Chaplain's Corner

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

Mark King, Director of Support Services & Christian Education

One of the greatest honors that I have had in my 33 years of ministry is being the Chaplain here at HopeTree Family Services.

Our Mission at HopeTree, expresses why I love this place and my position, “Through God’s love, we foster hope by empowering families, youth, and adults to lead fulfilling lives.” This Mission statement gives me the honor of serving every client, family, employee and our guests in the community with the Gospel of Hope. For it is the good news of liberty through and in Christ Jesus that makes this company unique. For being a faith-related institution gives us opportunities for sharing that ‘Good News.’

My priority for our Chaplain Care Services is to help meet the spiritual needs of the staff and clients we serve across the Commonwealth of Virginia. That mean if anyone has need of Chaplain/Pastoral Care Services at Hope Tree that my door is always open to answer prayer requests with reverence, visiting the sick with confidentiality and giving an open door for furthering Christian Education.

With a company as large as ours the task of being the Chaplain is a challenge but one that I relish every day. Within the Chaplain Care Program that we have at HopeTree I have had the pleasure of extending Christian Education in practical life situations. Over the last three years we have built a team of self-giving employees with the opportunity to be a part of our ‘Cancer Care Team.’

What is Cancer Care? It is a bunch of wonderful employees who have been trained specifically to help others when diagnosed with Cancer. Beside myself we have seven staff members across the state who are and being trained and supported by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Cancer care ministry, is a hope ministry. While it involves prayer, visits and assistance, it is centered on bringing God's hope to patients and their caregivers, family and friends. This requires an understanding of the impact of cancer, how people react to it and how God has called His people to respond. Above all, it requires us to have within ourselves an unfeigned hope that we can take to those in need.

This Bible-based ministry training program through the Chaplains Office at HopeTree has been developed to equip God's people with the tools needed to bring hope with those who are living with cancer.

Pray for the Chaplains Ministry as we provide training and care for our HopeTree Community. Pray for our continued service in excellence to those less fortunate with the Good News of Christ. As I tell those who choose our services, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9