Written by Judy Jongsma. My heart went out to the women who commented about the rape of Tamar. She wondered how God could let that happen. I'm not always sure either why awful and damaging things occur to those who believe and trust God. However, I always try to remember that God is good but we also have the devil who works hard at making us doubt God. We have sin in the world - which includes rape, sickness, pandemics etc. I hope and pray that this may help this lovely Christian lady. I'm serve as the chair of our Safe Church Ministry Team at church. It's hard to change the culture of a church community. Some people just don't believe that sexual misconduct happens within a church community. There are plenty of us who know that isn't true at all. We live in a sinful world in and outside of the church. We also need to remember that God reigns and he sent his ONLY son to be an atonement for those sins. Praise God.
Welcome Amanda! Thank you for sharing your story and how God has prepared you for this position. I serve as the chair of our Safe Church Ministry Team in our church. I am so grateful for the support that our denomination has given to me and to the church at large. I look forward to meeting you some time in the future. God bless you in this new position.
Bonnie, I was so sorry to read of your retirement as the CRCNA Safe Church Director. You inspired me (along with the Holy Spirit's nudging me) to become involved with this ministry. I have learned so much about the various forms of abuse and have met so many wonderful Christian people through my involvement with Safe Church. I want to thank you personally and also on behalf of the many people who you helped during these years as our director. You are truly a gift from God. I pray that you will find somewhere else to use your gifts to glorify God. Blessings to you and your family Bonnie.
I appreciated the article regarding inviting a representative of Safe Church to Classis meetings. I am the coordinator for Safe Church for Classis East Grand Rapids. Classis East has been very enfolding of Safe Church within that body. I am grateful for their support and the importance that Safe Church has within this body of believers. If only more Classes would become involved with Safe Church and make it an important ministry we could begin to see a reduction of abuse within our Christian community. Thank you for this fine article and reminding people of the role of Safe Church within our denomination. Judy Jongsma
Posted in: Bible Story Discussion: The Rape of Tamar
Written by Judy Jongsma. My heart went out to the women who commented about the rape of Tamar. She wondered how God could let that happen. I'm not always sure either why awful and damaging things occur to those who believe and trust God. However, I always try to remember that God is good but we also have the devil who works hard at making us doubt God. We have sin in the world - which includes rape, sickness, pandemics etc. I hope and pray that this may help this lovely Christian lady. I'm serve as the chair of our Safe Church Ministry Team at church. It's hard to change the culture of a church community. Some people just don't believe that sexual misconduct happens within a church community. There are plenty of us who know that isn't true at all. We live in a sinful world in and outside of the church. We also need to remember that God reigns and he sent his ONLY son to be an atonement for those sins. Praise God.
Posted in: New Director, Amanda Benckhuysen: "Why I Want to Work With Safe Church Ministry"
Welcome Amanda! Thank you for sharing your story and how God has prepared you for this position. I serve as the chair of our Safe Church Ministry Team in our church. I am so grateful for the support that our denomination has given to me and to the church at large. I look forward to meeting you some time in the future. God bless you in this new position.
Judy Jongsma
Posted in: Changes for Safe Church Ministry as Director Plans to Retire
Bonnie, I was so sorry to read of your retirement as the CRCNA Safe Church Director. You inspired me (along with the Holy Spirit's nudging me) to become involved with this ministry. I have learned so much about the various forms of abuse and have met so many wonderful Christian people through my involvement with Safe Church. I want to thank you personally and also on behalf of the many people who you helped during these years as our director. You are truly a gift from God. I pray that you will find somewhere else to use your gifts to glorify God. Blessings to you and your family Bonnie.
Judy Jongsma
Posted in: Invite Safe Church Ministry to Your Next Classis Meeting
I appreciated the article regarding inviting a representative of Safe Church to Classis meetings. I am the coordinator for Safe Church for Classis East Grand Rapids. Classis East has been very enfolding of Safe Church within that body. I am grateful for their support and the importance that Safe Church has within this body of believers. If only more Classes would become involved with Safe Church and make it an important ministry we could begin to see a reduction of abuse within our Christian community. Thank you for this fine article and reminding people of the role of Safe Church within our denomination. Judy Jongsma