Supporting the Wellbeing of PCA Pastors’ Wives
Supporting the Wellbeing of PCA Pastors’ Wives.
Pastors’ wives have a unique role in the life of a church, supporting the women of the congregation and supporting the pastor himself. She may not hold an official title, but her impact cannot be overstated. However vital her position, it is one that is often overlooked. In fact, one survey* found that 7 out 10 pastor’s wives feel they have few people they can confide in. How can we come alongside these women to ensure they are supported? Our response: Cherish.
What is Cherish?
Cherish provides grants so that PCA pastors’ wives can access confidential Christian counseling. These grants are funded through your gifts to Geneva’s Relief Fund. When you invest in Cherish you invest in the health of the church.
Annie’s husband was a pastor. On the surface, their story seemed ideal. They had three children while her husband became a well-respected minister in their community.
But at home, things were quite different. Her husband’s relationship with her slowly deteriorated and their marriage became harder and harder to maintain. He became easily angered with her and their children and she grew fearful. Eventually, her marriage came to an end, and her husband’s ministry career ended with it.
“The first time I met with her I just cried.” That’s how Annie describes her first visit with her counselor. For sixteen years, Katie had suffered quietly and in isolation. Finally, she reached a breaking point. She knew she could not maintain her emotional and spiritual health on her own, so she decided to seek professional help from a Christian counselor.
It was around this time that Annie discovered Cherish, an initiative of Geneva Benefits Group to provide grants so that PCA pastors’ wives can access confidential Christian counseling. As Annie looks back, she observes, “The counselor was the first safe person I could talk with. She was able to help me see that I wasn’t crazy. If God hadn’t provided her, I don’t know how I would have made it.”
“If counseling had been expensive, I wouldn’t have done it.” — Annie
Your donation made it possible for Annie to find hope during a turbulent season of life. In a few months, Annie will finish nursing school and begin her career caring for others.
Join us in supporting pastors’ wives
Counseling can provide a necessary outlet for pastors’ wives to share their struggles within ministry, marriage, and spiritual health while getting professional, confidential, faith-informed guidance to handle the stress those things bring.
In our survey of PCA pastors’ wives, they indicated:
7 out of 10
feel they have few people they can confide in.
8 out of 10
said they would make use of Christian counseling if offered.
9 out of 10
believe they are perceived or treated differently than other women in the church.
Support pastors’ wives by donating to Cherish.
Here’s how you can contribute
Online
Give directly online here.
Mail your donation to payable to Ministerial Relief
PCA Ministerial Relief
PO Box 896761
Charlotte, NC 28289
*Include Cherish in the memo
Give Stock/Securities or through a Donor Advised Fund.
Download Instructions Here
Your gift is a partnership providing financial assistance and support to retired pastors, widows, and PCA ministry staff in need. Gifts to the Ministerial Relief Fund are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. PCA Retirement & Benefits, Inc. (RBI) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax Identification # (EIN) 74-3069926. In 2022 we changed our name to Geneva Benefits Group but continue to use our existing EIN.
“Cherish provided me a safe place to heal and be refreshed. Thank you for caring not only for pastors but their wives as well. I feel like we are finally being seen.”
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