Be inspired by Betty-Anne Van Rees’s journey of faith, resilience, and her dedication to strengthening the church's role in caring for its congregation.
Adrian sets the stage by reiterating Arise Canada's mission: to equip churches to provide sustainable and joyful care for their members. The episode begins with Hildy introducing Betty-Anne, highlighting the impactful first encounters through Betty-Anne's materials and speaking engagements, which led to her interest in her work and expertise in biblical counseling.
Betty-Anne shares her story, beginning with the personal loss of her husband, which catalyzed her passion for soul care within the church. Having been married for seventeen and a half years and raising children, Betty-Anne's life was upended, leaving her to navigate legal battles, a half-finished home, and her profound grief. Despite the overwhelming challenges, she found support within her church community and individuals who rallied around her in practical ways. However, what was notably missing was the "soul piece"—the deeper understanding and application of biblical truths to life's challenges.
She recounts her turning point during an encounter with a radio conversation with John MacArthur about the sufficiency of scripture, leading her to seek guidance through biblical counseling. This journey of seeking solid, hope-filled answers propelled Betty-Anne into a formal study, ultimately resulting in a master's degree in biblical counseling. She attributes her growth to the combined support from her church community and her unwavering pursuit of biblical wisdom.
Betty-Anne's involvement now extends to leading training sessions for churches, aimed at building capacity for care within the church. She stresses the need for both formal and organic structures of care—a blend of planned interventions and spontaneous, compassionate outreach fueled by the teachings of Jesus.
An important highlight from the episode is the discussion around practical steps for churches to encourage openness and vulnerability within their congregations. Betty-Anne notes that leadership plays a crucial role by setting examples of humility and transparency, fostering an environment where members feel safe to share their struggles.
The conversation also touches on the Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition's mission to make biblical care accessible to Canadians across the country. Betty-Anne shares her vision for churches to embrace this resource as a means of strengthening their spiritual and communal fabric, ultimately enabling them to better serve inside and outside their congregations.
Quotes:
- Betty-Anne on church support: "There was practical support around me... but that soul piece was missing for all of us."
- On the role of personal ministry: "The care of the souls of the people includes the personal ministry of the word, not just the public ministry of the word."
- Her advice for leaders: “You are building up the body, and it's too much to think that it can happen from the pulpit alone.”
This episode not only offers insights into Betty-Anne's personal journey and testimony but also serves as a call to action for churches to refine their approach to care, emphasizing the importance of blending tangible support with spiritual depth.
Comments