Narrated by: Eva Jun\nCompiled by: Yu Wang<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My husband, Jay, and I have been involved in church caregiving ministries for over 20 years, focusing on two main areas. The first is **Stephen Ministry**, a team of trained brothers and sisters who provide one-on-one companionship to those facing difficulties, walking with them through challenging seasons of life. The second is ministry to single-parent families, which includes participation in the U.S. By Streams of Water Inc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the years, I have observed that when someone loses a loved one, friends and family often try to offer comforting words, and church members may bring flowers or meals. However, once the funeral is over, everyone disappears. It is during this time\u2014the loneliness, pain, helplessness, and despair\u2014that those who have not experienced such loss cannot fully understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both my husband and I felt the need for a more comprehensive ministry to help people. We were also aware that Church Initiative in the United States had published a program called GriefShare, designed to support individuals through small group gatherings. The program involves watching videos, followed by discussions and sharing. \n\nThe videos feature pastors and counselors who address the challenges of grief from a biblical perspective, along with testimonies from those who have walked the path of grief. The accompanying workbook and homework help participants reflect on their journey and express their thoughts through journaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At my church, Gaithersburg Chinese Alliance Church (GCAC), we piloted a grief support program a few years ago, spending over a year accompanying a few sisters through the process. Each week, we watched part of a video, discussing and sharing gradually. If something wasn\u2019t clear, we would watch it again. It was very helpful but not easy.\n\nDuring the pandemic in 2020, we tried holding online meetings using the two-hour session \"Surviving the Holidays\" from the series. The response was positive, but many participants shared feedback such as, *\"If there were materials in Chinese, it would be easier to understand and more impactful.\"*<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few weeks later, we learned that Fuchiang Church in Tainan, Taiwan, was already conducting grief support ministry using Chinese materials. It turned out that God had been preparing the way! A brother originally based in the United States, who had lost his wife, participated in a grief support group twice and found it very beneficial. After returning to Taiwan, he suggested that his church adopt the program and willingly took on the task of translating the English materials into Chinese. \n\nFuchiang Church also received authorization from the GriefShare organization to add Chinese subtitles to the videos and translate the manuals. Since 2017, they have been offering grief support group sessions in their church. When I reached out to Fuchiang Church, they gladly agreed to assist with playing the videos during our future online meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2021, together with Wu Qiongyi from the Chinese Bible Church of Maryland (CBCM) and other coworkers, we launched the Chinese Grief Support Ministry in the United States through online gatherings. We used the two-hour \"Loss of a Spouse\" program as our initial material. After the session, participants expressed a strong desire to continue, saying, \"Watching it once isn't enough\u2014can we watch it again? Can we meet weekly to keep encouraging and supporting one another?\"\n\nIn response, we held weekly gatherings for the next nine weeks, using the workbook to guide discussions. Additionally, we created an online community group as a platform for participants to connect and share with one another during the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This experience gave the team both courage and confirmation to move forward. With the blessings and support of CBCM and GCAC, we launched the full 13-week program. It is now held twice a year, in spring and fall. Since we meet online using Zoom, participants come from all over the United States. \n\nApproximately 30-40% of first-time participants return for a second session. Some participants, having benefited greatly from the program, have gone on to receive training to become team members, joining the effort to accompany and bless more people through their grief journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministry requires manpower. Through my involvement in Stephen Ministry, I know many brothers and sisters who are deeply committed to caregiving, have received training in how to care for others, and are full of compassion. When I extended invitations to them, they gladly agreed to serve as group leaders alongside coworkers who have experienced grief themselves. \n\nThese team members come from different churches but are united in their commitment. After receiving training, they not only serve in the grief support ministry but also apply what they\u2019ve learned to support brothers and sisters in their own churches. They are equipped to walk alongside others in grief in a way that truly touches the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The materials translated by Fuchiang Church have also been used in churches in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada, gradually expanding their impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like all ministries, this one is supported by a team and a community working together. It is this collective effort that gives those in grief the strength and energy to walk this difficult path together. From the very beginning, the Chinese Grief Support Ministry in the United States has brought together tangible and intangible resources, including manpower, finances, materials, and spiritual support, from various churches.<\/p>\n\n\n