Make Grief Support a Church Ministry.

Narrated by: Eva Jun Compiled by: Yu Wang

After years of preparation, with the assistance and support of three churches, as well as the contributions of coworkers and participants from various congregations, the Chinese Grief Support Ministry was launched in 2022. It is with heartfelt hope that the experiences and insights gained through this journey will continue to inspire and guide others.── Make Grief Support a Church Ministry.

Pooling Resources from Multiple Churches

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.

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—the loneliness, pain, helplessness, and despair—that those who have not experienced such loss cannot fully understand.

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. The 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.

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’t clear, we would watch it again. It was very helpful but not easy. During 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."*

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. Fuchiang 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.

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—can we watch it again? Can we meet weekly to keep encouraging and supporting one another?" In 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.

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. Approximately 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.

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. These 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’ve 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.

The materials translated by Fuchiang Church have also been used in churches in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada, gradually expanding their impact.

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.

How Churches and Communities Can Support Those in Grief (Information provided by Wu Qiongyi)

☻ Foster an environment of compassion and understanding.

☻ Provide emotional and spiritual support.

☻ Build a support network and resources.

☻ Promote community connections and support by offering resources and counseling.

☻ Educate the congregation and promote understanding.

☻ Provide holistic care.

☻ Offer ongoing care.

The Church's Care for Grieving Members

The Chinese Grief Support Ministry has come a long way, and we are deeply grateful for the support and assistance of Tainan Fuchiang Church, CBCM, and GCAC. Although the ministry was initiated by laypeople rather than as a result of formal decisions by church leadership, it was made possible because the leaders recognized the need and placed their trust in the team, allowing them to proceed with confidence. The churches have supported the ministry through promotion, finances, manpower, and prayer, all of which have become vital resources for its development.

The church is called to live out the teachings of the Bible: to "look after orphans and widows in their distress," to "not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others," to "love one another," and to "weep with those who weep." Sharing God's love with those in grief and hardship requires: believers gifted with compassion and caregiving, biblically grounded tools and materials, encouragement and support from the church, and effective use of technology such as Zoom, email, and online registration. In recent years, the Chinese Grief Support Ministry in the United States has utilized these resources to bring God’s comfort to many grieving individuals.

From years of experience and observations in this ministry, we have seen both the immense need and God’s abundant provision. The Chinese Grief Support Ministry is eager to share its journey, with the sincere hope that brothers, sisters, and pastors who feel called will consider making grief support a part of their church’s caregiving ministry.

Introduction:

Eva Jun and her husband, Jay, are passionately devoted to caregiving ministries, providing emotional and spiritual support to those facing life’s challenges. At Gaithersburg Chinese Alliance Church, they have led the Single Parent Care Ministry for many years, spearheaded the Stephen Ministry, and actively participated in the team for grief support ministry.