Family Life Ministry Leaders Complete Certification

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Relationship Ministries Department recently hosted a Family Life Certification training at Allegheny East Conference’s Headquarters in Pine Forge, Pa. Local church family life leaders from New Jersey to Virginia participated in a 10-module, train-the- trainer weekend. The training was designed to equip leaders to implement “trauma-informed, Bible-based, relevant and restorative programs” for families, couples and parents in the local church.

Led by experts in their respective fields, the 10 modules were: Biblical Foundations for Family Ministries; It’s Just a Phase—Human Growth and Development; Modern Family—A Fresh Perspective on the Family; Parenting in the 21st Century; Good Sex vs. God Sex—Sexuality Education; For Better or Worse—Marriage Enrichment; Can We Talk? Principles of Effective Communication; The Family in Transition—Death, Divorce and Difference; Can’t We Just Get Along? Anger and Conflict Resolution; and Family and Mental Health.

“We wanted our local church leaders to have practical tools to provide relevant programming and ministry to families,” says David Defoe, Relationship Ministries director.

The training was made possible due to a grant from the Columbia Union Conference. “A special thanks to Marcellus T. Robinson, Columbia Union president, and Frank Bondurant, former vice president for Ministries Development, for making the training possible,” says Defoe.

“It was a very powerful and Holy Spirit-filled weekend. I encourage members to pray for their family life leaders and support their efforts,” shares Edward Brinson, church elder at the Rehoboth church in Reading, Pa.