Thanks to Virginia Baptists
I want to make Virginia Baptists aware of a very important ministry being provided that is often unnoticed: Ministry to ministers and their families when the go through either forced termination or being driven to find a new place of ministry because of a church situation.
This is happening more and more often, yet may go unnoticed since such problems between congregations and ministers are something both want to keep quiet because of the stigma attached to being terminated or leaving a church under less than positive circumstances. This stigma causes ministers and their families to suffer, often in silence, without support, needlessly. I want to break the silence and let hurting ministers know there is help.
What began in December 2004 as a nightmare has become something that for me will serve as a springboard for further ministry. I want to thank Virginia Baptists for meeting my needs during this dark time by funding the Ministering to Ministers Foundation Inc. When I was at my lowest, I was referred to Charles H. Chandler, executive director of MTM. He immediately began to offer resources to provide support for my situation. With the looming possibility of losing my job, MTM was able to offer my wife and me a scholarship, provided by funding from Virginia Baptists, to attend MTM's Healthy Transitions: A Wellness Retreat for Ministers and Spouses.
It was during this retreat that my wife and I found, not only light at the end of a tunnel, but a roadmap to wellness that has enabled us to thrive during adverse conditions. Along with the help of John Tadlock of the empowering leaders team of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Virginia Baptists enabled me to turn around a bad situation and bring hope to my family and the church I have served. I'm not sure I would have made it through my tough situation if MTM had not been fulfilling their mission.
Virginia Baptists need to know how important the ministry they provided to my wife and me and other hurting pastors is through funding for the Ministering to Ministers Foundation. Thank you!
G. Bruce Queen, Richmond