Cancer Care Ministry Leadership Training

IMMERSION is a cancer care ministry open to anyone who is ready to make a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer. We want to bring practical support, courage, compassion and above all HOPE to every person in our community affected by cancer.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. – Romans 12:10-14 NIV

What does a church-based cancer care ministry look like?

Typically, each church appoints a leader to champion the cause. The leader receives training and materials before starting a small group in his or her church. Then, each group engages in training that provides the biblical, intellectual, and practical foundation for performing cancer care ministry. Once this training is complete, participants are commissioned to begin ministering.

This ministry can take on various forms depending on the needs of each church and community. But it involves bringing hope led by faith, assistance, and encouragement to cancer patients, as well as their caregivers, family, and friends. After the training, the small group meets regularly to share testimonies, receive further training, and encourage one another. The group leader takes on the role of a mentor and helps support and coordinate the work of the ministry.

Why Cancer Care Ministry Is So Important

Every Church recognizes that prayer is important and meaningful. Many churches understand that practical help, meals, and visits are also valuable. But very few in the body of Christ have come to recognize the unique and specific trials that those dealing with cancer face in order to develop the type of ministry that can truly bring hope to a life.

Cancer care ministry is critically important because the kind of ministry that has been successful with other sicknesses is often not as effective with cancer. And sometimes, the first reaction of a minister can be the exact opposite of what would help a cancer patient.

Simply put, cancer affects the spirit differently from what most people have understood or experienced. In order to effectively minister in this area, we need to become more like Christ in ways that we may have overlooked in the past.

During the training, pastors, individuals, and organizations will join with a select group of pastors, church leaders and community leaders from around the country for an Immersion™ into the spiritual and practical methods of bringing hope, care, and comfort through cancer care ministry.

Who should attend?

Immersion™ recommends that each church or community-based organization interested in providing cancer care ministry to members of their congregation and community send two representatives, the senior or associate pastor and/or another trusted leader who has been endorsed by their senior pastor, to a Immersion Cancer Care Leadership Training. Every leader who attends represents the potential to touch thousands of lives.

What is the cost to attend?

The Immersion™ team will provide attendees with lunch on the first day, and second day. In addition, all training, materials, and curriculum are provided at no cost to attending delegates. You are responsible for transportation and lodging.

What do I need to do to create my own cancer care ministry?

The Immersion™ team encourages and supports the formation of your own cancer care ministry at your location, by providing the relevant materials, tools, and resources. Interested church-related individuals or organizations may obtain further information as well as access to relevant materials (incl. Immersion™ logo), tools and resources only upon completion of an Immersion™ Cancer Care Leadership Training.

What Happens at Immersion™Cancer Care Leadership Training?

Day 1 begins with a networking lunch. The meal will provide attendees with the opportunity to meet and talk with the pastoral staff, some cancer treatment staff members and other church leaders.

The afternoon is centered on learning about cancer, hearing cancer patients, and caregiver testimonials and learning how God has called us to minister to those impacted by cancer.

The day continues as Christian medical professionals explain the basics of cancer and give a guided tour of a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility (when available and location of training) to get a glimpse at the daily life of a cancer patient. The evening concludes with a light dinner and a worship service.

Day 2 will teach you how to start a cancer care ministry in your church or community-based organization. You will be introduced to Immersion™ curriculum materials and will learn how to train individuals for cancer care ministry.

You will learn the practical hands-on tools you can use to breathe life into the concepts and ideas introduced on the first day.

Lunch is provided on the second day. After an inspiring lunch session, the graduate leaders return home with the knowledge and resources for launching their own small group cancer care ministry.

For more information on enrollment please contact Dr. Marubian Affinii @ 202-390-1237.