R&R: Refresh and Renew

Love INC Sioux County is partnering with local service agencies to support and equip our Sioux County pastors. Ministry work is God’s work but that doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging. Our goal through Refresh & Renew is to feed your soul and provide information on a variety of relatable topics by engaging area professionals. As partners in ministry, our prayer is that we can learn and grow together to serve our neighbors well.


        R&R: Refresh and Renew sessions will resume in September 2024


APRIL SESSION
Multicultural Communication

Martha Draayer, Director of Intercultural Development at
Northwestern College

 Martha co-founded a bilingual church with Jason Lief in Sioux Center called Maria Magdalena Reformed Church. She shared her expertise and knowledge about cross cultural interactions in the church today to encourage and build up pastors. Martha came to the US when she was 3 years old and she’s passionate about helping people acclimate to and understand the culture they live in. 

Rachel Valentine

MARCH SESSION

Navigating the Complexities of Divorce from a Christian Perspective

Rachel Valentine, Partnering Director, Therapist, LMHC, NCC 

In our broken world, many families deal with divorce. Rachel Valentine, from All Things New Therapy in Orange City, spoke to our pastors, on how to handle an impossible situation in a loving, supportive way where there are two people, sometimes more,  involved. Pastors and church leaders, gained insight on how to navigate this situation from a Christian perspective where there is the possibility of tension, anger and hurt from both sides. Children are also impacted by this, and Rachel spoke to the confusion this can cause. Broken relationships are a part of a sin filled world, but dealing with this emotion filled hardship, with grace and dignity is essential. 

Erin Kooi


FEBRUARY SESSION

Grow Old With Me: Journeying with Families through Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease

Erin Kooi, Occupational Therapist at Hegg Health Center 

Erin spoke to pastors at this month’s R&R:Refresh and Renew about the challenges of caring for someone with dementia of any kind. She leads a Memory Loss Support Group at Hegg Health Center that offers education, support, resources, ideas and discussion to those caring for someone with memory loss in a supportive healing environment. 

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JANUARY SESSION

Boundaries for Pastors: The Gift of Limits

Dale Ellens and Deon Wynia- spoke on the reality of a 24/7 calling that can leave the “shepherd” of the flock feeling depleted.  They gave guidelines to help Pastors see the value in stepping away to refresh and renew themselves in order to better use their gifts to God’s glory. 

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NOVEMBER SESSION

Suicide Prevention: Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR).

Sarah Heinrichs-Wurm, QPR Gate Instructor with Seasons Behavioral Health spoke to pastors about their role in suicide prevention through  planting seeds of hope. Pastors learned more about how to recognize signs a person may be suicidal, the risk factors of suicide and some Do’s and Don’ts of suicide prevention.

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OCTOBER SESSION

Mini-messages for Ministers: on self-care, family communication and relational impact

In October 2023 we welcomed 12 area pastors to our first R&R: Refresh and Renew. 

Dr. Shawn Scholten and Dr. Dayton Vogel, from the Creative Living Center shared “Mini Messages for Pastors” on the importance of self-care and boundaries. It was also an opportunity for pastors to share about the burdens and joys of their calling that often go unseen.