“We are all talented, necessary, and valuable” is the slogan that accompanies Adventist Possibility Ministries (APM). Under this slogan, the ministry has become a movement where the inclusion and appreciation of people with disabilities are priorities and fundamental pillars of the church.

In addition, APM Chile seeks to provide closeness and support to those who are going through difficult and painful situations that, in many cases, they face alone. Ministry leaders visited local Adventist churches in the country and discovered the need for a support area for people who suffer the loss of a baby and for those who are going through a complex illness, such as cancer.

This is why APM Chile has considered the creation of the OncoAyuda and Gestational Bereavement areas, which are added to the ministry's seven existing areas of focus: deaf, mental health and well-being, visual impairment, physical disability and reduced mobility, caregivers, bereavement, orphans and vulnerable children.

Gestational and Perinatal Grief

Gestational and perinatal grief is the grieving process experienced by parents and family members after the loss of a baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after birth. According to information provided by psychology professionals, this type of grief is often experienced silently and in isolation. Through the APM, this new area seeks to support parents who are living or have lived through this painful experience.

On Monday, August 19, the first Gestational Grief meeting will be held with parents, mothers, and family members who have or are experiencing this type of grief and/or want to be part of this ministry. This meeting will be attended by specialists in the area.

This area also seeks to support and give emotional and spiritual support to members or friends of the Adventist Church who suffer from some cancer, creating a space where they are allowed to express their emotions, learn to deal with them, and handle these difficult situations. In addition, it continues to educate church members in prevention and early detection.

APM Podcast

In addition, the ministry is preparing a podcast to address all the areas covered by APM from a professional and daily perspective, which will be broadcast in different episodes through APM Chile and the region's church social media channels.

Challenges and Mission

According to the report presented to us by ACMS, "62 churches with APM functioning in our national territory and 81 leaders supporting this ministry are currently in our territory,” says Waleska Blu, leader of APM Chile.

This represents a great challenge. As it is a new ministry, a few local churches are still developing it. “It is for this reason that we make an urgent and special call in the name of the Lord to equip leaders and churches with this ministry of the heart,” Blu emphasizes. Blu considers it important to “actively involve all members of the church in its programs and projects, with the purpose of having everyone participate in the evangelistic mission of the church, as instructed in Matthew 28:18-20,” she adds.

This ministry is not limited to an isolated department but seeks to integrate into all areas of the church, seeking and creating conditions to value, include, embrace, and love the neighbor who is part of this group of people with disabilities and/or who face situations that require emotional support. The goal is for this ministry to function in all churches.

The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish website.