The Williamses are also trained BeFrienders. When they learned of Foster's impending departure, they felt compelled to seek a deeper involvement with the program.
"I have been involved with the church in a variety of roles," explained Shanon. "When Inez announced her intention to move I felt called to respond to the need of another coordinator."
Her husband, Bill immediately added, "He (God) leads us without our even being aware of it and His plans supersede ours."
Bill is anxious to take the training so that he can "hit the ground running" with an outreach at the Work Ethic Camp.
"There is a big need there," he explained. According to Foster and the Williamses, the BeFriender program can take up a lot of personal time, so a couple working together can make it a part of their routine.
The BeFriender program is not a Bible study, or an evangelical outreach. The program is designed to bring help along side when someone is struggling through a life issue. Training is an ongoing process with BeFrienders meeting at least twice a month for additional training and for periods of reflection.
"I have tried to involve family members in the fellowship events," said Foster. "Since the program can require a lot of time away from home, it is helpful if the BeFriender's family has some connection to the program."
At the most recent BeFriender fellowship event, Inez's BeFrienders presented her with a going-away present.
"They call it my "tea-drinking angel." said Foster, describing the cup and saucer the angel, decked out in pink, holds in her hands.
(Foster is a frequent hot tea drinker.) "The angel goes with me," she said, "and will serve as such a precious reminder of all of my BeFrienders here."
In 2001, BeFriender Ministry at MUMC has come alongside 100 individuals, utilizing 13 trained volunteers. Additional volunteer training will be scheduled later in the year. Volunteer training is not restricted to members of MUMC and organizers stress that although MUMC is the coordinating church within this community, the services are available to anyone experiencing challenging life issues.
For more information about the program contact the church office at (308) 345-2445.