Episode Transcript
[00:00:04] Speaker A: Well, hello and welcome to another episode of the Forum at Frazer. I'm Will Adams, the minister of story here at Frazer, and I'm excited to be able to highlight for a moment one of, I think, kind of the unsung ministries here at Frazer. And I've been here a while, and I don't know that I felt like we've really given a proper kind of highlight to this ministry. So it's Journey of Hope Cancer Care. And I'm just going to have each one of you guys go around and introduce yourselves and explain a little bit about your involvement with Journey of Hope. So, Alan.
[00:00:40] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm Alan Burnett. I've been a cancer care minister for about two and a half years now.
Something that came about when we were choosing what we wanted to do to serve my wife and I, and I was really excited to get involved with that.
I have three brothers in Christ that are cancer, that have cancer right now. And I'm serving them, helping them, praying over them.
So I'm really excited to be involved in this group. It's. It's not only been a good ministry for them, but it's been a big, big help for my. My spirit as well.
[00:01:19] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, bless you, Linda.
[00:01:21] Speaker C: My name is Linda Hines Hornsby.
I'm a breast cancer survivor, and I'm a member of the Frazer Cancer Care Journey of Hope.
And Rick Warren said, your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest pain.
And so that was what spoke to me, and I felt God calling me to be in this ministry.
And it has been a lot of challenges and all that, but it's also been very rewarding to see the people that go through cancer and the battle that they fight and to work with those people and just know that it shows me a way to be compassionate and to work with people. And that's what Chris preaches every Sunday.
[00:02:20] Speaker A: Well, and so you have kind of a unique perspective on it, being the kind of person who has experienced it, survived it yourself, but then also being able to now turn around and as you referred to in that Rick Warren quote, be a comfort to others.
Kind of as the scriptures say, comfort those with the same comfort that you have been given.
[00:02:41] Speaker D: So, Cindy, I'm Cindy Waldruff, and I'm really just a recipient of the. The benefits of this ministry. I honestly didn't know anything about the ministry.
I knew we had, like, blanket or what is the crochet, the shawls.
[00:02:56] Speaker C: I knew that.
[00:02:57] Speaker D: I mean, I knew there were several things. And of course, congregational care But I did not know we had a specific ministry for cancer. And I think sometimes it gets confused a little bit with Women of Hope because that was kind of started with a lot of the women here at this church, supported, you know, by this church for a long time. Anyway, I went on a trip with Linda last year, so that's how I met her. And then when I found out I had breast cancer, I was letting her in. Thurman know and Truman, no, I always call him the wrong name. And she's just been such a blessing to me and just a plethora of knowledge and just not telling me what to do, but in just helping me through the journey, helping me make decisions.
[00:03:42] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, so glad to have you here and we'll continue to be praying you through your journey as well.
So I guess I need to probably, you know, join the crowd here. There's a few pins around the table. Let me ask you guys a question and any or all of you guys can answer this. What is the Journey of Hope ministry?
[00:04:06] Speaker C: It's a one on one relationship with people that are going through cancer or have been through cancer to help them to have hope for the journey.
And what we do is we come alongside that person.
Mary Anderson is our fearless leader and she gets referrals from congregational care from others in the church or she hears about people and she assigns those to each one of us that work in that.
This started at Cancer Centers of America and they do program on it. And one of our leaders many years ago went and participated in that and the training.
So each one of us that joins Frazer Cancer Care Journey of Hope, we go through training on how to deal with this and what is involved and what to say, what not to say and how to come alongside people. And it has been a blessing to me and Alan can add to that.
[00:05:18] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a, it's a sure blessing to us. Yeah, I mean to, to walk beside these people and give them the hope that they need.
And for me it's, it's men.
And sometimes men are not as talkative or don't want to say, hey, I have an issue, I need somebody to walk with me. But they do, they need that. And yeah. And it tells you in the training, you know, that not only the person with cancer, but the caregiver also, you know, takes a lot of, you know,
[00:06:00] Speaker A: takes a real toll.
[00:06:01] Speaker B: Oh yeah, it takes a real toll on them as well. So I found that to be true as well.
Yeah.
[00:06:06] Speaker A: As you shared just a moment ago, it is really a blessing to Be able to be there for people in the midst of a difficult time.
People who listen to the podcast regularly will know, because I've brought it up a few times, that I also do counseling as kind of a side gig. And so sitting with people and talking through what they're going through. I know you're talking about men, especially, sometimes have a hard time kind of articulating about their feelings. But sometimes it's not just talking. Sometimes it is just sitting there.
[00:06:41] Speaker B: Oh, absolutely.
[00:06:42] Speaker A: And being there.
[00:06:43] Speaker B: Yeah. Listening. Just close your mouth and listen.
[00:06:48] Speaker A: Just letting. It kind of reminds me of that famous Mother Teresa quote about the way she prays. And she. When asked is like, when you pray, what do you say? She says, well, I don't pray. I listen. And they say, well, what does God say? Well, he listens.
[00:07:02] Speaker B: Well. One of the things that I've really learned is it's not only in the. In what I've experienced is not only praying for the individual and being there for the individual, but actually locking arms with them because there's so much physically that goes on during that time. And not a medical doctor, but other things that happen that you can aid and be care. Like going to get groceries, taking them a coffee, you know, sitting down and just talking.
[00:07:30] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:07:31] Speaker B: And visiting with them and then taking care of that caregiver as well, saying, is there anything we can do for you, you know, to help you out this week? It's very important.
[00:07:40] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, no, it's such an important ministry.
I think, you know, an important question to ask about this is what scriptures kind of serve as motivation and inspiration for each of you personally and your involvement with Journey of Hope.
It's probably a different perspective for where you are right now.
I don't know. Was there one that jumped to mind?
[00:08:05] Speaker D: Psalms 91, probably the whole chapter was. Has been a favorite of mine.
Just where it talks about God's angels watching over us and that he's there to protect us.
Another Psalms, and I'm horrible about remembering where things are.
[00:08:20] Speaker A: That's okay.
[00:08:21] Speaker D: 53, I think, though, where it says, when I'm afraid, I will trust in thee. When my children were little, we took them to Busch Gardens. I think it was the first time my daughter had ridden a roller coaster. And she was in a program called Awana, where they memorized Scripture. And she was about 4. And we put her on her first roller coaster and she got off and she laid down on the ground and started saying, when I'm afraid, I will trust in thee. When I'm afraid, I will Trust in thee. And she kept repeating that psalm all day long, but it just brought. That really was one of those things. Anytime fears kind of started to raise its head, which it really did. And I really was very blessed. God blessed me, and in so many ways during my journey that I never was really afraid. But there's certain times, you know, when you're just like, okay, what happens when I'm a primary caregiver for my parents, who are 92.
And so when I was down part of that time, I'm like, okay, how do I handle this? How do I handle this? But whenever I get fearful, that verse really was important, and music has always been very important to me. So I listened to a lot of music, and the old hymn, what a Friend we have in Jesus was probably one. I sang to myself a lot because a lot of what we go through is because we don't take it to him in prayer. So that was another big thing. And just the fact that I had so many friends from Frazer and outside that were praying for me made such a difference, and I could tell that difference.
[00:09:45] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. No, I appreciate you sharing that. You know, Scripture and really the, you know, the. The hymns, just the praise music, whatever it is, that kind of centers us back on God's presence in our lives, and particularly just how often scripture reminds us to not fear, encourages us, I would almost say gives us permission to not be afraid.
I will just say a little plug this week. I got to do the Frazer365 devotionals that are going out this week. It will be this past week. If you're watching this or listening to this, the week it comes out, and it was all on fear.
So that's one of those things that I think everyone struggles with in one way or another. And so there's so many good passages on that. Well, what about you guys?
[00:10:36] Speaker C: What Cynthia said about Psalms 91, When I was going through my cancer, that was prayed over me. And he will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you in his wings, his faithful promises, or your armor and protection.
And that was Psalms 91:4.
And I pray that over a lot of people because it feels comforting to feel like God's is wrapping you up in his feathers. And then Jeremiah 29:11 through 13 has always been something, because that's the promise that he gives you, that he's going to give you hope in a future, and that if you seek him, you'll find Him. If you pray him, he'll answer you. So that promise is great.
[00:11:28] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
Well, yeah. And Jeremiah is, I think, a really great example, specifically because you have. The people of Israel are really going through it at that time. And so for Jeremiah to come along in the midst of everything else that's happened up to that point in Jeremiah and to say, but God still has a plan for you, God still has a future for you, is really poignant in that moment. Alan, was there one that.
[00:11:57] Speaker B: Yeah, there's a lot. Yeah, there's a lot. And when Jesus was here, he was.
One of his main talking points was about serving, you know, and to love others, you know, as I love Q is his big command.
So, you know, and then there's some. There's Several, like John 17, I believe it is, where he talks about. And Chris actually talked about this this past weekend about the kingdom of heaven is extended, you know, or advanced when we extend our healing hands to people.
And that's really important that we, you know, to do that. And I think that cancer care is a big part of that. And then also Chris talked about several months ago in Romans, he talked about living in the Spirit.
[00:12:42] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: And it hit me so hard that day because we all have the Holy Spirit within us, but actually, you know, instead of just being with the Spirit, live in the Spirit, you know, and that just made a big impact on me. And so, yeah, those two are really important to me as a forward.
[00:13:02] Speaker A: Yeah. Well. And, you know, as you were talking a moment ago, just about.
In regards to your experience as someone who gets to, you know, be kind of in a counselor relationship is just how often in Proverbs, and I think it shows up in lamentations and Ecclesiastes, just an abundance of counselors being a major theme and wise counsel.
And just in regards to folks that, you know, particularly the men we talk about that may feel like, you know, I don't know. I don't know if I need all that, but, like, it's completely biblical to say, like, you need this, you need this help.
And whether or not you want to admit it, it is exactly the way we are designed, is to need each other. It's such a unique, unique opportunity to be able to do too.
Well, we have congregational care, I think.
And Cindy, you referred to just the fact that you hadn't really heard of this ministry.
And I think that raises a good question, like when we have a congregational care ministry, why is it so important that we have a ministry that is specifically focused on cancer care?
[00:14:23] Speaker D: I think one of the things is that congregational ministry, in my understanding, is really focused on the patient. Or the person that's going through something for the most part. I mean, I knew they do have some other situations, but that's for the most part. And it's so broad.
And a cancer diagnosis is just so different because it is that initial, you know, fear, the big C. And I mean, it's just like I waited 13 days for the results of my biopsy, which was. I didn't even think I was worried to start with. So I was like, oh, no big deal. You know, nobody in my family, my family's ever had breast cancer. This, you know, it's probably nothing. And that 13 day wait was just horrid. Yeah. So I think just the fact that someone who specifically trained, I guess, to, to just be support again, it's not something where they come in and say, okay, you need to see this person do this.
It's just that.
And typically women anyway have a tendency to share or overshare. There's not a woman that's had a baby that I'm going to tell you
[00:15:29] Speaker C: about having a baby.
[00:15:32] Speaker D: So it really was help. Those kind of things I think are helpful, especially for women. But and also a lot of, a lot of people came to my husband privately and just said, how are you doing? And he really appreciated that because most of the party was all about me.
And he appreciated the fact that some people came to him and said, you know, what's going on? How are you doing? How are you handling this? And so that was really helpful.
[00:15:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:16:00] Speaker C: And also it's a very unique ministry that there are so many different types of cancer.
You know, breast cancer is probably one of the number ones, but there are other cancers and these people go through different things.
And so being able to come alongside them and to talk to them about that is.
Frank knows that his, his person that he came alongside of had a different type of cancer than breast cancer.
[00:16:37] Speaker B: Yeah, the ability to be able to walk with somebody individually is really important with cancer. I think it's. And also I've said it a couple of times, the caregiver really works hard during that time and it's important to be there for them as well.
[00:16:57] Speaker A: Yeah, well, there's so many different facets of this and it's just, it's like so many different things in our lives, you know, tragedies or storms as we might call them.
Quite often, until you're in it, there are going to be parts of it that really surprise you unless you've walked alongside somebody or have somebody to walk alongside it with you.
[00:17:19] Speaker B: And Cynthia said A good point. That waiting period when the cancer patient has scans is very, very difficult.
And I found that to be true with all three of my guys.
[00:17:35] Speaker A: The day that this comes out, we're going to have a bit of a special emphasis, and some of you will be in the atrium ready to talk to anybody who has questions about Journey of Hope, whether they want to volunteer or if they have them, or a loved one who might benefit from the support offered by Journey of Hope.
How can they get involved? Involved? If they're listening to this after that Sunday, how should they reach out and contact?
[00:18:08] Speaker B: You know, call the. Call the desk here at Frazer and ask, and I'm sure you'll get, you know, connected with. Somebody can help you. We'd be glad to pray with you and talk with you about what we could do going forward.
[00:18:21] Speaker A: Yeah.
Linda, you mentioned Mary.
[00:18:24] Speaker C: Yes, Mary Anderson will be there, and she is a great source of information.
But we also have a Frazer email address that people can go to, but they can also go through the front desk or go through congregational care here.
[00:18:40] Speaker A: Yeah. And if you're listening to this on podcast or watching it on YouTube, I'll make sure that there are some details in the description of this episode. So if you're curious about that, just check that out as well.
So people outside of the Frazer family will listen to this podcast. We have people that attend other churches, some leadership at other churches. And, Michael, question is, what would you say to encourage them? What would you say to encourage other churches to be active in ministry to people in their community who are on a journey with cancer?
[00:19:18] Speaker D: I think for any church, excuse me, outside of Frazer that it's a ministry they really ought to consider because there's somebody in that congregation, you know, that's had cancer, if not more than one, obviously. And just the fact that our goal is Christians is to be community, to live life together and to support each other. And there's just nobody going through cancer that doesn't need something. Whether they're lost or saved, whether they know the Lord or if they don't, they obviously need more.
[00:19:48] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:19:49] Speaker D: Because we need to be that hands and feet of Jesus and show them the love of Christ during a time when they're scared and they don't know what's fixing to happen and when, you know, they need to get those eternal questions answered.
[00:20:02] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:20:02] Speaker D: So I think it's a perfect ministry for reaching the laws, for the gospel, with the gospel, or just for comforting those who maybe don't have the best opinion of the church.
Haven't had the best experience with the church to be that church for them.
[00:20:21] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:20:22] Speaker C: Yes. And like I said, Mary Anderson would be glad to train up another church for this. I was just this morning talking to a friend of mine who says she lives in Alex City and she says we really need this in Alex City. How do I get plugged in? And I told her the same thing. Contact Mary Anderson about this and about the training that we go through.
[00:20:46] Speaker A: Yeah. I have seen its effects on friends and co workers over the years and I'm just grateful to have it. I'm grateful to be able to say that my church has it and brag on the existence of it. I'm glad we're able to feature it and just really encourage folks to take advantage of it. Now, finally, what words of hope do you have for anyone who may be listening to this that are currently living with cancer diagnosed?
[00:21:27] Speaker C: There are so many things that are happening now in cancer diagnosis and so many new treatments. And we have being in Montgomery, we have a great resource here in the Montgomery Cancer center and in the doctors and even if you go somewhere else, there are so many new things that are happening and the survival rate is so much better than it was even five years ago. And I'm a five year survivor.
So you have hope and don't lose. Lose hope.
[00:22:10] Speaker D: Yeah, well, I think in no matter what we're going through, but our hope is in Christ and that's our final hope. And you know, I'm very thankful that my journey has been easy compared to a lot of other people and, but, and I had a positive outcome in my opinion. But if, you know, if that wasn't God's will. My sister died of lung cancer at 30 totally unexpected, totally random type cancer in the wrong place.
And she didn't have the outcome I had. Yeah. So sometimes it's just holding that person's hand through what might be the most difficult time in their life. And they're family's life or their caregiver's life.
[00:22:54] Speaker B: Yeah. Having that faith during a time of fear is so important. Christ is with us.
And you know, like I said earlier, living in the spirit, the Holy Spirit's within you. Live in the spirit.
[00:23:09] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:23:10] Speaker C: And finally I would just like to say Frazer is here for you.
And if you need something and contact us, you know, we are here for you. We're here for this community and the river region.
[00:23:25] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, that's absolutely true. And for the issue of a cancer diagnosis and so many other things.
Life is not meant to be lived alone.
There are going to be to be struggles. There's going to be something at some point in everyone's life where needing that community of people that you can rely on.
And just how true it is that while financial poverty creates a great strain, relational poverty, where you don't have a network of people that you can reach out to and in some ways is a greater tragedy. And I love being a part of community that can help answer that for people in a variety of circumstances. Well, thank you guys, really appreciate your time. Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your participation in this ministry.
Blessings on you in that and we will be praying for God's continued blessings as so many people are in such a crossroads when they come to this ministry and there's such a great opportunity and great need for that Holy Spirit presence to be made known in their lives. So thank you guys for that, thank you for sharing and thank you for joining us and we hope that this was encouraging to you. If you know of anyone who could benefit from hearing about this, please feel free to share it. Give us a like or a review or a comment wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to join us next time as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission by living the Great Commandment.
