What is the Mission of Burden Bearers?
First we trust that the providence of our Sovereign God has redirected you to the Burdern Bearers website and you would like to know more about us before you click on that "Chat" or "Text" button. We welcome the opportunity for an introduction.
Burdern Bearers was developed to offer an online ministry, appealing to broken brothers and sisters to be reconciled to Christ and His Church. We know that many of our fellow Christians are caught in serious trespass, ensnared in deeds of darkness, even overtaken and not sure where to turn for help. They need:
- Reconciliation with Christ
- Restoration to the Body of Christ
- Encouragement for a continued relationship with both Christ and the "new man" that He is building us into, as His Bride.
Fellow believers often ask:
"Who can I really talk to, and actually say these things out loud? "
Burden Bearers has a mission to be one of those options. As a community and as well as His adopted children, we have been commanded to care for each other as we struggle to walk in a manner that is consistent with our faith.
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."
Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:1,2
We live in an age that caters to anonymity. We can be as anonymous and invisible as we want. No one knows what we do day-in and day-out…really! Sadly, many Christians (including many, many who serve within the church or on the mission field) take their appetites, passions, and desires and run to the darkness.
"The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray." Prov. 5:22-23.
Does Selecting the Chat Button Allow Me to be Anonymous? Yes
You decide on your Chat “Name” by using any first name with additional alpha-numeric characters as needed for identifier uniqueness. That is all that is required to get started. Of course, you are always welcome to share more details as you might believe helpful, but this choice is always up to you. You can share and discuss what has ensnared your heart, broken your walk, and we can shoulder and share those burdens, pray with you, and point you to the Savior. We can minister the same Christ and gospel message to you that always is “good news” that restores one's soul.
What are the Core Beliefs of Burden Bearers and Their Volunteers?
We hope you would ask this question. We are born-again Christians who embrace our Statement of Faith and who have a passion to serve the Body of Christ in the difficult burden bearing situations of the Christian life.
Each of us has a clear understanding of the Biblical Gospel that man is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And, each of us understands that all of us are transformed to be more like Christ in the same manner. Many of us have been pierced as well by the enemy and can relate with brokenness. We understand that our role is to point you to the vertical, our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, reconciliation and restoration can only come as our eyes and hearts are opened by perceiving in His light the very truth we need to cry, “Abba Father”.
LORD, You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light. Psalm 36:6-9
Some of us have seminary degrees from conservative evangelical seminaries. Some of us serve as elders and pastors of churches. Some of us are just older and mature Christians who have been well taught in the Word of God and have a strong desire to show mercy and care for broken sinners… just like us! We have both men and women volunteers and our volunteers span many age groups.
How Do You Work with Local Churches?
This is another question that we hope you ask. We view ourselves as an online extension to a church community and our end goal is to always restore a person to fellowship within a local church. We believe that often a believer ensnared in sin is too ashamed to turn to their fellow church members or leaders for help. Or perhaps, they do not believe their church has the resources to really help.In addition, we are building a directory of Recommended Churches in most of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for those who may not have a good local church option. Finally, it is the goal for all our volunteers to come as recommendations from the leaders of our Recommended Church list as well as subscribing to Burden Bearer polices and our Statement of Faith. Thus, our volunteers are both prayerfully and carefully chosen.
Are all your Services Really Free? Yes.
Our services are always free. We believe it would be biblically wrong to charge a fellow believer for the ministry of the Word of God and Gospel truth. In the book of James we read:
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” James 5:19-20
If we love the family of God, we will want to seek, restore and strengthen our family members, knowing we could be in the same spot if we aren’t “looking to ourselves, lest we too be tempted”. We are not representing ourselves as professional counselors; we are just Christians who have a desire to minister in this manner. Bottom line, the ministry of the Word of God and of Gospel truth should always be free; there can be no charge for His “good news”!
How long are you willing to chat with me?
As long as you wish and as long as we believe our ministry is having a spiritually transforming impact. Our goals are to help you be restored to our Lord and His Church. We may give you scriptures for meditation and reflection, sermons, and articles to encourage and edify. We will pray for you, pray with you and, hopefully, stimulate your own prayer life. Finally, if you save your Chat ID, you can always come back and re-connect with the same volunteer to keep the discussion going.
How can I apply to be a volunteer?
The first step would be for us to so some basic discovery and determine if your church is a good fit to be part of our Recommended Church list. You or a leader of your church may contact us at:
info@burdenbearers.org