Cheryl's story
"What Mary Andrews College taught me was that Pastoral Care is about supporting people in their faith, praying with them, sharing the Scriptures and walking with them in their journey," says Cheryl. "It's letting them know God does care."
Cheryl says the course gave her confidence in a general sort of way. "When you know your Bible more you are more confident in sharing with others," she says. "You are more confident of God's plans and purposes."
Today, Cheryl ministers at Hammond Care in the area of age care and she is presently a senior pastoral care worker specialising in ministry to high-care dementia patients. She loves it and her face lights up as she speaks of her ministry. "I get annoyed when people say that I shouldn't 'bother with these people as they wouldn't know anything anyway.'"
Cheryl finds the opportunities are amazing to share the good news of Jesus with people - often relatives who wouldn't be interested under different circumstances. Cheryl says that her course at Mary Andrews College as given her ways to sensitively take up opportunities to do that. She is never pushy but is always conscious and prayerful of when God might be opening up an opportunity. It is natural to share the hope that Jesus gives.
Cheryl said her training in pastoral care at Mary Andrews College was invaluable but it was also really beneficial to do the whole Diploma course. "I would recommend people doing that if they possibly can as it gives you such a good foundation. I still refer to my notes from the course."
When Cheryl first started at Mary Andrews College she had no idea how she would use her studies. She studied for four years part-time and is truly amazed at what God has done. What is an added bonus is that she loves every minute of it!
Go back to the Inspiring Stories of Students page to read other stories.