Simply Soul Care–an oasis of hope by youth workers, for youth workers
Posted by Kami on Aug 15, 2011 in Soul Care | 3 commentsIn my role as the director of SYMC I try to connect with and love on as many SYMC attendees before, during and after the conference as possible. But every year my heart breaks at the stories that unfold in some of the conversations and emails from so many hurting youth workers. Sometimes it’s just a simple need for a listening ear and encouragement, and other times youth workers are looking for advice from a veteran who understands. But the worst are the scary, desperate situations—youth workers who are at the breaking point and have no safe place to find shelter, and no pastoral support.
A few years ago at SYMC we began offering a free, confidential ministry called “The Shelter,” which was staffed by dozens of volunteer veteran youth workers who were willing to pastor, counsel, pray with and encourage hurting youth workers. The response was overwhelming, but it was even more evident that offering this ministry service for only 3 days a year was not enough.
My friend Len Evans (who oversaw the Shelter ministry program at SYMC) finally put legs on the idea of year-long soul care ministry for youth workers. He approached us with a well-thought out plan to launch “Simply Soul Care—an Oasis of hope by youth workers, for youth workers.” We knew Len had the experience, passion and humility to serve as SYM’s official “Pastor to Youth Pastors”—but his detailed vision for Simply Soul Care aligned with our heart and values so perfectly it was obvious this had to come to life.
So after a few months of planning and building a team of veteran youth workers willing to volunteer a few hours each month to serve on our Soul Care Advocate Team—we’re finally here! Simply Soul Care went live today—youth workers can fill out the care request form and submit it online, and within 24 hours (or less) they’ll be contacted by a Soul Care Advocate (a veteran youth worker) who has been custom matched to meet the needs of the youth worker. It’s free, confidential support, and the Soul Care Advocates not only listen, encourage and pray with the youth workers, they can also help get them connected to professional counseling or pastoral help in their local area as well as get connected to other youth workers and networks in their area.
We’re grateful to have the support of so many youth workers who poured in their time, prayer and willingness to be a part of this ministry. It’s truly the body of Christ coming together to strengthen one another for soul care, encouragement and healthy ministry for the long haul!
Check out the Simply Soul Care website and spread the word to other youth workers! It’s free, it’s safe, it’s about time we all rallied to support YM together!
Kami, first of all I never thought I would be the one on this side of this discussion. I cannot tell you how helpful and necessary this is. I am not ashamed to say to you that there are days I find myself crying overwhelmed with confusion and yes anger. This is the first time in my life I find myself without direction, like a boat w/o a rudder. Thank you for your persistence and undying favor towards youth workers.
A couple of years ago I fell apart.. I started having panic attacks. I started having a hard time focusing. My chest was tight and I couldn’t breath. For a week I had a tingling in my hands and feet. I couldn’t drive. I would lie in bed at night and ask my husband if I was dying. Others I know suffered from extreme insomnia. One friend had partial temporary paralysis in his face. It was all because of stress in ministry. A friend of mine said once, ” I never thought I could fall so hard doing something I loved so much.” Ministry gets lonely- so lonely. The diagnosis was that I had extreme anemia and my serotonin was almost totally depleted. I needed an outlet. It felt like there was no one to talk to. I didn’t feel like I could talk to others in my ministry with me. It was “inappropriate” for me to talk to the volunteers who came to serve. So I got swallowed up. I didn’t need to crash. If I had someone to reach out to. Someone who had been there. My mentors had crashed as well unfortunately so I couldn’t go to them either. The Lord allowed me to listen because he brought me to my knees and back to remembering it isn’t what I do FOR him but about being WITH him. I am thankful for Simply Soul Care. It gives us someone to talk to BEFORE it falls apart. It gives us others who have been there. Sometimes you just need to hear, “You are not alone . It will be alright.” That is enough.
I’ve had a few conversations and webchats with Len. I’m very impressed with his heart for youth ministers. Can’t wait to see where this ministry goes in the future as in part of his leadership