Something Missing
The idea for a joint seminar on loneliness began when Mona, Vice President of ABCS’ Pursue Life Adult Ministry (PLM), participated in a panel on the topic. While the event raised awareness, she left with the feeling that something was missing. With a decade of experience serving aging adults through Pursue Life and church ministry, Mona had seen the emotional and physical toll loneliness can take. She felt strongly that more could be done to help people not only understand the issue while giving them the tools to actively work through it.
We Should Team Up
When the opportunity to do a seminar came up, Mona reached out to Scott Valentine, Director of ABCS’ New Life Counseling (NLC), to explore how they could address the issue together. Mona and Scott have often discussed the overlap between their departments and wanted to collaborate on creating resources for the individuals and churches served through the ministries they lead.
Pursue Life Adult Ministry serves an aging adult audience and brings valuable information for flourishing in all seasons of life. While New Life Counseling provides professional counseling insights, tools and techniques to help those in challenging seasons. Scott is a dynamic speaker offering a practical, tool-based approach to mental and emotional difficulties. Which complements Mona’s vast understanding of the aging community. Together, their shared goal was to provide both understanding and actionable help to those in need.
The Seminar and Looking Ahead
Scott and Mona both felt it was important to normalize the topic of loneliness. They recognized it as a common human experience with many causes. The seminar, called The Loneliness Epidemic, was hosted by Sun Lakes Chapel Center. They welcomed around 25 attendees, including members from three church groups and the local community. It helped participants explore what loneliness really is, who it affects, how to recognize it and how to respond. The event sparked honest conversations and active participation. This allowed people to feel less alone and more connected. By normalizing the experience of loneliness and providing practical steps forward, the seminar met a real need. Especially among aging adults who often suffer in silence.
The collaboration didn’t just make the event possible; it made it better. As Scott put it, “We are better together.” By combining the impact of both ministries, it offered a fuller picture, rooted in both professional expertise and understanding for each person who attended. While these two ministries are different they are complementary. Both pointing people toward hope, healing and deeper trust in Jesus.
Looking ahead, Mona and Scott are eager to continue collaborating, exploring topics like end-of-life discussions, retirement preparation and navigating relationships with adult children. Seminars on these topics will allow ABCS to continue to collaborate closely with churches and groups to equip individuals with important information to navigate the many seasons of life.
Far Reaching Collaborative Efforts
One of the many benefits of being an organization with seven ministries with one mission, is the holistic way people are served. Leader Care is a part of New Life Counseling. This program is dedicated to assisting pastors and church staff during crises when they lack a confidential support system within their congregations. This parachurch ministry ensures that church leaders have a safe space to seek counsel. In addition to supporting individual leaders, Leader Care provides guidance to entire congregations navigating difficult challenges, such as divisive topics, hiring or firing decisions, church discipline or any issues that may threaten the well-being of the local church.
In Arizona, a state with one of the nation’s largest aging populations, Leader Care serves in regions with significant numbers of senior residents. Bruce Canon, Leader Care Facilitator, works in a community with a high concentration of aging adults in Northern Arizona. His outreach was sparked by the opportunity to collaborate with Pursue Life Adult Ministry to share the Project Ready or Not workshop to the churches he serves. Bruce has led impactful workshops designed to prepare attendees for medical emergencies at home; address end-of-life wishes and assist with funeral pre-planning. Through its decade-long partnership with Pursue Life, Leader Care has provided churches and individuals with vital resources, strengthening communities by offering support, guidance and preparedness in times of need. God continues to work in the ministry and present new opportunities to join the efforts of multiple ministries to serve across Arizona in meaningful ways.