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Dr. Saunders founded the Friendship Ministry to help churches provide support to members who are experiencing emotional distress. The Friendship Ministry has been taught both in the United States and internationally, including training programs in Malawi and Zambia. The Friendship Ministry is supported by the Meros Center.
The Friendship Ministry helps churches expand their capacity to help those with mental health problems. The church's Pastor selects a Co-Leader, and they go through training to select, train, and supervise laypersons to become Friendship Ministers.
Friendship Ministers are not trained to be mental health professionals. The support offered through a Friendship Ministry program at a church is short term and focused on problem-solving. Under the supervision of their Pastor and Co-Leader, they listen and provide support and strategies for effective problem-solving.
When professional care is needed, Friendship Ministers encourage members to obtain appropriate services.
The Pastor, Co-Leader, and Friendship Ministers constitute their church's Friendship Ministry Team.
The FM Team tailors the program to fit the particular needs and resources of their church.
The strategies of the Friendship Ministry are biblically grounded, and they are consistent with modern mental health care.
More information and resources can be seen at the Meros Center website.
Interested in learning more about the Friendship Ministry?
If you would like more information about the Friendship Ministry, about training opportunities, or even bringing the program to your congregation or organization, please contact Dr. Saunders using the form below. He will respond as soon as possible.