“Reaching Out to Those In Need” Training in Puerto Rico

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) in the Puerto Rico West District offered a training called “Reaching out to Those in Need” for pastors and district leaders. The goal was to offer ongoing assistance for those affected by Hurricane Maria, which devastated the country September 20, 2017. Eighty people attended the event on Sept. 8 at the Yahveh Shalom Church of the Nazarene in Dominguito, Arecibo.

Dr. Monserrate A. Santos, director of the Integrated Crisis Intervention Program offered by the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration, taught a session entitled “Mental Health in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.” Bishop Ismael Ponce, the Care Ministries Director for the Mission Borad Church of God, shared in the session, “Pastoral Intervention in the Current Crisis in Puerto Rico.” Both speakers taught and challenged the participants to continue ministering to people in need, and they both shared resources in order to accomplish that goal.

“The participants expressed their satisfaction with the time they spent and left wanting to be able to take other trainings to help them work with people in crisis,” said Carmen Nuñez, NCM coordinator in the Puerto Rico West District. She added, “We thank God for the chance to be trained to help those in need on our island.”

Source: Carmen Nuñez, NCM Coordinator, Puerto Rico West District