Scripture says, ‘Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32, NIV). Sometimes we need a slightest understanding of who we are or the world around us – and it suddenly makes all the difference. We start to understand ourselves better, as well as other people and God.
Discovering small truths. That’s exactly what happened at the leaders’ training for Eurasia UMC ministers in the field of substance abuse prevention and treatment (November 23-26th, near Saint-Petersburg). The seminar was organized by the European Board on Drug and Alcohol Concerns (EBDAC). The experts in psychology, Mikhail and Nadezhda Telepovs (Samara UMC), shared their experience and ideas with the participants.
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How can one be free from addiction? Where are the roots of this issue? How can I help my beloved ones? Does my way of living matter? How can I grow a happy free child? How can one create true and well-balanced family relationships? These and other questions alike were raised and answered by our experts.
The participants of the seminar also got to know about the opportunity to get the support for developing the ministry in the field of substance abuse prevention and treatment in their local communities. They were trained how to start a project of this kind exactly there, at the seminar. It turned out to be so easy! Getting the information about the needs and peculiarities of some target group and then giving a helping hand to a neighbor.
Superintendent Alexander Vechersky, ‘For years of serving the addicted I’ve been worried with the question – Why are many of them unable to make faithful relationships within the church, becoming a part of ministry, even after a year of rehabilitation? Why do money and jobs become something more important to them than God Himself? …I’m very thankful to Mikhail and Nadezhda for now I know WHAT prevents the folks from complete recovery … – that’s the time necessary for healing their brain cells and strengthening the skills of life with Christ, … in order to equip them with the ability to resist the future temptations through the openness, faithfulness to themselves and the people and involvement in the church ministry.’
Bishop Eduard Khegay, ‘To me it was very practical to see the system analysis of a human, that is, a biological – psychological – social – spiritual model. I was especially impressed with ‘brain formation’ and ‘synaptic chart’. Besides, it was really helpful to test myself in terms of relapse scale and think of how I can do prevention and manage my life more effectively’.
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Superintendent Tatiana Menshova, ‘To me the seminar turned out to be very useful: I’ve realized my personal problems as well as those of my church members. But most important, I’ve received wise pieces of advice how to solve the long-lasting issues and overcome the sufferings of long ago … I’ve bought all the available books and I will use them for the ministry for the women and teenagers… Living freely is real, and that’s great!’
Leader Yelena Kitayeva, ‘Addiction and co-addiction… When testing yourself time after time, you realize: everything in life happens for some reason and puts its impact. All corrupted things can be corrected, but we can’t handle it without God’s power. Far from it! It’s time to think – may at least my children and grandchildren get more opportunities to live freely in Christ!’
It’s exactly us, the ministers of Eurasia UMC, who are responsible for the spiritual, psychological and physical health and well-being of our churches, families and the people whom we serve. Let’s bring to life the mission of Jesus Christ in this world – ‘to set the oppressed free’ and let’s always keep in mind that ‘the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.’ (Romans 8:21).
Pastor Vladimir Ditmar
Translate by V. Ditmar
Photo by S. Pugachev