Ministry Updates
Can we help people gain hope
in these times of loss?
A message from Pam.
Even in these unprecedented times, in the middle of a pandemic, grief does not obey distancing rules—it continues to infect the hearts of those who are facing the loss of loved ones. Things are beginning to open slowly in our home state of New York—one of the hardest hit in all of America—but we've yet to be able to hold a work night to assemble bereavement packages to send. Yet, even apart, we soldier on remotely as God allows and leads, thanks to the dedication of our all-volunteer staff.
We continue to receive package requests. Emily has been wonderfully designing our unique remembrance documents. Jack is keeping our finances in order, and our website running smoothly. Sue, Cheryl, and I have continued to order materials. Dan and I have been able to print the documents, assemble our package bubble bags which include our resource materials, while Cheryl and I have continued to put together each package that's been requested. When they're ready to mail, off I go to the post office, praying as each package is processed and ready to make its journey to the bereaved soul to whom it will find its way. The process is complete when Sue updates our database with the date each package is mailed.
And that's a brief summary of how Ben Min remains a place that Hurting Hearts continue to find in our needy world. It's like sending out a virtual hug from people who love the Lord, desire to serve Him, know what it's like to lose a dear loved one and just want to ease the suffering—for even just a l'il bit.
Requesting prayers and support to continue our mission.
We're thrilled that we've continued to deliver between 40-50 packages each month—and so thankful to be able to minister to families and individuals during one of the stormiest times in American history. What a JOY it is to do these tasks together, and, again, hopefully very soon. Pray hard, as there is a LOT in the news today about churches having the opportunity to open soon. That should be the green light for Ben Min, too.
At this time, we are sending out
a quiet cry for HELP...
We would love for this ministry work to continue. We know that these are trying times for family and individual budgets, but our ministry work can't continue if we can't raise the needed funds to keep Ben Min thriving. If there is any possibility for you to graciously Donate to Benjamin Ministries, we would be so very grateful! Whether it's one dollar or one hundred, or somewhere in between, any amount will help.
Our conviction
As long as God supplies needed funds to continue the work of Ben Min, we'll keep directing this hard and often sorrowful work—but with HOPE of a glorious eternal meeting for every soul Ben Min memorializes. If we know Jesus personally, by God's amazing grace we'll get to meet these souls—and hopefully their family members.
If you ponder that for just a few minutes, and realize what it really means, you have some idea of how deep and motivating our conviction is.
We know, God's—Got This—even in the middle of a Pandemic!
Thank you for loving on the bereaved ❤
How to order a custom Bereavement Package
It takes a few minutes, and it's free of charge:
https://benjaminministries.org/bereavement-package-request/
If you don’t have anyone to order a package for, perhaps you can help us by making a donation. Every penny helps us to help the bereaved:
https://pushpay.com/g/igmgorochester?src=hpp
God willing, soon we'll be able to meet again—and will need new volunteers. If you've never attended one of our package assembly and fellowship work nights, would you prayerfully consider doing so in the next few weeks?
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Bereavement Respite Project Update
This project sponsors couples or individuals who are experiencing complicated grief to a getaway for a two-night stay as a free gift from Ben Min. We hope that once current restrictions ease, we can again work with the Braddock Point Lighthouse B&B to make them happen. It's a peaceful escape from the regular routines of everyday life.
Please pray on behalf of this project that's so very dear to our hearts. If the Lord would so have it, we would send couples/individuals away every week on a bereavement respite! Of course, we will gladly receive donations to help us to keep this project running. Simply follow this link and and write "Bereavement Respite Project" in the notes ... benjaminministries.org/make-a-donation/
Just one more thought.
The Lord has asked me to look into expanding this project—whispering in His still small voice that perhaps we could send folks to cottages on our Finger Lakes, and our very own Lake Ontario. I am certain that there are cottage owners who would like to become involved with this endearing project as a way to help folks who are experiencing complicated grief. This helpful, healing experience can help transform the bereaved in such an impactful way.
If you are a cottage owner who would consider donating a weekend at your cottage—or you know someone who would be interested (midweek nights would work, too)—please contact Pam, so we can figure it out; if the Lord is calling you, you'll know. Listen to that voice!
Let's start a Bereavement Respite Movement on behalf of the bereaved!
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Smile: Help Ben Min when you shop Amazon—no cost to you.
In these times of quarantine and distancing, we've all had to do more of our shopping online—and every time you do that, the AmazonSmile program gives you a chance to support Ben Min.
What is AmazonSmile?
A simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the same prices, selection and shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
Since Ben Min is under the umbrella of IGM, our charity on Amazon Smile had previously been International Gospel Missions, A Baptist Mission Agency, Inc.
But now, we can now be found under Benjamin Ministries.
If you've never used Amazon Smile, search for Benjamin Ministries and choose us as your supporting charity.
If you had been supporting Ben Min through AmazonSmile using IGM's organization, you can now easily change it so you see Ben Min front and center! Just click in the "Supporting" box and Ben Min should come up, and click "Change." Once you've done that, you may still need to search for Benjamin Ministries and select it—but once that's done, we will appear right in your top toolbar.
Every penny helps us continue our work, so please take a moment to update or sign up to support Ben Min! You shop exactly the same way, use your same Amazon login and password, and have all your Prime benefits, but when you shop just log in under smile.amazon.com. You can bookmark it so it comes up every time. Thanks so much!
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Benjamin Ministries is a pioneering outreach. If you would like the support of Benjamin Ministries in your church, please introduce this ministry to your pastor, minister or deacon. We work hard to help fill the void in Christ-centered bereavement. We believe that Christ-centered bereavement support and support groups should be more prevalent in churches around the US and the world. We will continue to pioneer to fill this void.
A ministry partner of
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How To Help Benjamin Ministries by Paying it Forward...
Steps for paying it forward to Ben Min:
1. Click on the donate here button below, which will link you to our website.
2. Follow the prompts to make a safe and secure donation.
In so doing, we won't have to hold one package back, and they will always be a free gift.
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Griever's Corner
We are always blessed and motivated when we hear from people who have ordered a package for a loved one, or received one themselves. Their heartfelt (and often heartbreaking) stories fill our hearts with conviction to continue reaching out to those who are hurting. Here are just a few examples of the messages we receive each month:
"Angel is my cousin, and she lost her son Clay. He was a medic stationed in South Korea, and died of unknown causes. He was only 20 years old. He leaves behind a wife Bridgette, his parents Mark and Angel, brother Cody, sister Lily and grandparents Danny and Darlene. This is devastating to their family through all this COVID-19 stuff going on—and with the world turning upside down right now, they might not be able to give him a proper burial, so I'm reaching out to you to help give them some comfort. Thank you sincerely."
—Cherie, North Carolina
"Thank you for this God-centered, awesome, and encouraging ministry. Your Bereavement Package for the loss of a child has helped to bring healing to many broken and grief-stricken mommies."
—Kim, Kentucky
"I actually got the idea to search for a bereavement package due to a book that I am reading, 'Finding Life After Losing One.' I lost my son Josiah when he was 4 years old due to a freak accident. It will be two years on 4/11/20. It still feels like it happened yesterday. Due to the nature of his passing, my three surviving sons and I were diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It took months of therapy to be able to function, but with the grace of God, we're getting there. Also, we've had a great support system from our friends and family. Thank you for these packages. They mean a lot.
—Carla, California
Please take a moment to share this link today:
"And this is why we do what we do"
The Ben Min Team
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to compare with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Romans 8:18
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"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Oh, we're dismayed, all right. In this country, most of us haven't seen anything like the pandemic in our lifetimes. But, the verse still stands. God has been there, done this. And He still says: "Be not dismayed." He will strengthen, help, and uphold those who put their faith and trust in Him alone. (Note: He doesn't say he'll make the trial magically disappear—although He can. Instead, He says He will help you through it.)
God's perfect inspiration is what put the words of His book on the pages, so there are no mistakes. Nothing that doesn't apply to today. Nothing that's out of date. Every word is useful for instruction every day. So, "be not dismayed"—be faithful instead. Reach out so that you may be in His righteous right hand.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4
What was David talking about? The valley of the shadow of death sounds like a horror movie title. Charles Spurgeon, writing about this verse, said it was clearly not intended only for believers who are sick and dying, but for the living. He wrote:
"...at this time if, through any particular trials, your soul is cast down within you, and you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I urge you to repeat the words of the text, and may the Lord help you to feel that they are true, — 'Yes, though (even now) I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.' The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. Do not postpone to the future what you so greatly need in the present."
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
So if God has not given us a spirit of fear, then where do we get it from? The world, of course. Our level of fear depends on how much we're walking in the world versus how much we're walking in the Spirit. If we're obsessed with the latest news and rumors and doomsday theories, we will fear. While it's important to know what's going on, better to immerse ourselves in scripture and prayer. Walking in the Spirit is the only way to experience the comforts of God.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:34
There's enough to think about today, without worrying about a future you know nothing about yet. As the old song says, "One day at a time, sweet Jesus." Cast today's cares upon Him, and let Him deal with tomorrow. No matter how bad it looks, or how bad it gets, He's got this.
But you have to lose your fear and put your faith in Him. If you've never asked Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior, do it now.
There may never be a better time to realize that the things of this world aren't the end goal—we're all just passing through. Where we go when we're done here depends on what you do today. If you want to spend it blissfully with Jesus—and escape trials and troubles forever—pray to Him now. Then no matter what happens, your story will have a happy ending.
"Say to those who are fearful-hearted, Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.'" - Isaiah 35:4
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BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
In the Light is an intimate look at the promises found in the Word of God, and how they can renew your mind and help you navigate the lonely sea of grief. Grieving the loss of a loved one is a process—we hope to be able to meet again soon to help each other work through it.
Sharing the grief recovery process can be very powerful and helpful. Meetings are held at the Pieters Family Life Center, 1025 Commons Way, Rochester, 14623, in a beautiful and tranquil room called The Chapel. The Center is graciously donating this space, and we thank God for it.
If you need bereavement support, or know one who does, spread the word about this beneficial group! Please pray that those whom God is calling to come will do so!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." II Corinthians 1:3,4
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We would love to form a second team of package assemblers to help us keep up with the package requests we receive every month.
We need to to hear from leaders who have a heart for the bereaved and are willing to take on this worthy task! If God is speaking to your heart right now, take action. Please email or call us now.
We meet twice per month at IGM, 990 Calkins Road, Rochester, NY 14623. Please check our website for upcoming work night dates.
Package assembly begins at 6:30 pm and usually lasts until 8:00 or 8:30, depending on the amount of supplies and package requests we have.
It's gratifying to know you've made a difference in the lives of those who have lost—and that you're serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, obeying His commandment to love and serve others.
WON'T YOU JOIN US?
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Other Ways To Help: Send us a Gift Card from Staples, Office Max, Walmart, Target, Michael's, or Jo Anne's.
Volunteers Needed In: Grant Writing Internship; Graphic Design; Email Newsletter Layout & Design; Fund Raising; Video Production; Bereavement Conference Speakers.
Please Send Us Your Story via Email, Facebook, or Twitter.
Send Us a Video Message of 20-45 Seconds: We may ask your permission to include it in a future Ben Min video. Tell us how the ministry has helped you in your bereaving journey, what God has taught you, or how you've grown closer to Him during stormy times. Send to: info@benjaminministries.org.
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